Safety

Despite my sometimes cavalier attitude, the fact is that safety in the laboratory or classroom is very important to me. I love the fun of teaching science, but the fun ends pretty quickly when someone gets hurt. Further more YOU are the responsible adult in the room, and it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that the activities are safe and controlled. Here are some of the things I think about when planning and executing activities in the science room. If they all sound a little basic, and condescending, that’s fine. We all need an occasional reminder about the basics.

KNOW YOUR DEMO

You should make sure that you are very clear on what to do, and what is supposed to happen. If you are not a chemistry teacher (and even if you are), you should make sure you have an understanding of any chemicals involved. You really should try your demonstration or experiment before doing it with students. For a start you may avoid look foolish later if it won’t work, but also it helps you see what may go wrong, or what precautions need to be taken.

SAFETY IS FOR EVERYONE

You must take into account the risks of your activities for everyone, including yourself. Your well being is as important as that of any of your students. What’s more, how can you insist on students using appropriate safety procedures if you don’t? If the students should wear safety goggles, so should you! Also consider others that may be less directly involved. Will the fumes be directed towards other classrooms? Do the lab technicians know what your are doing and how to safely dispose of your waste? Will a flying object place bystanders at risk?

IMAGINATION IS IMPORTANT

Try to imagine what could wrong ahead of time, and plan for these possible outcomes. Of course don’t go overboard and wind yourself up into a paranoid state, but do consider some likely scenarios and minimize the likeliness of their occurrence. Remember also, that you are dealing with kids, and that things that are obviously risky to you may not seem so to them. What other trouble could be caused with the materials you are handing out? Could they use the basics of your demonstration that cause themselves harm at a later time and place?

KNOW YOUR WORKSPACE

All school laboratories must meet certain safety requirements by law, so this is the best place for real science to take place. You must know where the fire extinguishers are, and which type does what. Know where the exits to the room are, and also the use of other safety equipment such as the eyewash, chemical show and fume cabinet. On the other hand if your only work space is an ordinary classroom, you will need to make sure your choice of demonstration is very safe and reliable.

TALK TO COLLEAGUES

Before trying something new, particularly one of the more risky ides, talk to others who have done similar work. They may well have some helpful suggestions, but may also point out some risks you haven’t thought of.

BE AWARE OF THE LAW

A lot of what we do is regulated by law, so you need to be aware it he implications. Some chemicals are forbidden for use in schools. Some areas only allow dissections from know sources, and some don’t allow them at all. Lasers have been banned in some school districts, strobes may also be prohibited in your school. While you may not always agree with these laws, the fact is that when you sign on to teach in your area, you agree to work within them.

Note On using These Wizards

Those Science Wizards that have particularly dangerous aspects have been marked with the symbol below.

This is not to say that there is no risk involved in those that are not marked. All procedures in the labs of classroom need to be carefully considered and monitored. Those that are marked require more attention because of the significant consequences of an accident.

In case you missed it there was a disclaimer on the home page of this site. It really is YOUR responsibility to keep kids safe, not mine. Click here to see it again.