#7 SIGNS
What must have a posted sign?

Exits

Fire Extinguishers

Showers

Eye Washes

Chemical and supply storage areas (including the NFPA diamond)

Gas Lines

Specific depositories (e.g. Biohazardous waste, glass, chemical, garbage)

Distinguish between potable, non-potable, and deionized water sources
 Diagram of the classroom that includes the location of items listed above

Emergency plan and phone numbers
What are some examples of posters and signs that should be displayed in the lab, and where can I get them?

Posters o http://wardsci.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_IG003563
3_A_name_E_ScholAR+Laboratory+Safety+Poster+S et

o http://www.teachersdiscoveryscience.com/item_details.php?item=51%2B220%2B

Signs
GP00114&eUID=&SBJ=Science o http://wardsci.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_IG001399
3_A_name_E_Safety+Signs o http://wardsci.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_IG003381
1_A_name_E_ScholAR+Safety+Signs

Student-created posters are another option
What must have a label?

ALL chemicals (including soap)

Live organisms and their food/water

First Aid/Biohazard/Chemical Spill Kits

Lab Supplies
What documentation must I have on file?

MSDS sheets for ALL chemicals in the classroom and in main office
 Inventory List in the class and in main office

Instructions for care of live organisms

Safety and Lab training manuals

Incident report
What are some examples of lab resource books?


First Aid Guidelines o ARC First Aid.pdf

Elementary Science Classroom o CSSS Elementary.pdf
 Secondary Science Classroom o CSSS Secondary.pdf

Chemical Resource Guides o EPAresourceguide.pdf
o NIOSH Chemistry Lab.pdf
#8 Safety Concerns in Different Content Areas
Laboratory Differences

Astronomy o In an Astronomy lab, students will likely be performing mathematical calculations and constructions using mathematical instruments.
Students should handle these materials with care not only to prevent injury to themselves, but to also prevent damaging the tools. Students in an
Astronomy lab might also perform laboratory experiments involving gases. It is very important that the teacher and students know and follow proper procedures for working with gases.

Biology

o Proper handling of biohazardous materials and proper treatment of living organisms are especially important in biology. As in every lab, the teacher and students should always wash their hands after a lab.
In biology, students might be working with bacteria or viruses; it is extremely important that students wear necessary protective gear and wash their hands.
Many times UV or other forms of radiation might be used, so students and teachers should be aware of all safety and precautions. When working with plants, students and teachers should know if the plant is toxic and how to treat ingestion. When working with animals or insects, especially live, students and teachers should know how to treat possible injury
(e.g. a student gets scratched by a live kitten).
Teachers should also be aware and have documentation of any of the students know allergies.
 Chemistry o Chemistry labs contain many chemicals that can be very dangerous if mixed. Reactive chemicals should be stored away from each other (not on the shelf above). Teachers should check the hood on a regular basis to make sure it is clean and working properly.
Unused chemicals should be stored separately from used chemicals; never return used chemicals to the

original storage container. Teachers should have designated and labeled used chemical receptacles.
Teachers should inspect materials before and after use in the lab. Students and teachers should understand that broken or damaged lab materials must not be used. Students and teachers must know how to properly wash, rinse, and dry lab materials
(with soap, DI water, and air dry).

Earth Science o The Earth Science lab contains materials such as rock, mineral, and soil samples; however, chemicals such as
HCL are commonly used in labs. Students and teachers must use common lab safety practices paying particular attention to not damaging the lab materials. Performing a hardness test with minerals is a common lab in Earth Science; teachers must provide clear instructions, so students know what they are supposed to be scratching with the mineral.
Many minerals and soils look the same, so teachers must create a way organize and distinguish between similar looking materials.
 Physics o In Physics, students often work with machines, electricity, and possibly extreme temperatures.
Teachers and students should take the necessary

precautions when working with machines. For instance if pulleys are being used to lift heavy objects, students should be clear of the area where the heavy object could drop. Teachers and students should be cautious when working with bare wires while working with circuits to avoid electrocution. Batteries should be inspected and stored in a clean and dry place; used batteries should be disposed of appropriately. When working with extreme temperatures, proper gloves and protective wear should always be used be the teacher and students.
#9 Safety Concerns for Students with Disabilities
Students with Disabilities
 http://www.sesd.info/resources.htm

