Safety+Plan+and+Safety+Contract

The first class will always have time devoted to discussing classroom and lab safety with the students. (a) All students will be given a lab safety contract that they must take home and read and jointly sign with a parent and guardian. i. Students may not participate in any laboratory activity until the signed contract is brought in a given to the teacher. (b) Any students that enter the class after the first day must be briefed on safety and must complete the same form before they may participate in any laboratory work. (c) The lab safety contract will also have a section devoted to the disclosure of any allergies or pertinent medical conditions that may affect laboratory work. Furthermore, before any laboratory activity the teacher will describe the potential risks associated with the activity and provide specific details on appropriate responses to possible injuries.
 * 1.** **Ensuring student knowledge of safe procedures and potential hazards.**

Students have read and signed a contract agreeing to follow the safety rules provided to them. They will be reminded of this fact, along with important rules pertaining to the activity that they are to work on. Students who do not follow the rules will be subject to dismissal from the lab activity and appropriate disciplinary action.
 * 2.** **Managing student behaviors.**

The teacher will always be present during lab activities. The teacher will never leave the room while students are working with potentially harmful materials. The teacher will always be circulating the room providing, instruction, guidance, and assistance. If the teacher must leave the room an appropriate supervisor will be in place to monitor the safety of the students.
 * 3.** **Ensuring continuous and proper supervision of students.**

(a) Learn where the safety equipment is located (fire blankets, extinguishers & eyewash) and learn how to use it. (b) Know where exits are located and what to do in the case of a fire drill. (c) Know the location and procedure of the emergency evacuation plans (fire and lock downs). (d) Notify the teacher if any safety equipment has been lost, stolen, or damaged.
 * 4.** **Maintaining safety equipment and following emergency procedures.**

(a) When pouring chemicals, pour below eye level. (b) In event of a chemical spill, notify the teacher immediately. Do Not attempt to clean up. (c) When working with flames, do not leave flame unattended. Make sure hair is tied back and all loose clothes or flammable items are moved a safe distance from the flame. (d) Do not touch a piece of glass unless it is cool. (e) Inspect glassware for chips, cracks, or other breaks. If you see damage tell your teacher. (f) Always be aware of labels on materials and containers. (g) Always label any glassware that you use during experimentation.
 * 5.** **Handling, labeling and securing equipment and materials.**

(a) Consider ALL chemicals used in the science room to be dangerous. (b) Do not touch or smell any chemicals unless instructed to do so. (c) Ask the teacher for the proper way to dispose of any chemical waste. (d) Never return unused chemicals to the storage container without the teacher’s permission. (e) All chemicals should be properly labeled before you handle them. (f) When pouring chemicals use extreme care; ◦ always pour acids into water to prevent contact with skin or eyes. ◦ Use only approved stirring rods for mixing liquid chemicals. ◦ Never mix chemicals without the permission of the teacher.
 * 6.** **Ensuring proper handling, clean up and disposal of hazardous materials.**

(a) All accidents, chemical spills, and injuries must be reported immediately to the teacher, and the student must follow directions for immediate treatment. (b) Blood, Vomit and other Body Fluids! ◦ Do not touch any of the above. Please notify the teacher as soon as possible! ◦ If feeling like you are going to vomit, please leave the room immediately (inform the teacher later). (c) All injured students will be sent to the nurse's office, no matter the severity of the injury.
 * 7.** **Responding to student injuries.**

Any students with allergies must notify the teacher in the Safety Contract. This information will be taken into account during the planning of all laboratory activities and the necessary precautions will be in place before each activity.
 * 8.** **Ensuring safety of students with allergies, handicaps, or medical conditions.**

All students are expected to treat any living animals in the classroom in a humane and respectful manner. (a) Open animal cages only with permission. (b) Never handle any animals when the teacher is out of the room. (c) Do not take animals out of the science room. (d) Do not tease or handle animals roughly. (e) Keep animals away from students’ faces. (f) Wear gloves when handling animals. (g) Report any animal bite or scratches to the teacher immediately.
 * 9.** **Ensuring proper and ethical treatment and care of animals, as appropriate.**

On the occasion that the teacher takes the students outdoors to collect or work with natural materials: (a) The students are not to disturb, disrupt or destroy any natural material. (b) The students are only to collect those materials that the teacher has given permission to do so. Furthermore, students are not allowed to bring in any natural material that they have collected out of school unless the teacher has been notified at least **1** day in advance.
 * 10.** **Ensuring compliance with laws related to collection of natural materials.**

** Safety Contract **
 * I, _________________ have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this Safety Plan. I realize that I must follow these rules in order to ensure not only the safety of myself, but also the safety of my fellow students and teachers. I am aware that failing to follow any of these rules may result in being removed from the lab, as well as any other disciplinary action. **


 * __________________________________________________________________ **
 * (Student Signature) (Date) **


 * Dear Parent or Guardian, **
 * We feel that it is important that you are made aware of the safety rules that are in effect to keep the students safe in their science classroom/laboratory. Please read the list of rules and sign this agreement. No student will be allowed to participate in lab activities unless this agreement is signed by both the parent/guardian and the student, and is on file with the teacher. Your signature on this contract indicates that you have read the Safety Plan and are aware of the safety measures that are in place to keep the students safe. Also, for the further safety of your child, please provide any information regarding allergies, handicaps, or medical conditions in the box provided. **


 * __________________________________________________________________ **
 * (Parent/Guardian Signature) (Date) **


 * ** Student Allergies, Handicaps, or Medical conditions: ** ||