Science Department Safety Rules

General Classroom Conduct and Personal Safety

  • Food, Drink, and Oral Hygiene Prohibitions:

    • Do not eat or drink inside a science classroom.
    • Keep hands and all other objects away from your mouth.
    • Specifically prohibited actions include eating, chewing gum, biting nails, biting writing utensils, and tasting any materials.

  • Behavioral Guidelines:

    • Maintain quiet and orderly behavior at all times during laboratory periods.
    • Strictly avoid disruptive behaviors, including running, pushing, being silly, or similar actions.
    • Do not throw any objects in a laboratory, regardless of how small the object may be.

  • Facility and Equipment Interaction:

    • Do not play with any gas valves, sink spouts, or taps.

  • Health Disclosures:

    • Inform your teacher of any medical allergies you may have prior to participating.

Personal Protective Equipment and Dress Code

  • Eye Protection:

    • Wear appropriate eye protection whenever conducting an experiment or observing a lab demonstration.

  • Attire and Hair Requirements:

    • Wear protective clothing while performing experiments.
    • Tie back long hair securely during experimental procedures.
    • Footwear restrictions: Open-toed shoes, sandals, slippers, or similar footwear are strictly forbidden in the lab.

Workstation Setup and Experimental Conduct

  • Procedure Preparation:

    • Ensure that you fully understand all safe procedures prior to attempting any experiment.

  • Workplace Organization:

    • Minimize clutter in the experimental space.
    • Leave personal bags at your desk and work strictly along the outside of the lab bench.

  • Body Posture:

    • Always stand while performing experiments.

Chemical and Equipment Handling Precautions

  • Chemical Handling and Dispensing:

    • Use separate, dedicated scoops for proper chemical handling.
    • Replace container lids immediately after dispensing chemicals.
    • Measure and take only the exact amount of chemical needed for the experiment.

  • Heating and Flame Safety:

    • Never leave a Bunsen Burner or any other open flame unattended.
    • Never point a test tube toward anyone while heating a liquid inside it.

  • Material Transport:

    • Never carry hot equipment or chemicals through a crowd or congestion of students.

Clean-Up, Waste Management, and Disposals

  • Cooling Requirements:

    • Allow all hot materials to cool thoroughly before attempting disposal.

  • Workstation Housekeeping:

    • Clean your work station completely before leaving the lab.
    • Remove all solid items and debris from sinks and drains.

  • Chemical and Glassware Disposal Protocols:

    • Dispose of all chemicals strictly according to teacher instructions.
    • Never return unused chemical portions back to their original supply containers.
    • Place all broken or cracked glassware into specially marked disposal containers.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Management

  • Defect and Damage Reporting:

    • Report all broken glass or defective equipment to the teacher immediately.

  • Accident and Spill Protocols:

    • Report all accidents (including chemical spills) to the teacher immediately, regardless of how minor they may appear.
    • If a chemical or substance spills on your body or clothing, immediately flush the affected area under the tap.

  • Emergency Equipment and Communication:

    • Know the precise location and correct operational use of all safety equipment in the laboratory.
    • If the teacher is incapacitated or unable to respond to a situation, dial "555" on the classroom telephone. Clearly explain the emergency situation to the recipient and await further instruction and/or help.