Students with disabilities might need more time to complete a lab, so teachers should plan for the possible need of extra time. Instructions should always be clear, complete, and concise. Students with learning disabilities may need instructions broken up into smaller steps. The teacher might want to provide the student with written instructions, or a step-by-step check sheet. It is vital that students with physical disabilities are able to move about the room unobstructed, so students’ personal belongings should not be in isles and walkways. If the student has

visual and/or hearing impairments, the teacher should consider placing the student in close proximity to the board and teacher, and should provide instructions verbally, visually, and by physical example. If the student has behavior problems, the teacher should ask the student to participate by doing a specific job that would not entail the dangerous part of the lab. In any event, the teacher should make every attempt to include all students in all lab experiments. Sometimes that will require designating specific roles and jobs to ensure the safety and participation of all students.
#10 & 11 Teacher & Student Responsibilities
Responsibilities

Teachers (all taken from CSSS SECONDARY GUIDE) o “DUTY OF INSTRUCTION includes adequate instruction before a laboratory activity (preferably in writing) that:
 Is accurate; is appropriate to the situation, setting, and maturity of the audience; and addresses reasonably foreseeable dangers.
 Identifies and clarifies any specific risk involved, explains proper procedures/techniques to be used, and presents comments concerning appropriate/inappropriate conduct in the lab.

 Instruction must follow professional and district guidelines. Teachers who set bad examples by not following proper laboratory procedures may be sued if injury results from students following the teacher’s bad examples. o DUTY OF SUPERVISION includes adequate supervision as defined by professional, legal, and district guidelines to ensure students behave properly in light of any foreseeable dangers. Points to remember:
 Misbehavior of any type must not be tolerated.
 Failure to act or improper action is grounds for liability.
 The greater the degree of danger, the higher the level of supervision should be.
 The younger the age of students or the greater the degree of inclusion of special population students, the greater the level of supervision should be.
 Students must never be left unattended, except in an emergency where the potential harm is greater than the perceived risk to students. Even then, risk should be minimized or responsibility transferred to another authorized person if the situation allows.

o DUTY OF MAINTENANCE includes ensuring a safe environment for students and teachers. This requires that the teacher:
 Never use defective equipment for any reason.
 File written reports for maintenance/correction of hazardous conditions or defective equipment with responsible administrators.
 Establish regular inspection schedules and procedures for checking safety and first-aid equipment.
 Follow all safety guidelines concerning proper labeling, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
 By keeping files of all hazard notifications and maintenance inspections, teacher liability in the event of an accident is minimized in cases where no corrective actions were subsequently made”
(CSSS, 2000).

Students (everything below is taken from NIOSH, 2006) o SUPERVISION Never work in the lab without the supervision of a teacher o ATTENTION Always pay attention to the work—don’t fool around in the lab o FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS Always perform experiments precisely as directed by the teacher

o EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Know what to do in the event of an emergency o LABELING Check labels to verify substances before using them.
Label Containers o APPAREL Always wear appropriate protective equipment and apparel o BRAINS Use them—Safety begins with you
#12 Guidelines for Dress
Dress Code (NIOSH, 2006)

Apparel in the Laboratory o Always wear appropriate eye protection (i.e., chemical splash goggles) in the laboratory. o Wear disposable gloves, as provided in the laboratory, when handling hazardous materials.
Remove the gloves before exiting the laboratory. o Wear a full-length, long-sleeved laboratory coat or chemical-resistant apron. o Wear shoes that adequately cover the whole foot; low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles are preferable.
Do not wear sandals, open-toed shoes, open-backed shoes, or high-heeled shoes in the laboratory. o Avoid wearing shirts exposing the torso, shorts, or short skirts; long pants that completely cover the legs are preferable.

o Secure long hair and loose clothing (especially loose long sleeves, neck ties, or scarves). o Remove jewelry (especially dangling jewelry). o Synthetic finger nails are not recommended in the laboratory; they are made of extremely flammable polymers that can burn to completion and are not easily extinguished.
Good Lab Safety Links
 http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/safety.asp
 http://www.csss-science.org/safety.shtml
 http://www.sciencesafetyconsulting.com/links.html
 http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/laboratory/safety/saf ety.html