Physics is a hands-on laboratory class.
Proper
behavior in the laboratory is essential to the well being and academic
achievement
of all students participating in the course. Safety in the science
classroom
is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a
safe
science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to
you
in this student safety contract. These rules must be followed at all
times.
Two copies of the contract are provided. One copy must be signed by
both
you and a parent or guardian before you can participate in the
laboratory.
The second copy is to be kept in your Physics laboratory notebook as a
constant
reminder of the safety rules.
Laboratory Procedures and Safety Rules
General Guidelines
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the
laboratory.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not
understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor
before proceeding.
3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an
instructor present.
4. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment,
chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are
instructed to do so.
5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do
not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never
do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory
procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions,
both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.
7. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures
thoroughly before entering the laboratory. Never fool around in the
laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and
prohibited.
8. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean
and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions,
worksheets, notebook, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials
(books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored in the classroom
area.
9. Keep aisles clear. Push the desks to the middle of the room before
beginning each lab session. At the end of each lab, return the desks to
their original positions.
10. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment
including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire
extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits
are located.
11. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory.
Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.
12. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before
use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the
laboratory instructions or by your instructor.
13. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be
assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around
the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory
experiments of others.
14. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or
preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor.
15. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory
period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods
turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.
16. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with
tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body.
Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp sharp instruments
only by the handles.
Clothing
17. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear
laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
18. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have
permission from your instructor.
19. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling
jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory.
Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy
clothing must be secured. Long pants must be worn during laboratories.
Shorts and skirts are not permitted. Shirts must cover the midriff.
Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals
allowed.
Accidents and Injuries
20. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn,
etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may
appear.
21. If you or your lab partner is hurt, immediately yell out "Code one,
Code one" to get the instructor's attention.
22. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin,
immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety
shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately.
Handling Glassware and Equipment
23. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position
to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury.
24. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and
dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste glassware in
the designated glass disposal container.
25. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug,
not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching
an
electrical switch, plug, or outlet.
26. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked
glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
27. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things
such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use
damaged electrical equipment.
28. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the
instructor for help.
29. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
Heating Substances
30. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care that
hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all
times. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically
instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame. Light gas
burners only as instructed by the teacher.
31. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is
being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner
or
hot plate off when not in use.
32. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. They
should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or
heat-protective gloves if necessary.
33. Never look into a container that is being heated.
34. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk. Always
use an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to
cool before touching it.
Questions
35. Do you wear contact lenses?
YES ______
NO ______
36. Are you color blind?
YES ______
NO ______
37. Do you have allergies?
YES ______
NO ______
If so, list specific allergies
Agreement
I, ________________________________________________________, (student’s
name) have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth
in
this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to ensure my own
safety, and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will
cooperate to the
fullest extent with my instructor and fellow students to maintain a
safe
lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written
instructions
provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this
safety
contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or
misbehavior
on my part, may result in being removed from the laboratory, detention,
receiving
a failing grade, and/or dismissal from the course.
________________________________________
Student Signature
____________________________
Date
Narraguagus High School
Physics Laboratory Procedures and Safety Contract
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to
create and maintain a
safe science classroom/laboratory environment.
With the cooperation of the instructors, parents, and students, a
safety instruction program
can eliminate, prevent, and correct possible hazards.
You should be aware of the safety instructions your son/daughter will
receive before
engaging in any laboratory work. Please read the list of safety rules
above. No student will
be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless this contract is
signed by both the
student and parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher.
Your signature on this contract indicates that you have read this
Student Safety Contract,
are aware of the measures taken to ensure the safety of your
son/daughter in the science
laboratory, and will instruct your son/daughter to uphold his/her
agreement to follow these
rules and procedures in the laboratory.
_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
___________________________
Date
