Flinn Scientific's Student Safety Contract

1

PURPOSE
Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You
will not be doing any laboratory activities
which require the use of hazardous
chemicals. This is physics, yet the contract
that we are supposed to give you is for
chemistry. That makes no freaking sense. Oh
well, you will probably just answer tell the
teacher on the safety quiz because thats
what you were trained to do. (Bad idea.)
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 science notebook as a constant
reminder that even though many things defy
common sense, you should not.
GENERAL RULES
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible man-
ner at all times in the laboratory.
2. Follow all written and verbal instruc-
tions carefully. If you do not understand
a direction or part of a procedure, ask the
instructor before proceeding.
3. Never work alone. Its kind of boring.
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, tape or scissors
in the laboratory. Do use food or
beverage containers for laboratory
glassware as reusing & recycling is
encouraged.
6. Perform only experiments that impress
the instructor. Never do anything in the
laboratory that you cannot justify with a
physics concept. Carefully construct
instructions and write them down.
Unauthorized experiments are
encouraged if you learn something.
7. Be prepared for your work in the labora-
tory. Plan procedures before entering
the laboratory.
8. Never fool around in the laboratory.
Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks
are dangerous and prohibited unless they
are your assignment.
9. Observe good housekeeping practices.
Work areas should be kept clean and tidy
at all times. Other materials (books,
purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored
in the classroom area.
10. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under
the desk when not in use.
11. Know the locations and operating proce-
dures of all safety equipment including
the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety
shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blan-
ket. Know where the fire alarm and the
exits are located.
12. Always obtain permission from your
instructor before using power tools.
Remove all blades, bits, etc. before
storing power tools.
13. Be alert and proceed with caution at all
times in the laboratory. Notify the
instructor immediately of any unsafe
conditions you observe. Then fix the
situation.
14. Dispose of all waste properly.
Never put gum, liquid or other gross
things in the recycling bins. Doing so
could cause the ecoclub members who
to empty the bins to injury you while
in the laboratory.
15. 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.
16. Keep scissors, lighters and pointy
objects away from your face, eyes,
mouth and body while using chemicals
or preserved specimens. Wash your
hands with soap and water after doing
something gross. Clean all work
surfaces and apparatus at the end of the
experiment. Return all equipment clean
and in working order to the proper stor-
age area.
17. Experiments must be personally moni-
tored 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 labo-
ratory experiments of others unless
invited to do so.
18. Students are never permitted in the
science storage rooms or preparation
areas unless given specific permission
by their instructor.
19. 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 electri-
cal equipment turned off.
20. Handle all living organisms used in a
laboratory activity in a humane manner.
This means that any freshman involved
in an experiment should be advised that
he/she is not required to help you. Under
no circumstance should objects be thrown
off of the balcony at a freshman.
21. When using knives and other
sharp instruments (including scissors,)
always carry with tips and points
pointing down and away. Never try to
catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp
sharp instruments only by the handles.
Do not run with or throw scissors.

22. If you have a medical condition (e.g.,
allergies, pregnancy, etc.), check with
your physician prior to working in lab.
CLOTHING
23. Any time you create sawdust with a
power tool you will wear safety
glasses.
24. Contact lenses that make you have creepy
looking zombie eyes should not be worn
in the laboratory unless you warn your
instructor first.
25. Dress properly during a laboratory activ-
ity. 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. Shoes
must completely cover the foot. Sandals
are a bad idea.
26. You should never, at anytime, be on
fire. Being on fire will result in a
failing grade for the course.
ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
27. Report any accident (spill, breakage,
etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the
instructor immediately after you
prevent further damage to the best of
your ability (ex. If the instructor is on
fire, extinguish them THEN tell
another instructor.).
28. Do not hurt your lab partner!
Communicate clearly and be aware of
each others location when working on a
project.
29. Remember, stupid hurts.
HANDLING MATERIALS
30. Foaming polyurethane glue will
attach skin to table tops and could
therefore rip off the attached skin. Thus
this type of glue is prohibited in the
laboratory. If you see this type of glue or
notice a classmate attached to a table,
notify the instructor immediately.
31. Never cut duct tape with scissors.
32. Be advised--Tape sticks to skin and
pulls out hair.



Flinn Scientific's Student Safety Contract
1


HANDLING EQUIPMENT
33.When removing an electrical plug
From a socket, grasp the plug not the
cord. Hands should be dry when
touching a socket. No liquid should come
in contact with a plugged in tool or
appliance.
34. When working with a bench power
supply be aware of the situation. If a
component is overly hot or if you smell
melting plastic unplug everything and
tell the instructor.
35. Report damaged electrical equipment
immediately. Look for things such as
frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose
connections. Do not use damaged
electrical equipment.
36. Fill water bottles only from the
water fountain. The water from the
laboratory sinks is kind of nasty.

37. Hand scissors and other sharp objects to
someone else like this:








NOT like this:


QUESTIONS
38. Do you wear contact lenses?
YES NO

39. Are you color blind?
YES NO

40. Do you have allergies?
YES NO

If yes, 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 stu- dents
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 con-
tract that results in unsafe conduct in
the laboratory or misbehavior on my
part, may result in being removed
from the laboratory, detention, receiv-
ing a failing grade, and/or dismissal
from the course.


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 class-
room/laboratory environment.
With the cooperation of the instruc-
tors, 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 labora-
tory work. Please read the list of safety
rules above. No student will be permit-
ted 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 indi-
cates that you have read this Student
Safety Contract, are aware of the mea-
sures taken to ensure the safety of

YES NO your son/daughter in the science labo-
cal cord. Hands must be completely dry 57. Are you color blind?
ratory, and will instruct your son/
before touching an electrical switch,
plug, or outlet.
YES NO
daughter to uphold his/her agreement
to follow these rules and procedures
45. Examine glassware before each use.
58. Do you have allergies? in the laboratory.
Never use chipped or cracked glassware. YES NO
Never use dirty glassware.
46.

1
Modified from the original Flinn Contract
If so, list specific allergies ___________
________________________________
________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature