Athens Academy Student Safety Contract

Athens Academy Human Biology Student Safety Contract 2010-2011

Purpose: Science involves doing experiments which may require the use of hazardous chemicals, high heat, and/or live organisms. Safety is our first priority. The following list of rules must be followed to keep everyone safe. Read it, sign it, have your parents sign it.

If at any time a student violates these rules, it is unlikely he/she will not be allowed to complete the experiment, and will suffer a significant loss of credit on the write-up of the experiment.

General Guidelines: 1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. 2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. 3. Never work alone except when using microscopes. No student is allowed in the lab without the instructor. 4. Do not eat food, drink beverages or chew gum in the laboratory unless allowed specifically by the teacher. 5. Perform only authorized experiments. 6. Be prepared before you enter the lab with equipment needed such as computer, calculator, pencil, instructions, etc. 7. No horseplay, jokes or pranks 8. Keep your area clean at all times. Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving. 9. Keep aisles clear. Push unused stools under the cabinet. 10. Know all the safety equipment. Fire blanket, fire extinguisher, eye wash, shower, exits, fire alarm. 11. Use a fume hood when required. 12. Notify your instructor immediately when there is an accident or if unsafe conditions have arisen. 13. Dispose of all chemicals as instructed by your teacher. 14. Label all equipment clearly. Write labels on tape and not on the glassware. 15. Always wear goggles and an apron. Latex gloves may also be required. 16. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body when using chemicals. 17. Do not wander. Stay with your experiment and don’t bother other lab groups. 18. No students are permitted in the prep room at any time unless directed there by the teacher. 19. Students with long hair need to tie it back. 20. If you get a chemical on you, rinse it immediately. Notify your teacher if you need to use the shower or eyewash. A more serious spill may require 20 minutes of rinsing. 21. Live animals and plants will be treated with respectful concern for their comfort. Always follow your instructor’s directions to the letter when dealing with live organisms. 22. Although no known pathogenic organisms will ever be used in our labs, and the bacteria and fungi we do use are “friendly,” to be on the safe side, we will always treat them as if they were dangerous. So follow directions and sterile procedures carefully, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling microorganisms.

Chemicals: 1. All chemicals are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. 2. Check all labels twice to make sure you are using the right chemical. 3. Never return used chemicals to their original containers unless specifically instructed to do so. 4. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the container away from your body. 5. Always add acid to water to prevent splattering. 6. Never remove chemicals from the laboratory.

Equipment and Glassware Handling 1. Never handle broken glassware. Your teacher will take charge of cleaning up broken glassware. 2. Place all equipment neatly back where your teacher instructs. 3. Be aware that ring stands and wire rings, etc. may be hot. Wait until they cool. 4. When removing an electrical plug, grasp the plug, not the cord. 5. When using your computer for an experiment, make sure chemicals are far away from your computer. 6. If you do not know how to use a piece of equipment, ask your teacher. 7. Never leave a burning Bunsen burner alone. 8. Never look into a container that is being heated. Questions:

1. Do you wear contact lenses? ______yes ______no 2. Are you allergic to ammonia or iodine or anything else? Do you use an EpiPen?

______

3. Is there other information your teacher should know before you do experiments?

Agreement

I,______, (student’s name) have read and agree to follow all the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to insure 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, after-school detention, receiving a failing grade on the lab, and/or temporary dismissal from the class.

______Student Signature ______Date

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 Contract, are aware of the measures taken to insure the safety of your son/ daughter in the science laboratory, and will instruct and support your son/daughter in upholding his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the laboratory.

______Parent or Guardian Signature ______Date