Safety+Rules

= Safety Rules and Contract for the Middle School Science Classroom, = = 2017 - 2018 =

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. Conduct yourself responsibly at all times in the science room. Carelessness, haste or disregard of safety rules causes accidents. Learn these rules and follow them at all times to protect yourself, as well as your classmates. One set of these rules must be signed by you and by your parent. It will then be filed in the school office. **No student will be allowed to participate in science activities until this contract has been properly signed.** Another set of these rules is to be taped into your science notebook and reviewed often.
 * Inappropriate behavior from any student during any activity will result in the loss of lab privileges at any time.** **Additional safety instructions will be given orally at the start of each activity.**


 * General safety guidelines:**
 * 1) Know the location of all safety equipment: **fire extinguishers**, **fire blanket, eye wash station, broken glass bucket, goggles, safety aprons, fire alarm (in the hall near the double glass doors) and intercom**. Know what to do in case of an emergency situation, including a fire drill.
 * 2) Do not remove any science chemicals/equipment/supplies from the science room.
 * 3) No student may be in the science room without a teacher present. Never do an experiment without a teacher’s supervision. Do not touch any equipment or other materials in the science room without permission from the teacher.
 * 4) Follow all written and verbal directions carefully. Understand all directions BEFORE you begin an activity. Report any incorrect procedure to the teacher. Lab partners should double-check each other. When in doubt about any procedure, ASK.
 * 5) Keep the walkways clear. Store backpacks, etc. under the tables. Keep your work area on the tabletop free of all unnecessary materials.
 * 6) Do not wander around the room or distract anyone from his/her work. You may talk only to your lab partner. If you must get equipment, walk to get it, and then return immediately to your work table.
 * 7) NEVER throw anything in the classroom, even just to toss it to someone.
 * 8) Report all accidents, injuries or spills immediately to the teacher, no matter how small. A burn or cut needs to be rinsed under cold water immediately at the sink.
 * 9) Watch for any hazard around you and report any that you see to your teacher.
 * 10) Wear safety aprons, goggles, and plastic gloves when told to do so.
 * 11) If you know that you are allergic to certain plants, molds, or anything else, tell your teacher before doing an activity in which those things are used.
 * 12) Do not use chipped or cracked glassware. If something accidentally breaks, the teacher should be called over, and she will throw it out into the broken glassware bucket, never in the garbage can.
 * 13) Respect your neighbor’s property and take care of it as you do your own.
 * 14) Do not wear open-toed shoes in the lab. (These are not allowed in the school uniform policy anyway.)
 * 15) Handle scalpels with extreme care. Never cut material toward you; cuts should be made by moving the scalpel away from you. Any cut from a scalpel must be reported immediately to the teacher, no matter how small.
 * 16) Follow all microscope safety rules as given to you in 6th grade.
 * 17) Handle and use all equipment properly and safely. Follow all guidelines concerning its use.
 * 18) Report all broken equipment immediately to the teacher


 * Heat safety:**
 * 1) Never leave a hot plate or candle unattended. Turn them off or extinguish any flame when not in use.
 * 2) Do not reach over an open flame. Long sleeves should be rolled up over the elbow when near a flame. Tuck in all loose clothing when near a flame also.
 * 3) Girls, do not let long hair or any type of jewelry dangle over a flame or chemical. Ask for a rubber band to tie your hair back when we use lit candles or chemicals in the lab.
 * 4) Never point the mouth of a test tube toward anybody (including yourself) while it is heating.
 * 5) NEVER heat anything unless told to do so by the teacher, especially any closed container.
 * 6) Be aware of which items are hot and do not handle them with bare hands. Do not place hot glassware directly on the table – use a hot pad or test tube rack.
 * 7) Do not heat up glassware that is not thoroughly dry on the outside.


 * Chemical safety:**
 * 1) Consider all chemicals to be dangerous. This includes any ice that we might use in the class. Never eat or drink ANYTHING near chemicals, especially out of science glassware. NEVER taste and NEVER touch chemicals without permission from the teacher. NEVER smell anything in the science activities without specific instructions to do so. Only then can you wave the air above the substance toward you to smell it.
 * 2) Wash your hands with soap and water before leaving the classroom when chemicals, soil, mold, or preserved specimens have been used in the lab activity.
 * 3) Do not mix any chemicals that the teacher has not specifically allowed.
 * 4) Always use small amounts of any chemical. Immediately rinse any chemicals off your skin or clothing with cold water. Use chemicals/materials only from containers that are labeled.


 * Eye safety:**
 * 1) **Any time chemicals, glass, preserved specimens or heat are used, you must wear your safety goggles**.
 * 2) Never remove your goggles from your eyes during an activity. There are no exceptions to this rule. When in doubt when to wear goggles, ASK.
 * 3) Never look directly at any lamp or bright light. Especially, never look at the sun through a telescope or other lens. Damage to your eyes can occur without any pain.
 * 4) Keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth while using chemicals, soil, mold or preserved specimens.


 * Electrical safety:**
 * 1) Do not connect a wire directly between the positive and negative terminals of a battery. It could burn you.
 * 2) Whenever unplugging an electric cord, grasp the cord at the plug, not the wire. Make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical equipment or switches.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ I understand that these rules have been created for my protection as well as my classmates’ protection. I agree to follow them and do my part to help create a safe science classroom for everyone. My parent has read these rules and also agrees to them.
 * General cleanliness:**
 * 1) Follow the teacher’s instructions for disposal or return of all used materials/chemicals. The sink is to be used only for water and well-diluted liquids. Solid things are disposed of into waste containers.
 * 2) At the end of the class period, return all equipment clean and in good working order to the place where you got it. Clean your work area (wash off your table top and dry it) and return all equipment to its proper place before you leave.
 * 3) Safety gloves must be worn when handling once-living specimens.
 * 4) Wear a lab apron whenever you work with chemicals, soil, flames or preserved specimens.
 * 5) To avoid contamination, never return chemicals to their original containers.
 * 6) **Properly push in your chair under your table before leaving the classroom**.
 * Please sign and return this paper TOMORROW. Do NOT cut this bottom section off. Thank you!**

(student) date

(parent)