Survey on Laboratory Accidents
and
Laboratory Safety
Sophia CHENG
Science Education Section, EMB
June 2007
Survey on laboratory accidents in
secondary schools

Background
since 1995/1996 school year
from 2002/2003 onwards, survey is
conducted on a triennial basis
 Objectives
to
monitor standard of safety in
school science laboratories
to take active measures to minimize
the occurrence of laboratory accidents
Accident Statistics (05/06)


464 schools responded (response rate :
93.4% )
Statistics
 296 schools without accident (64%)
 554 cases in 168 schools (36%)
 1.19 cases per school
 1.57
cases per 1,000 students studying science
courses
 4.15 cases per 10,000 practical periods
500 students and 8 staffs injured; most injuries
were minor cuts or scalds
 Cause of accidents: Carelessness
(students: 91.7%;teachers: 0.5%; LTs: 1.8%)

Types of accidents (05/06)
14
(3%)
32
(6%)
45
(8%)
Chemicals on skin
40
(7%)
Eye accidents
21
(4%)
Chemicals spillage
Heat burns or scalds
218
(39%)
178
(32%)
Discomfort arising from inhalation of
gases
Cuts
Substances catching fire
6
(1%)
Others
Types of accidents (05/06)
Phy
Chem
Bio/
H Bio
IS
ES/
S&T
Chemical on skin
0
25
1
19
0
Eye accidents
2
15
1
22
0
Chemical spillage
1
10
2
8
0
Heat burns or scalds
6
42
7
123
0
Inhalation of gas
0
3
0
3
0
Cuts
7
28
75
108
0
Substances catching fire
0
7
1
5
1
Bites by animals
0
0
0
0
0
Others
2
4
5
21
0
18
134
92
309
1
Subjects involved (05/06)
Others
350
309 (56%)
Bites by animals
300
Substances catching fire
250
Cuts
200
134 (24%)
Discomfort arising from
inhalation of gases
150
92 (17%)
100
Heat burns or scalds
18 (3%)
Chemicals spillage
50
0
1 (~0%)
Eye accidents
Phy
Chem
Bio/H Bio
IS
ES/S&T
Chemicals on skin
Most common laboratory accidents

Cuts:
caused by broken glass apparatus (e.g.
test tubes or glass tubing), tools (e.g.
dissection instruments or cutters) or
sharp edges
about 50% of cases occurred in junior
science lessons
injuries mostly on fingers and palms
Most common laboratory accidents

Heat burns or scalds:
caused by carelessness in handling hot
objects (e.g. tripods, Bunsen burners,
metal rods, glassware or combustion
spoons), hot liquids, Bunsen flame or
lighted matches
about 69% of cases occurred in junior
science lessons
Evaluating Lab Accidents
Find out how the accident happened
 Identify the causes
 Was the accident handled properly?
 Learn from events and take steps to
prevent recurrences
 Keep proper records
 Review in Subject Panel & SCLS meetings
 Identify underlying failures in the safety
management system

Laboratory Equipment
“Bunsen Burner
Screen”
Spectacle Cabinet
Flexicam
Laboratory Equipment

Hand Protector 隔熱護手墊
How to reduce glass breakage
and cut accidents?
Laboratory Equipment

Reduce breakage
of glassware
 Plasticware
(e.g.
dropper, beaker,
funnel)
 polypropylene (PP),
polymethylpentene
(PMP, TPX))
Laboratory Equipment
- Measuring cylinders
Laboratory Equipment
 Thermometers
Non-mercury filled
 Short vs long (150mm / 300mm)
 Plastic coated
 Reinforced bulb
 Digital (-50 - 150oC)

Microscale experiment
Pins
Shampoo
solution
0.4 M NaOH
http://cd1.emb.hkedcity.net/cd/science/laboratory/safety_corner.htm
Microscale experiment
2007 CE-CHEM Paper 1, Q.3
Laboratory Safety and Management
(http://emb.gov.hk/cd/sc  References & Resources  Laboratory
Safety and Management)
Handbook on Safety in Science
Laboratories
http://cd1.emb.hkedcity.net/cd/science/laboratory/safety/SHB_2002e.pdf

Include crucial guidance and information:
Safety management
Hazardous chemicals and their storage
Disposal of chemical wastes
Handling of glassware, plants,
microorganisms, animals, radioactive
substances, etc.
First aid in the laboratory
Laboratory accidents and insurance

Additional resources or information in
appendices:
Risk assessment form
Some plants known to contain irritants
Report form on laboratory accident
Chemistry experiments requiring
particular care
Learning and
Teaching
Resources on
Safety in Science
Laboratories
http://cd1.emb.hkedcity.net/cd/science/laboratory/SAFETY/safety_exemplars_e.pdf


Suggested teaching strategies for
lessons on laboratory safety
Exemplars of learning activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Laboratory safety rules
Eye protection
Safety information on chemicals
Risk assessment
What if a laboratory accident happens?
http://resources.emb.gov.hk/~ses/
Manage a Safe Environment for
Learning, Teaching and Working
Raymond FONG
Tel: 3698 3436
Sophia CHENG
Tel: 3698 3439
science@emb.gov.hk
Thank you!