Dissection Lab Safety

What will we dissect? First---a pickle (to learn technique)

Key Anatomical Phrases

What’s Next? Then, each table group will have a different specimen---frog, fish, starfish, crayfish, grasshopper, worm

Will we get to do more? Each table group (4-6 people) will be the “teacher” and explain their specimen to the rest of the class

Dissection Fashion

Dissection Equipment

Keep Your Equipment Organized

Dissection Pan

Sharp Stuff—No Horseplay

Dissection Forceps

Dissecting Pins

Safety Guidelines Know where the eye-wash fountain is if needed. Wear safety goggles to prevent the splashing of any chemicals into the eyes.

Safety Guidelines If you wear contact lenses, these should be removed when working near chemicals or dissections. Contact lenses can hold chemicals in the eye(s) increasing the potential damage in the event of an accidental splashing of chemicals into the eye(s). 2. Inform your Ms. Scribner of any illness as a result of exposure  to chemicals used in specimen preparation. 3. Avoid contact with preservative chemicals. Rinse the specimens completely before dissection.

Safety Guidelines 4. Properly mount dissection specimens to dissecting pan. Do  not dissect a specimen while holding it. 5. Handle scalpel or razor blade (safety edged) with extreme care. 6. Always cut away from your body and away from others. 7. Never ingest specimen parts or remove specimens/specimen parts from the classroom. Properly dispose of dissected materials. 8. Store specimens as directed by your teacher. Clean up the work area and return all equipment to the proper place when the dissection is completed. 9. Wash your hands after each dissection.  

Place the dissection specimens in the pan.  Do not dissect a handheld specimen. Treat specimens respectfully.

Q. Do the specimens smell bad? Not really. For the most part it's the preservative that gives an odor. The specimens themselves are actually pretty sterile because of the preservative. I suggest you breathe through your mouth when you have to get close. You will also wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from the preservative.

Q. Do the specimens bleed? No. All blood has long-since been removed or has hardened so it's not going to spray out at you. The fact that the blood has hardened is helpful in that it makes blood vessels a bit tougher so they are less likely to break during dissection.

Q. Should I wear gloves? Yes, you should. Your hands will still feel and smell a bit funny. Wash frequently with soap and in a few hours your hands will be back to normal. It's all part of the dissection experience so don't sweat it.

Q. Can I name my specimen? Please don't. Although you probably have the best intentions, for the most part I think it's unnecessary and borders on disrespect. Best to call things what they are and act accordingly.

Follow Your Worksheets

Bb External Links Go to External Links to review procedure for each of your assigned specimens BEFORE WE START ON THURSDAY!!!

http://www.execulink.com/~ekimmel/dissectlab_intro.htm

Daily Clean Up Remove pins from specimen Place specimen into gallon zip-lock bag and seal Dispose of gloves in trash, wipe down and hang up apron Wash pan and instruments to prepare for next class.