Safety in the
Science
Classroom
•Science teachers have a unique, added
classroom management responsibility.
•We encourage students to purposely use
and manipulate scientific equipment, living
specimens, and chemicals in order to
learn science.
Liabilities
• In addition to teaching, you are responsible for
keeping students safe in the lab.
• “If you can reasonably foresee the consequences of
what you are about to do or not about to do, you will
be held responsible.”(Flinn, 2000)
• You must explicitly teach and enforce safety in the
science lab just as you teach and enforce your
classroom procedures.
Georgia Performance Standards
(GPS)
Topic: Habits of Mind
SCSH2. Students will use standard safety
practices for all classroom laboratory and
field investigations.
a. Follow correct procedures for use of
scientific apparatus.
b. Demonstrate appropriate techniques in all
laboratory situations.
c. Follow correct protocol for identifying and
reporting safety problems and violations.
Safety Considerations
• Identify and locate the safety features in your lab
room (which is often your classroom).
• If you are doing labs in a class room, you must
determine if the activity can be completed safely
without the lab safety features.
• Teach students to “dress for success”.
• Devise and require a signed age and subject specific
safety contract that spells out your safety rules and
the consequences of not following these rules.
Safety Considerations cont…
Have safety “drills”
For example, what to do if
1. A student is hurt.
2. The teacher is incapacitated.
3. The electricity goes off during lab.
4. A fire occurs in the lab.
Safety Considerations cont…
• Coordinate safety curriculum with other
members of your department so you
are all “on the same page” and
students will not have a hard time
transferring from one class to another.
• Check stockrooms to determine if
materials are stored safely.
Safety Considerations cont…
• Any project assigned for outside of class
must be assessed for safety. Independent
science projects, collections, etc. must be
pre-approved so you are aware of what work
the student will be doing.
• Any in-class lab procedures generated by the
student(s) must be reviewed for safety. We
do NOT turn students loose in the lab.
Implement Safety in the
Classroom
• Rather than confining safety issues to an introductory unit,
introduce safe procedures with each exploration and repeat safety
instructions.
• Model safe behaviors.
• Have students share responsibility for monitoring safe procedures.
• Provide modifications to accommodate all students.
• Minimize the potential for disruptive behavior with shorter and
more specific tasks.
• Plan time to train assistants needed to support students who need
them.
(Texley, 2004)
Implement Safety in the
Classroom cont…
• Insist on the proper use of eye protection (goggles) and aprons.
• Become familiar with school policies and federal, state, and local
laws.
• Ensure that safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire
blankets, safety showers, and eyewashes are operational and
accessible.
• Document all safety-related activities.
• Assess your safety lessons, and keep detailed records.
(Texley, 2004)
Implement Safety in the
Classroom cont…
Physics/Earth Science
• Before beginning activities, instruct students on safe procedures
and safety mechanisms for tools and equipment.
• Never allow the tasting of specimens and insist on proper hand
washing.
• Never permit direct observation of the Sun.
• Make sure all electrical connections are safe and conform to code.
• Plan ahead and remove any physical barriers (tripping or falling
hazards).
(Texley, 2004)
Implement Safety in the
Classroom cont…
Biology
• Ensure adequate safety and security of classroom organisms.
• Do NOT bring wild or feral animals, dead or alive, into the
classroom.
• Avoid organisms that are toxic, highly allergenic, or
temperamental.
• Properly use and dispose of cultures.
• Ensure correct use and changing of surgical blades.
(Texley, 2004)
Implement Safety in the
Classroom cont…
Chemistry
• Conduct science activities in adequate facilities and ensure
necessary safety equipment are operational and accessible.
• Store chemical stocks in well-organized locked cabinets.
• Clearly mark all chemicals and maintain a MSDS for every
product.
• Mix and use chemicals correctly.
• Properly dispose of all waste chemicals and broken glassware.
(Texley, 2004)
Implement Safety in the
Classroom cont…
Outdoors
• Preview the site and adjacent properties before planning the field
study.
• Determine proper clothing and footwear for the site and activities
planned.
• Meet with cooperating resource people to plan activities.
• Orient and train all chaperones on safety precautions.
• Plan appropriate accommodations for special needs and physically
disabled students.
(Texley, 2004)
Helpful Safety Resources
Flinn Scientific, Inc.
http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/saf
ety.asp
Science Education Safety
http://csss.enc.org/safety
Investigating Safely by Juliana Texley, Terry
Kwan, and John Summers
Additional Resources
Material Safety Data Sheets
Flinn has MSDS available online
http://www.flinnsci.com/search_MSDS.asp
Safe Science Series-National Science
Education Leadership Association
http://www.nsela.org/roysafe.htm
Attend a Lab safety workshop
http://www.labsafety.org/
Safety Conclusion
Save
Arms
Feet
Eyes
Torso
and
You
Prepare, plan, prevent, and protect.