1. Flinn Scientific’s Student Safety Contract
PURPOSE 11. Know the locations and operating proce- 21. When using knives and other sharp
dures of all safety equipment including instruments, always carry with tips and
Science is a hands-on laboratory class. the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety points pointing down and away. Always
You will be doing many laboratory activi- shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blan- cut away from your body. Never try to
ties which require the use of hazardous ket. Know where the fire alarm and the catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp
chemicals. Safety in the science classroom exits are located. sharp instruments only by the handles.
is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and
parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, 12. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Use 22. If you have a medical condition (e.g.,
a list of rules has been developed and pro- the fume hood when working with volatile allergies, pregnancy, etc.), check with
vided to you in this student safety contract. substances or poisonous vapors. Never your physician prior to working in lab.
These rules must be followed at all times. place your head into the fume hood.
Two copies of the contract are provided. One 13. Be alert and proceed with caution at CLOTHING
copy must be signed by both you and a par- all times in the laboratory. Notify the 23. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware
ent or guardian before you can participate instructor immediately of any unsafe are used, students will wear laboratory
in the laboratory. The second copy is to be conditions you observe. goggles. There will be no exceptions to
kept in your science notebook as a constant this rule!
14. Dispose of all chemical waste properly.
reminder of the safety rules. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. 24. Contact lenses should not be worn in the
Sinks are to be used only for water and laboratory unless you have permission
GENERAL RULES those solutions designated by the instruc- from your instructor.
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible man- tor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, 25. Dress properly during a laboratory activ-
ner at all times in the laboratory. filter paper, and all other insoluble mate- ity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and
rials are to be disposed of in the proper loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in
2. Follow all written and verbal instruc- waste containers, not in the sink. Check the laboratory. Long hair must be tied
tions carefully. If you do not understand the label of all waste containers twice back and dangling jewelry and loose or
a direction or part of a procedure, ask the before adding your chemical waste to baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes
instructor before proceeding. the container. must completely cover the foot. No san-
3. Never work alone. No student may work 15. Labels and equipment instructions must dals allowed.
in the laboratory without an instructor be read carefully before use. Set up and 26. Lab aprons have been provided for your
present. use the prescribed apparatus as directed use and should be worn during labora-
in the laboratory instructions or by your tory activities.
4. When first entering a science room, do instructor.
not touch any equipment, chemicals, or ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
other materials in the laboratory area 16. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth
and body while using chemicals or pre- 27. Report any accident (spill, breakage,
until you are instructed to do so.
served specimens. Wash your hands etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the
5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or with soap and water after performing instructor immediately, no matter how
chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use all experiments. Clean all work surfaces trivial it may appear.
laboratory glassware as containers for and apparatus at the end of the experi- 28. If you or your lab partner are hurt, imme-
food or beverages. ment. Return all equipment clean and diately yell out “Code one, Code one” to
6. Perform only those experiments autho- in working order to the proper storage get the instructor’s attention.
rized by the instructor. Never do anything area.
29. If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or
in the laboratory that is not called for in 17. Experiments must be personally moni- on your skin, immediately flush with
the laboratory procedures or by your tored at all times. You will be assigned running water from the eyewash station
instructor. Carefully follow all instruc- a laboratory station at which to work. or safety shower for at least 20 minutes.
tions, both written and oral. Unauthorized Do not wander around the room, distract Notify the instructor immediately.
experiments are prohibited. other students, or interfere with the labo-
30. When mercury thermometers are broken,
ratory experiments of others.
7. Be prepared for your work in the labo- mercury must not be touched. Notify the
ratory. Read all procedures thoroughly 18. Students are never permitted in the instructor immediately.
before entering the laboratory. science storage rooms or preparation
areas unless given specific permission HANDLING CHEMICALS
8. Never fool around in the laboratory. by their instructor. 31. All chemicals in the laboratory are to
Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks be considered dangerous. Do not touch,
19. Know what to do if there is a fire drill
are dangerous and prohibited. during a laboratory period; containers taste, or smell any chemicals unless spe-
9. Observe good housekeeping practices. must be closed, gas valves turned off, cifically instructed to do so. The proper
Work areas should be kept clean and tidy fume hoods turned off, and any electri- technique for smelling chemical fumes
at all times. Bring only your laboratory cal equipment turned off. will be demonstrated to you.
instructions, worksheets, and/or reports 20. Handle all living organisms used in a 32. Check the label on chemical bottles
to the work area. Other materials (books, laboratory activity in a humane man- twice before removing any of the con-
purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored ner. Preserved biological materials are tents. Take only as much chemical as
in the classroom area. to be treated with respect and disposed you need.
10. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under of properly. 33. Never return unused chemicals to their
the desk when not in use. original containers.
“Your Safer Source P.O. Box 219, Batavia, IL 60510
1-800-452-1261 • Fax: (866) 452-1436
for Science Supplies” flinn@flinnsci.com • www.flinnsci.com
© 2011, Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced for one-time use with permission from Flinn Scientific, Inc. Batavia, Illinois, U.S.A. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including, but not limited to photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.
