Preston Jr. High—Biology Department

Biology Department

Preston's Phone: 488-7300

michellb@psdschools.org

dfremain@psdschools.org

dwidhalm@psdschools.org

Lab Safety

The science laboratory policies and safety rules are for the safety of the student as well as the safety of others and the equipment used.  Students and parents should make themselves aware of the following policies and rules and the accompanying consequences.  Violation of any of the below mentioned rules may result in point reduction and/or temporary or permanent expulsion of the student from the science lab at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Lab Policies

· No student is allowed in the lab unless accompanied by a teacher

· Upon entering the lab or lab situation students should proceed to the assigned area and remain there until further instruction

· No students are allowed in the stock preparation room at any time.

· All students in a lab group are responsible for equipment, cleanliness, area.  No member of a group will be allowed to leave the lab until the area is clean, materials returned and the assigned sink is cleared.

· At no time are groups to borrow or trade equipment with other groups.  If groups are in need of supplies, the instructor should be notified.

· Movement in the lab is restricted to travel to travel to and from the supply area.

· Students are not to handle any equipment in the lab which is not being used for the lab for that particular day.

· No food, drinks, or gum are allowed in the lab at any time.

· Absolutely no horseplay, rowdy behavior, or running allowed in the lab at any time

 

Lab Safety

             Preparing for Lab:

· Any assigned pre-lab activity must be completed before a student will be allowed to perform a lab

· Lab tables should be cleared of all books and unnecessary materials prior to beginning any lab.

· Long hair and loose sleeves should secured before beginning any lab.

· Safety goggles must be worn whenever flame or chemicals are used.  Eyeglasses are not substitutes for goggles.

· It is best not to wear contact lenses when working with chemicals.  Be sure and inform your instructor if you do wear contact lenses so that appropriate goggles can be worn.

Performing in the Lab:

· Use proper microscope procedure at all times.  Any broken microscopes or microscope parts will be charged to each member of the group.

· Never change or alter lab procedures.  Read directions carefully.

· Gas jet are to remain off and only used when instructed to do so.

· Report any broken equipment, glass, or spilled chemical  immediately to your instructor.  Never dispose of glass or chemicals into the lab sinks or trash cans.

· Never dismantle anything for any reason in the lab.

· If you feel faint or sick, remain seated, put your head down and tell a lab partner or instructor immediately.

· Report any accident, no matter how small, to your instructor immediately!

 

             Fire Safety:

Never heat a closed container.

When using electrical equipment….

· be sure that equipment is not near or in water

· unplug instruments by pulling the plug not the cord

· do not insert foreign objects into the outlet

· be sure that cords do not create tripping hazards

In case of fire……..

· use wet paper towel for small fires

· use fire blanket or extinguisher for large fires

· know the location of the extinguisher and the fire exit evacuation plan.

If clothing catches fire…never run.  Stop, drop and roll.

For any burn emergency, the immediate first aid treatment is to submerge the are in cold water

 

Chemical Safety:

· Never mix chemicals unless instructed to do so.  Follow lab procedure carefully

· Never taste or smell chemicals and avoid skin contact with chemicals.

· Read chemicals labels CAREFULLY.  Many chemical formulas look similar.  Never use an unknown, unlabeled chemical.

· Dispose of all chemicals is designated areas.  Never dispose of chemicals in the lab sinks unless instructed to do so from your instructor.

· Report any chemical spill immediately to your instructor.

· If a chemical comes in contact with skin, wash the area with copious amounts of cold water.  Eye wash bottles are available from your instructor in a chemical splashes into your eye.

· Micropipettes are never to be used as water guns.

 

Live or Preserved Specimens

· Treat all organisms, alive or preserved, as if they were harmful.  Use aseptic technique at all times….wash hands before and after any handling.

· Treat all specimens with respect and dignity.

· Do not dispose of animal parts or waste into lab sinks.

There is a fine distinction between dissection and mutilation.  Any student that crosses that line will lose the privilege of working with specimens the remainder of the year.