W E L C O M E

LAB SAFETY :

RULES AND

REGULATIONS

AND

ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

No can dispute that laboratory work should

occupy a central position in any programme

of science education anywhere in the world .

Laboratory safety is regarded as a positive

undertaking which is an integral part of

every activity in which the science teacher is

engaged with her students.

SAFETY EQUIPMENTS

Every laboratory should be equipped with

the following :

Fire extinguishers

Sand buckets

Fire blanket

Dust-bin

Rubber gloves

Asbestos safety screens

SUGGESTED TEACHER

PRECAUTIONS

Establish off-limit storage areas .

Inspect your science room for proper

ventilation and be sure that all electrical

connections are in good condition .

Put out a metal container in a convenient spot

to collect the broken glass.

Store large bottles of acids and alkalis on the

floor in the stock room or in the lowest shelf

of the science room cabinet.

Always add acid to the water , stirring continuously to avoid splashing.

In the case of fire ,determine the cause and act accordingly.

Limit the supply of matches and other combustibles.

Label all bottles containing chemicals clearly and accurately.

Mercury from broken thermometers should be cleaned up by the teacher at once.

Experiments involving the heating of solutions should be done in Pyrex glassware.

Teacher should check all student circuits before the power is connected.

Use insulated tools to check , when the power is on.

When using any apparatus that rotates , be sure that the safety nut is secured.

Springs should not exceed their limits.

Sufficient space must be allowed during activities involving collisions.

Closed containers should never be heated.

Fire retardant pads and gloves should be used when handling hot materials.

Never leave gas jets open .Mirrors that are sharper should be

taped.Uses of lenses and prisms in direct

sunlight should be supervised.Cautions should be exercised in the

use of UV sources such as mercury-quartz or carbon arc lamps.

Never permit eye exposure to either direct or reflected laser light.

SAFETY RULES IN GENERAL FOR STUDENTS

Follow all directions as given.Consider the safety of your fellow

students.Perform only those experiments

assigned by the teacher .Any accident or injury must be

reported to the teacher.Do not work in the laboratory or

work rooms without supervision.

No equipments will be used until proper instructions are received.

No chemical may be used until the teacher explains the use and precautions to be taken.

Never touch materials or apparatus in the demonstration table.

Study each experiment before coming to the class.

Immediately wash with water any part of the skin that has been contact with any chemical.

Specimens, solid waste , broken glass , and other laboratory waste will be placed in their specific containers.

Laboratory work areas and equipments are to be cleaned and dried before leaving the laboratory.

Reagents are not to be taken from the laboratory stock.

Do not taste , eat or drink any laboratory chemicals unless so instructed .

Do not grasp any electrical device which has just been used.

Appliances which depend upon high voltage for operation , are to be plugged only with the consent of the teacher.

ACCIDENTS IN LABORATORIES

HAZARDOUS SITUATION +

HUMAN ERROR

=

ACCIDENT .

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF ACCIDENTS

The following seven points indicates some areas for examination by the teacher :

Windows and doors in good repairsBenches , seats and floorsWater taps and sinksElectrical sockets and wiringStorage cupboards and shelvesApparatus and equipmentSafety equipment

FIRST AID

FIRST AID stands for :FirstInvestigate DIAGNOSIS

ReassureSteadyTreatment TREATMENT ArrangeImmediate TRANSPORTDispatch

FIRST AID KITGENERAL ITEMS CottonRoller bandageScissorsPlastersForcepsEye dropperThermometer ,et

c.

MEDICINESDettolOptrexVaselineGlycerinTincture iodineBurnolAspirin , etc.

SOME COMMON LABORATORY MISHAPS

Poisons

Fire

Eye injuries

Burns

Electric shock

The following conditions are medical emergencies and require immediate action :

Severe bleeding

Absence of breathing

Eye injuries

shock

CONCLUSION

Children will be children, so,

accidents may take place any time

in the laboratory. It is, therefore,

very important to train students in

the use and practice of safety rules

and administration of first aid , etc.

QUESTIONS

Q) “There should be some teacher

precautions and student rules for the

safety of science labs”. Discuss.

Q)Prepare an inventory of the possible

hazards associated with a chemistry /

physics laboratory.

REFERENCESRadha Mohan ,Innovative Science

Teaching, India, Prentice Hall of India private limited.

Narendra Vaidya, Marvin Druger, Science Teaching in schools, India, Deep and Deep publications Pvt.Ltd.

Siddiqi and Siddiqi , Teaching of Science , India ,Doaba House Booksellers and publishers.

Sites.google.com , mail.colonial.net, nobel.scas.bat.ca ,www.europeantechniques.com, www.thecatalyst.org.