Science Safety Guide Jennifer L Baron

Hawaii Pacific University ED 6450: Science Curriculum and Instruction

April 29, 2007

Letter of Introduction

 To inform students and other lab users  Safe environment  Handling materials, treatment of animals,

disposal, avoiding incidents, emergency action plans

Following Procedures and Safety Steps

  Importance of following step-by-step instructions   Successful completion and safety   Failure to follow directions

  Hazard   Unexpected results   Unnecessary harm

  Perform only assigned experiments   Restricted Areas   Respect laboratory property

Student Conduct in the Lab

 Behavior  Professional manner  No horseplay

  Language  Clothing  Goggles, Lab Coats, and Aprons  Food and Drink  Bathroom

Arriving and Leaving Lab

 Arrival  Take seat  Look over lab instructions  Short lecture  Wash hands, put on safety goggles, and other

lab gear   Leaving

 Put materials away  Wash down lab tables  Wash hands

During Lab

 Contributing  Develop lab skills  Take notes, record data, writing in lab

notebook  Cross out mistakes

 Work productively

Handling Equipment

  Inspecting Equipment  Precaution

 Handling and Carrying  Microscope  Test tubes  Knifes

Using Laboratory Equipment

 Use for its intended use  Follow lab steps carefully

Handling Materials and Spills   Mixing Chemicals, Other Materials

  Do so if told by the instructor   Mix slowly and delicately   Use what you need

  Spills   Acids

  Sodium bicarbonate/baking soda   Bases

  Vinegar

  Avoid breathing in vapors   Chemicals on skin

  Flush with cold water   Chemicals in the eyes   Touching, tasting, smelling, and looking

Labeling, Storing, and Disposing Chemicals

  Labeling   Name, strength, date

  Storing   Laboratory storage room   Acids stored in corrosive cabinets   Solvents in flammable cabinets   Separate acids and bases

  Disposal   Do not pour down the drain   Pour in specified container in fume hood   Do not dispose of in trash cans

Handling Animals

  Handling and Treatment   Dead or alive   Humane, non-teasing manner

  Allergies   Inform instructor   Not required to work with animals   Student records and medical information

  Kept confidential

  Other alternatives   Uncomfortable while working with, holding, or dissecting   Supplemental activity

Working with Plants

  Inform instructor of allergies   Instructor will provide plants  Will never conduct lab experiments with

plants that may cause poisonous reactions or cause allergic reactions

 Do not burn plants  Do not eat  Wear gloves

Working with Body Fluids, Bacteria, and DNA

 Serious and handled carefully  Spills

 5% Lysol, Zephiran, or similar  10% Clorox bleach solution

 Biohazard  Glassware in autoclave

Knowing the Classroom  Safety Equipment and Lab Material

Locations  Master shut-off valves, switches  Fire extinguishers  Eye wash station  Body shower  Fume hood  Safety gear  First aid kit  Fire alarm  Telephone

Emergency Actions

 When to call 911  Chemical spill on a person(s)  Chemicals in eyes  Fire  Dizziness or nausea  Allergic reaction  Someone needs to use safety shower

Emergency Actions

  Information to know when calling 911  Accident that’s being reported  Address of school  Directions to classroom/room number   Information about person(s) requiring assistance

 Tell school office   Inform staff/administrators

Attendance and Make-up Work Policy

 Time is limited  Schedule  Excused absence  Unexcused absence

 Make-up work  Responsible for lab notes, results, and

discussion from lab partners

References

 Council of State Science Supervisors  Science and Safety: Making a Connection

 Flinn Scientific  Hawaii Pacific University

 Science Safety Laboratory Guidelines  Produced by own memory of labs throughout

high school and college  More guidelines and information given

throughout the year

Student Contract

  Student   Understands importance of science safety and

laboratory behavior   Aware of additions to guidelines   Know parents will be contacted

  Parent   Gone over guidebook with son/daughter   Aware child could be removed from classroom   Not receive a grade   May not be able to return to lab

  Severity of actions