Safety Blog
By Kenneth Roy
Posted on 2016-08-04
Before starting the new school year, in terms of safety, a little planning can go a long way. Science teachers, supervisors, and administrators should check out the Safer Seven checklist below for strategies that improve laboratory safety.
Also, pay attention to better professional practices. Organizations such as NSTA and the National Science Education Leadership Association have position papers and professional practices (see Resources), which are standards developed by professional organizations (e.g., keep lab doors locked when not in use). It is important to follow legal standards and better professional practices to ensure the safety of students and to protect science teachers from legal entanglements, including negligence charges.
Rules of the home base. The employer, with the help of science teachers, needs to have a written safety plan with standard operating laboratory procedures, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA requires a written safety plan, called the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and one or more Chemical Hygiene Officers to make sure the plan is applied (see Resources).
Supervision and progressive discipline for students and employees help secure and maintain a safer working environment. Moreover, all employees working in science laboratories should take safety training based on standard operating procedures, use of engineering controls, and personal protective equipment.
Safety committee. Every school should have a safety committee, with representation from the employer, employees, and the science department. The safety committee should be trained to conduct, or have outside safety consultants perform, periodic safety inspections of science laboratories, including engineering controls, standard operating procedures, personal protective equipment, and storage facilities.
Student safety training. Students need to have safety training on biological, chemical, and physical hazards, while also going through laboratory safety procedures and assessments for understanding safety, and reviewing a safety acknowledgement form (see Resources). The acknowledgement form should be signed by the student and parent or guardian. Safety training should be an ongoing activity throughout the school year.
Emergency response. The safety plan must include emergency procedures: first aid, evacuation routes, spill control, etc. Teachers should make sure they have a written record in their lesson plans of safety precautions taken and safety training for each hands-on activity.
Appropriate use of hazardous materials. Microscale, or green chemistry, helps secure a safer working environment. Store hazardous chemicals in labeled containers in secured areas. Before purchasing the chemicals, read Safety Data Sheets to know how to safely use, store, and dispose of them. These steps are all part of a comprehensive chemical management plan.
The history. Keep a paper trail of accidents in the form of inspection reports, accident reports, and signed safety acknowledgement forms. The paper trail helps keep the science teacher out of legal trouble. Provide written rationales for safety equipment in budget requests and keep those as records.
Final thoughts
Clearly, science teachers need to create a safer working and learning environment for students and themselves. Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, or questions in the Comment section.
Submit questions regarding safety in K–12 to Ken Roy at safesci@sbcglobal.net. Follow him on Twitter: @drroysafersci.
Resources
Better professional practices—www.nsta.org/about/positions, www.nsta.org/safety, www.nsela.org/safe-science-series
Chemical Hygiene Plan—www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10106&p_table=STANDARDS
Safety Acknowledgment Form—www.nsta.org/docs/SafetyInTheScienceClassroomLabAndField.pdf
NSTA resources and safety issue papers
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Before starting the new school year, in terms of safety, a little planning can go a long way. Science teachers, supervisors, and administrators should check out the Safer Seven checklist below for strategies that improve laboratory safety.
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Posted on 2016-08-01
2016 STEM Forum and Expo
Denver, Colorado, July 27–29
As Seen on Twitter
#STEMforum @NSTA in the Exhibit Hall playing a banana piano!! pic.twitter.com/fxlcEN0W0w
— Danielle Perrotta (@dani_perrotta) July 29, 2016
STEM in the streets of Denver, CO #iamsps#STEMforumpic.twitter.com/SqruWIJ4pf
— Whitney McKinley (@WhitneyMcKinle1) July 27, 2016
My #sketchnotes from the “Evolution of Bigfoot” session at @NSTA #STEMforum pic.twitter.com/cFuhfTcPij
— Eric Magette (@mistermagette) July 28, 2016
Not everyday you run into Dr. Ken Wesson. Sharing the neuroscience of learning worldwide. #STEM #STEMForum pic.twitter.com/1v0GNLtykG
— DavidJLockett (@DavidJLockett) July 29, 2016
Student panel at NSTA #STEMforum emphasize value of career connections and projects that span multiple disciplines. pic.twitter.com/rNQt65mO3l
— Solar 4R Schools (@solar4Rschools) July 27, 2016
.@veritasium #STEMforum keynote speaker asks us to predict how slinky will fall. #MindBlown #OnlyAtNSTA pic.twitter.com/oMR2cEFJV1
— NatSciTeachAssoc (@NSTA) July 28, 2016
Use #STEMvoices to follow the #STEMforum Leaders Panel, happening today at 6:45 in Denver! pic.twitter.com/msC3EnqOFH
— NatSciTeachAssoc (@NSTA) July 27, 2016
Here’s what @LLCoolProf + @shawnboynes want K-12 #STEM teachers to know about #anatomy https://t.co/UIh2H8uFT0 pic.twitter.com/rNmEyTR2nl
— Lauren Jonas (@LaurenE_Jonas) July 30, 2016
Elementary STEM Showcase @NSTA. So many great learning opportunities for students! #STEMforum pic.twitter.com/R35mE37nXs
— arendallvhcs (@arendallvhcs) July 28, 2016
Who made the 2016 #STEMforum so great? This panel, who brought us the best and brightest #STEMvoices this week! pic.twitter.com/PY96lzTJMH
— NatSciTeachAssoc (@NSTA) July 29, 2016
#STEMforum first-timers panel (don’t know why our photo is upside down) pic.twitter.com/prPmReXQcY
— Erica Watson, PhD (@ResearchSmarter) July 27, 2016
#STEMforum official @DenverZoo greeter? pic.twitter.com/unwfS7
U16K— Chris Hughes (@MrSTEMMemorial) July 29, 2016
Getting to play with robots at a “work” conference. #NSTA #STEMforum pic.twitter.com/3tyYPpUml4
— David Neubauer (@CoachNeubauer) July 28, 2016
My new favorite #NSTA peeps! #STEMforum pic.twitter.com/wkGMXkzmkx
— Jen Gutierrez (@jengutierrez18) July 28, 2016
.@DavidE_NSTA takes a deep dive into experiential learning at the @OceanFirstEdu booth at #STEMforum #ONLYatNSTA pic.twitter.com/swR7MNCL5Z
— NatSciTeachAssoc (@NSTA) July 29, 2016
@bettytgeorge making circuits come alive with @Electroninks #STEMforum pic.twitter.com/SAS5OENFsb
— Gelyn Cornell (@gelyn_roble) July 28, 2016
Was it worth traveling 11,000 Km for the #STEMforum & Expo? Israel’s 2 top science teachers say yes! @Dtcrowther pic.twitter.com/Ir2SKRI2qB
— NatSciTeachAssoc (@NSTA) August 1, 2016
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
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2016 STEM Forum and Expo
Denver, Colorado, July 27–29
As Seen on Twitter