SCIENCE SAFETY
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“Common sense is not so common”
8 SAFETY CONVERSATIONS FOR THE YEAR
PPE
 Safety Lessons occur all year long, not just the
first few weeks of school
 Organisms in the classroom
 Chemicals: Use and Storage
 Beware of the Internet
 Freebies, “guest scientists”, and other gifts
 Allergies
 Science Fair, Science Olympiad & other science
competitions

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PPE=PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Eye Protection
Gloves
vs.
Protects for
impact, not
chemical
splashes
Aprons
Indirectly
vented
chemical
splash
goggles;
should meet
ANSI
standard.
Closed
toe
shoes
Hair pulled
back
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SAFETY LESSONS
Beginning of year:
safety lessons,
“contracts”
 It is vital to document
reminders of science
lesson safety for each
lesson. Teach safety
in context to the
activity.

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ORGANISMS IN THE CLASSROOM

Animals


Plants
Insects & other
invertebrates
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ORGANISMS IN THE CLASSROOM
Bacteria, Mold, Fungi: Purposeful growth or
cultivation
 Blood borne pathogens

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CHEMICALS: USE AND STORAGE
SDS; Safety Data
Sheets; Globally
Harmonized System
(formerly called MSDS)
 Store securely
 Don’t stockpile
 Flammables should be
stored securely
 Go Green & Grocery
 Be cautious of kits &
demos off the internet
 Fire & Open flames

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BEWARE OF THE INTERNET
Surf Wisely
 Choose demonstration video clips wisely; don’t
reinforce poor safety & don’t encourage unsafe
behavior
 Always review, “Is it a wise idea for my students
to do this activity”
 Demos shared may not have your facility
limitations
 But the sample video shows students doing the
activity safely

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FREEBIES, “GUEST SCIENTISTS” AND
OTHER GIFTS
Review any science
materials thoroughly
before accepting a
“donation”
 Guest Scientists are
not under the same
legal liability as
teachers/admin are.
They may not account
for the facility
limitations.


Always be skeptical of
“free” science
resources. Review
before accepting.
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ALLERGIES
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SCIENCE FAIR, SCIENCE OLYMPIAD &
OTHERS
Science Fair
 When in doubt, Read
the high school rules.
Other competitions
Read the Rules!
If high school students aren’t
allowed to do the projects,
elementary shouldn’t do it
either.
Science Olympiad
 Read rules, rule
clarifications, ask a
Sci Oly leader or
tournament director
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IN SCHOOL SCIENCE PROGRAMS
Must be pre-approved for safety-Check current
list
 Requirements:

a. Proof of company liability insurance with
minimum coverage of 1 million dollars.
 b. Written description of the activities presented to
the students with the GPS correlations. (If you have
a basic outline of what is being covered, I can look up
the GPS correlations)
 c. A Risk or safety assessment of any activities in the
program including how safety will be addressed. If
personal protection equipment is necessary for any of
the learning activities, who is responsible for
providing the PPE. We have Safety goggles at school
that can be used but not sure if it is necessary for
your program.

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RESOURCES
NSTA Safety Portal: http://www.nsta.org/portals/safety.aspx
 NSTA Learning Center: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/
 Council of State Science Supervisors:

http://www.csss-science.org/downloads/scisafe.pdf

Flinn Scientific Middle School Safety online
training
http://labsafety.flinnsci.com/CertificateCourseSelection.aspx?CourseCod
e=MS\

Flinn Scientific High School Safety online
training
http://labsafety.flinnsci.com/CertificateCourseSelection.aspx?CourseCod
e=HS

Georgia Science and Engineering Fair:
http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/ppd/courses/academic-special-
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DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK
Dr. Kelly Price
kprice@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770-887-2461, x202257
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