Science Safety: No Game of Chance! Safe Science for PreK-12 For more information contact: Marsha Winegarner 800/
Safe Science and The Law
Eye-protective devices required in certain laboratory courses.-- (1) Eye-protective devices shall be worn by students, teachers, and visitors in courses including, but not limited to, chemistry, physics, or chemical-physical laboratories, at any time at which the individual is engaged in or observing an activity or the use of hazardous substances likely to cause injury to the eyes.
“Personal protection devices which come in contact with the skin shall be sanitized after each use” FL 6A-2.097
State Board Regulations found at:
Equipment & Signage Fire Extinguisher Fire Blanket Eye Wash facility
Dousing Shower with Floor Drain
Spill Kits or Bucket of Clean Sand
Storage Chemical and Hazardous
Mechanical Systems Ventilation The ventilation system should provide adequate air changes for scienc laboratory rooms where biological or chemical investigations are being conducted.
Electrical Systems Fire Alarms and Heat/Smoke Detectors Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters Emergency Shut-Off Switches
Chemical Storage Limited Student Access Well illuminated and well vented to the outside Kept at moderate temperature all year Clean and clear floor space Annual inventory
Stored chemicals must have specific information on the label. 1. The chemical name 2. The supplier’s name 3. The date of purchase or mix 4. The concentration 5. The associated hazards pertinent to the chemical
“Each space equipped with unprotected gas valves accessible to students has an approved master cut-off readily accessible to the instructor” FL 6A/2.097 (10)
NFPA Labels or similar system shall be adopted and implemented. FL 6A Danger 3 Warning 2 Warning 1 Caution 0 No unusual hazard Special = corrosive, alkali, acid, oxidzer
Some chemical are not allowed: benzoyl peroxide carbon disulfide phosphorus di-isopropyl ether ethyl ether potassium chlorate picric acid perchloric acid potassium metal
Some chemicals are not allowed arsenic compounds acrylonitriel asbestos, benzene bensidine, cadmium compounds chloroform chromium compounds ethylene oxide nickle powder ortho-toluidine
Highly Toxic Substances Adrenaline Barium Hydroxide Chlorine Colchicine Mercury and Hg I & II salts Nicotine Osmium Tetroxide Cyanides Cadmium compounds Chromium compounds Lethal dose 50 mg/kg or less
The Teacher’s Responsibility to Use Due Care The Duty of Instruct The Duty to Supervise The Duty to Properly Maintain Equipment and Surroundings
The Duty to Instruct FORESEEABILITY - Instruct students in problems that can be reasonably foreseen. STANDARD OF CARE - Conform to standards established by the profession.
The Duty to Supervise DEGREE OF SUPERVISION is commensurate with potential danger STANDARD OF CARE - Conform to the Standards Established by the Profession (
The Duty to Maintain Equipment and Surroundings KNOWLEDGE OF LAWS AND RULES STANDARD OF CARE - Conform to the Standards Established by the Profession
Safety is an Attempt to Minimize the Risk of Harm The law only requires that a person is reasonable “Reasonable” is exercise of good common sense Negligence is conduct that falls below a standard established by law or by the profession Negligence is habitually being guilty of neglect Negligence is lacking in due care or concern Negligence is being extremely careless
In Case of Emergency Fire-Police-Ambulance Poison Center
Biological experiments on living subjects.--
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You Can Continue To Do It! Teach Science Safely with Joy, Enthusiasm,Knowledge and Help from others who care.