IN10494

2. Flinn Scientific’s Student Safety Contract
34. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. connections. Do not use damaged elec-
Use a rubber bulb or pipet pump. trical equipment. AGREEMENT
35. When transferring reagents from one 47. If you do not understand how to use a I, ___________________________
container to another, hold the containers piece of equipment, ask the instructor for , _______________ (student’s name)
away from your body. help. have read and agree to follow all of the
36. Acids must be handled with extreme 48. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold safety rules set forth in this contract.
care. You will be shown the proper water; it may shatter. I realize that I must obey these rules
method for diluting strong acids. Always to ensure my own safety, and that of
add acid to water, swirl or stir the solu- HEATING SUBSTANCES my fellow students and instructors. I
tion and be careful of the heat produced, 49. Exercise extreme caution when using a will cooperate to the fullest extent with
particularly with sulfuric acid. gas burner. Take care that hair, clothing my instructor and fellow students to
and hands are a safe distance from the maintain a safe lab environment. I will
37. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over also closely follow the oral and written
a pan to contain spills. Never dispense flame at all times. Do not put any sub-
stance into the flame unless specifically instructions provided by the instructor.
flammable liquids anywhere near an open I am aware that any violation of this
flame or source of heat. instructed to do so. Never reach over an
exposed flame. Light gas (or alcohol) safety contract that results in unsafe
38. Never remove chemicals or other materi- conduct in the laboratory or misbe-
burners only as instructed by the teacher.
als from the laboratory area. havior on my part, may result in being
50. Never leave a lit burner unattended. removed from the laboratory, deten-
39. Take great care when transporting acids
Never leave anything that is being heated tion, receiving a failing grade, and/or
and other chemicals from one part of
or is visibly reacting unattended. Always dismissal from the course.
the laboratory to another. Hold them
turn the burner or hot plate off when not
securely and walk carefully.
in use.
HANDLING GLASSWARE 51. You will be instructed in the proper Student Signature
AND EQUIPMENT method of heating and boiling liquids
in test tubes. Do not point the open end Date
40. Carry glass tubing, especially long of a test tube being heated at yourself or
pieces, in a vertical position to minimize anyone else. Dear Parent or Guardian:
the likelihood of breakage and injury.
52. Heated metals and glass remain very hot We feel that you should be informed
41. Never handle broken glass with your for a long time. They should be set aside
bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to regarding the school’s effort to create
to cool and picked up with caution. Use and maintain a safe science classroom/
clean up broken glass. Place broken or tongs or heat-protective gloves if neces-
waste glassware in the designated glass laboratory environment.
sary.
disposal container. With the cooperation of the instructors,
53. Never look into a container that is being parents, and students, a safety instruc-
42. Inserting and removing glass tubing heated.
from rubber stoppers can be danger- tion program can eliminate, prevent,
ous. Always lubricate glassware (tub- 54. Do not place hot apparatus directly on and correct possible hazards.
ing, thistle tubes, thermometers, etc.) the laboratory desk. Always use an insu- You should be aware of the safety
before attempting to insert it in a stop- lating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot instructions your son/daughter will
per. Always protect your hands with apparatus to cool before touching it. receive before engaging in any labora-
towels or cotton gloves when inserting 55. When bending glass, allow time for the tory work. Please read the list of safety
glass tubing into, or removing it from, glass to cool before further handling. rules above. No student will be per-
a rubber stopper. If a piece of glassware Hot and cold glass have the same visual mitted to perform laboratory activities
becomes “frozen” in a stopper, take it to appearance. Determine if an object is hot unless this contract is signed by both
your instructor for removal. by bringing the back of your hand close the student and parent/guardian and is
to it prior to grasping it. on file with the teacher.
43. Fill wash bottles only with distilled
water and use only as intended, e.g., rins- Your signature on this contract indi-
ing glassware and equipment, or adding QUESTIONS cates that you have read this Student
water to a container. 56. Do you wear contact lenses? Safety Contract, are aware of the
44. When removing an electrical plug from Ȟ YES Ȟ NO measures taken to ensure the safety
of your son/daughter in the science
its socket, grasp the plug, not the elec- 57. Are you color blind? laboratory, and will instruct your son/
trical cord. Hands must be completely Ȟ YES Ȟ NO daughter to uphold his/her agreement
dry before touching an electrical switch,
to follow these rules and procedures
plug, or outlet. 58. Do you have allergies?
in the laboratory.
45. Examine glassware before each use. Ȟ YES Ȟ NO
Never use chipped or cracked glassware. If so, list specific allergies __________
Never use dirty glassware. Parent/Guardian Signature
46. Report damaged electrical equipment _______________________________
immediately. Look for things such as Date
frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose _______________________________
“Your Safer Source P.O. Box 219, Batavia, IL 60510
1-800-452-1261 • Fax: (866) 452-1436
for Science Supplies” flinn@flinnsci.com • www.flinnsci.com
© 2011, Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced for one-time use with permission from Flinn Scientific, Inc. Batavia, Illinois, U.S.A. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including, but not limited to photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.
IN10494