Laboratory Safety Procedures &Contract

 

Physics 311 -- Teaching High School Physics

Physics Teacher Education Program

Illinois State University

Carl J. Wenning, Program Director

 

  1. Do not touch laboratory equipment until informed to do so by your teacher.
  2. Do not begin the lab until your instructor tells you to do so.
  3. DO ONLY THOSE EXPERIMENTS ASSIGNED OR APPROVED BY YOUR TEACHER. UNAUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTS ARE PROHIBITED.
  4. Only materials and equipment authorized by your instructor should be used.
  5. The science storage rooms are off limits to students, except when specific approval is given by the teacher in charge.
  6. Never work alone in the laboratory. A teacher must be present and aware of what you are doing at all times.
  7. Listen carefully for any special instructions or warnings given by the teacher as part of the introduction to the lab exercise.
  8. Work quietly so that you can hear any announcements concerning procedures or safety.
  9. Students should prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions beforehand. Follow all instructions precisely and intelligently. Make note of any deviations announced by your instructor.
  10. All accidents should be reported to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor they may appear.
  11. Flames or operating hot plates should never be left unattended.
  12. Flammable liquids are NEVER dispensed near open flames.
  13. Allow sufficient time for hot materials to cool. Remember, hot objects look just like cool objects.
  14. When working with electrical circuits, be sure that the current is turned off before making any changes in the circuit. Make sure your hands, body, and work area are dry whenever working with live circuits.
  15. If you are connecting a voltmeter or ammeter to a circuit, have your teacher approve the connections before turning current on.
  16. Do not connect the terminals of a dry cell, battery, or power supply to each other with a wire. Such a wire can become dangerously hot.
  17. Chemical goggles should be used when working with dangerous chemicals, hot liquids or solids, radioactive materials, and other potential sources of splashes, spills, or spattering.
  18. Labels and equipment instructions should be read before using. Be sure that you are using the correct items and that you know how to use them.
  19. Do not force glass tubing or a thermometer into a dry rubber stopper. The hole and glass should be lubricated with glycerin (glycerol) or soapy water, and the glass should be gripped through a paper towel to the protect hands should breakage occur.
  20. If a thermometer breaks, inform your teacher immediately. Do not allow the mercury to come into contact with your skin.
  21. Students should note the location of the emergency shower, eye and face wash fountain, fire blanket, and fire extinguishers and know how to use them.
  22. Students should know the proper fire drill procedure.
  23. Long sleeves should be rolled up above the wrists. Ties, coats, and sweaters should be removed. Long hair should be tied back during laboratory, especially when an open flame is nearby.
  24. Student apparel should be appropriate for laboratory work. Long handing necklaces, bulky jewelry, and excessive or bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory.
  25. Footwear that completely covers the foot is highly recommended. Footwear, at the very least, should be hard-soled. NEVER go barefoot in the laboratory.
  26. No food, beverages, gum, or candy is permitted in any laboratory.
  27. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy.
  28. Students should always clean, and wipe dry, all desks, tables, or laboratory work areas at the conclusion of each lab activity.
  29. Do not climb on lab furniture without prior permission from the teacher.
  30. Water, gas, and electricity must be turned off when finished.
  31. Students must return equipment to its original placement so that the instructor can inventory and remove items quickly.
  32. Students are financially responsible for lost or broken equipment that results from carelessness or misuse.
  33. NEVER engage in horseplay or practical jokes. Do not throw or compete for equipment or any other items. Remember at all times that the laboratory is a place of serious work.

 

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE RULES WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL OF THE STUDENT FROM THE LABORATORY.

 

------ Read, sign, and date and return to your course instructor. -------

 

I, , have read the above Laboratory Safety Procedures, and they have been clearly explained to me by Mr. Wenning, my physics course instructor. I agree to abide by all these Procedures and understand that failure to follow the rules as set fort will result in my immediate dismissal from the laboratory.

 

 

signature date

Return to Safety in the Class, Lab, & Storeroom.