Safety Plan for the Biology Laboratory

General Laboratory Safety Rules:

1) Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

2) Follow all verbal and written instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding.

3) Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

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, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.

6) Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

7) Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory. NEVER fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

8) Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets and/or reports to the work area. Other materials should be stored in the classroom area.

9) Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under your desk when not in use.

10) Know the location and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and exits are located.

11) Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Read and reread labels. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.

12) Keep hands away from your face, eyes and mouth while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing an experiment. Clean, wipe, and dry all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of each experiment. Return all equipment clean and in proper working order to the proper storage area.

13) Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the experiments of others.

14) Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by the instructor.

15) Handle all living organisms used in the laboratory in a humane manner. Preserved biological materials are to be treated with respect and disposed of properly.

16) When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from the body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles.

17) Wear rubber gloves while cleaning all sharp equipment, such as knives.

18) Disposable gloves and forceps should be used during dissection to prevent physical contact. Do not touch your mouth, eyes, or any exposed body part while working with a specimen.

19) Never pipette by mouth.

20) When lighting a Bunsen burner with a match, light the match first and then slowly turn on the gas.

21) Always ADD ACID to water when diluting acid.

Laboratory Dress Code:

1) Anytime chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There are NO exceptions to this rule!

2) Contact lenses will NOT be worn in the laboratory unless you have specific permission by the instructor.

3) Dress properly during laboratory activity. Long hair, loose clothing, and dangling jewelry are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and jewelry and dangling clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals are allowed.

4) Lab aprons will be worn at all times during the laboratory period.

Emergency Procedures:

1) Report ANY accident or injury to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. If you or your lab partner are hurt get the instructors attention immediately.

2) If a chemical should splash in your eyes or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for 20 minutes.

3) When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be touched. Notify the instructor immediately.

4) Know what to do if there is a fire drill during the laboratory period: containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.

5) Notify the instructor immediately if a chemical is to spill. DO NOT touch it or attempt to clean it up yourself.

Consequences for Infractions:

1) A student will be warned verbally the first time a safety rule is broken.

2) The second time a student breaks a safety rule, they will lose points off of their laboratory grade for that period.

3) The third time a student breaks a safety rule they will be removed from the lab and a letter will be sent home to the student’s parents. The student may also receive a failing grade for that laboratory period.

4) The fourth time a student breaks a safety rule, the student will be permanently removed from the laboratory.

5) If any student intentionally endangers the welfare of another student, they will be removed from the lab period the first time and receive a failing grade for that lab period.

6) If a student intentionally endangers the welfare of another student a second time, they will be removed from the class permanently.

7) Unauthorized experiments will result in a failing grade for that laboratory period.

8) If an unauthorized experiment is conducted twice, the student will be permanently removed from the laboratory.