safety

Question
what safety procedures should be done before either myself or my partner should step foot on the rock?

Answer
Brooke,

I strongly suggest that you take a beginer's rock climbing course in which they teach at least the following:  knot tying, belaying, proper harness wear, and climbing commands.  If you are climbing outdoors, you will also need to know how to set effective anchors.  Most indoor climbing gym have such a class and typically run between $25 and $50 depanding on location and depth of material.

http://www.climbing.com/print/classifieds/

You'll find a list of cimbing gyms and outdoor instruction locations at the link above.

If you have already attended such a class, I also suggest you consult the book "Mountaineers: Freedom of the Hills".  

But to answer your question specifically, you should check that all pieces of equipment are suitable for use, that each harness is properly worn, that all knots and belay setups are correct and that all anchors are properly placed.

If there is anything else that I can answer, please let me know,

Nick