Laboratory safety rules/contract :

The following set of rules are designed to keep you and your classmates safe and to have a successful lab experience. The importance of these rules can not be overstated. These rules must be adhered to and will be strictly enforced. To that end I expect you and your parents to sign and return the form below to contract with the school to abide by these rules.

Laboratory Safety Rules

1. Use common sense - think about where you place things - especially glassware, hot objects and open flames.
2. Follow the written lab procedure - laboratory activity at this level is not meant to be creative. Improper combinations or amounts of chemicals can be very dangerous. If you want to be creative wait until you are a research chemist. Ask if you are unsure of the correct procedure.
3. Take your time read instructions and labels carefully to avoid mistakes (many chemical formulas are similar to each other), stay on task, and stay in your assigned work area.
4. Do not leave Bunsen burners on unless attended.
5. Goggles must be worn at all times in the lab. Chemical Lab Aprons are required for most labs. 
6. Know how to use the safety equipment and where it is in the lab.
7. Keep long hair and clothing tied back or tucked in to avoid flames and knocking over glassware.
8. No eating, drinking or chewing of anything in the lab - it is too easy to transfer chemicals from the hands to the mouth by doing these things (technically, any food which enters a chemistry lab is to be reclassified as chemicals and not for consumption).
9. Feet are not to be exposed in the lab. Students failing to bring socks will be required to purchase ($3) socks if they wish to participate in the lab. 
10. Seats or stools are not to be used during labs - students need to be mobile to avoid possible spills and are not to place themselves under the edge of the lab bench where chemicals may spill.
11. Keep work area neat put away all equipment after labs.
12. Inspect equipment often for damage - dispose of broken glass only in the container for broken glass.
13. When heating a test tube never point it at anyone.
14. Do not put any solids in the sink unless told to do so.
15. Dispose of chemicals as instructed by the teacher.
16. Never return chemicals to stock supplies to avoid contamination.
17. Immediately report spills, accidents or injuries.
18. Wipe and dry work area after to clean up possible chemical contamination.
19. Wash hands before leaving the lab.

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Laboratory Safety Contract

I have read and understand these rules and agree to abide by them to ensure a safe experience in Chemistry.

Please return the bottom portion of this form.  Students may not participate in the lab without this contract on file.

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