University High School
Science Laboratory Rules

General Rules

1.         Wear proper eye protection at all times during  laboratory activities involving chemicals, hot
             liquids or flying projectiles.  The use of contact lenses in the chemical laboratory is discouraged.
2.         Know the location of the eye wash station, fire extinguishers and fire blanket.
3.         Confine or securely tie hair that reaches to shoulders.  Remember that hair is very flammable. 
            Dress appropriately for the laboratory.  Avoid wearing overly bulky or loose fitting clothing or
            dangling jewelry.  Roll up loose sleeves.  Though lab aprons are not provided, their use is
            encouraged.

4.         Do not smoke, eat, drink or chew gum in any laboratory at any time.  Dangerous chemicals may
            get into your mouth!  Never taste anything in the laboratory unless specifically instructed to do so 
            by your teacher.  

5.        The science storage rooms are off limits to students, except when specific approval is given by
            the teacher in charge.
6.         Never engage in horseplay or practical jokes.  Remember at all times that the laboratory is a place
            for serious work.
7.           Footwear that completely covers the foot is highly recommended.  Footwear, at the very least,
              should be hard-soled sandals.  Never go barefoot in the laboratory.
8.         Avoid inhaling chemical fumes; when observing the odor of a substance, do not hold your face
            directly over the container.  Fan a little of the vapor toward you by sweeping your hand over the
             top of the container.
9.         Never work alone in the laboratory unless a teacher is present and aware of what you are doing.  
10.       Notify the teacher immediately of any symptom of illness or allergic condition that might have
            been caused by laboratory activities.  i.e. headaches, asthma attacks, allergies, rashes, burning
           eyes, skin discolorations, etc.  
11.       Do not touch chemicals with your hands unless you are directed to do so.  Consider all chemicals
            dangerous unless they are known to be otherwise.
12.       The teacher is to be notified immediately in case of an accident, no matter how trivial it may appear.
13.       Flammable liquids are never dispensed near open flames.
14.       Dispose of flammable or water insoluble liquids in designated waste bottles, never in the sink. 
            Keep all flammable liquids away from open flames.
15.       Flames or operating hot plates should never be left unattended.
16.       Notify the instructor immediately of any spills on your clothing or person.
17.       If an acid or other corrosive chemical is spilled, wash it off immediately with the appropriate
            neutralizing agent and water.  Notify the instructor.
18.       Do not use the sink to discard matches, filter paper or other insoluble solids.  Use the waste cans
            that are provided.
19.       Do only the experiments assigned or approved by your teacher.  Unauthorized
           experiments are prohibited.  
20.       Never return unused chemicals to the stock bottles.  Do no put any object into a reagent bottle
            except the dropper with which it may be equipped.
21.       Laboratory glassware should always be clean before use or returning it to the storage area.
           Notify the instructor of any cracked or broken glassware.
22.       You are financially responsible for any equipment damaged or lost as a result of carelessness 
            or misuse.
23.       Keep your apparatus, floor space, and desk top clean.  Avoid spillage, but if you do spill
           something, clean it up immediately.  
24.       Allow ample time for hot glass to cool.  Remember that hot glass looks like cold glass.
25.       Always prepare for an experiment by reading the directions before you come to the lab.  Follow
            the directions, noting all the precautions listed and described by the instructor.
26.       Do not begin the lab until your instructor tells you to do so.
27.       Always wash your hands before leaving the chemical or biological laboratory.
28.       Failure to follow the above rules will result in immediate dismissal from the laboratory.

Chemistry Rules

29.       No chemicals are ever to be taken from the chemical laboratory without the teacher's prior approval.
30.        Chemical reactions that involve the production or use of noxious or corrosive fumes should be
             performed in the fume hood.
31.       Never fill a pipette by mouth.  Use a rubber bulb or other filling device.
32.       Check the label on a reagent bottle carefully before removing any of its contents.  Read the label
            twice to be sure that you have the right bottle.  Always replace the stopper or bottle cap 
            immediately after use.  
33.       Never point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or others.  
34.       Always add base or acid to water and allow to cool before use.  This is particularly true of
            concentrated sulfuric or hydrochloric acids.  

Biology Rules

35.     Treat all organisms as if pathogenic.  Request gloves from the instructor if you have cuts or abrasions
          on hands.
36.     Always handle cultures in a safe manner.  Carefully transport tubes in racks and perform experiments
          over the bench surface.
37.      Dispose of cultures as directed by your instructor, disinfect bench and wash hands before leaving lab.
38.      Cultures and/or lab materials should never be removed from lab.
39.      Discard needles, razor blades, scalpel blades and other such items only in "Sharps" containers.

 

Physics/Physical Science Rules

40.       DO NOT SACRIFICE SAFETY FOR EXPERIMENTAL ACCURACY!!!
41.      When working with electric 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.
42.       If you are connecting a voltmeter or ammeter to a circuit, have your teacher approve the connections
            before turning current on.
43.       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.