1 Sharing Session on Laboratory Safety for Laboratory Technicians 18 February 2006

2 Recent Developments Handbook on Laboratory Safety (2002) New Safety Posters (2003) Survey on School Laboratory Accidents (02/03) Learning and Teaching Resources on Safety in Science Laboratories (2004) Various safety seminars and workshops for laboratory technicians, teachers and panel chairpersons Reforms in science curricula SBM, ESR

3 Recent Safety Issues Bench mat and wire gauze Laboratory accidents Spillage of formalin due to falling down of hanging cupboards containing biological specimens (2005) Cut on palm by broken glass tubing (2005) Inhalation of harmful gases/vapour during disposal of chemical wastes (2005) Ingestion of small amount of NH 4 Cl(s) (2004) Spillage of CuSO 4 (aq) onto the eyes (2004) Minor heat burn on a finger during extraction of chlorophyll (2004) Burn by HCl(g) on face (2003)

4 Laboratory Accidents (2002/03) PhyChemBioISES Chemical on skin Eye accidents Chemical spillage Heat Burns Inhalation of gas02000 Cuts Substances catching fire05120 Bites by animals00010 Others

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6 Safety in Exploring Science Interactive learning package On-line and CD- ROM versions gov.hk/~ses gov.hk/~ses

7 Learning and Teaching Resources on Safety in Science Laboratories Learning activities Laboratory Safety Rules Eye Protection Safety Information on Chemicals Risk Assessment What if a Laboratory Accident Happens

8 How does school LT work like? Dispenser or Pharmacist For a play in theater Teachers - Director and Audience Students - Actors Lab Technicians - Assistant Director LTs play key role in smooth running of laboratory Ms Esther Hon, HKLTA

9 Why school laboratory technicians are needed? As an experienced and skilled technicians Have a considerable skill and expertise not available anywhere else. Have a detailed knowledge of practical techniques and often greater expertise (than do the science teachers) in matters of TECHNIQUE, HEALTH & SAFETY, EFFICIENCY AND ECONCOMY. Ms Esther Hon, HKLTA

10 Science Safety Resource Manual (2003), British Columbia

11 L228 Technicians and Their Jobs L228 Technicians and Their Jobs

12 Laboratory Equipment (#1/3) Hand Protector 隔熱護手墊

13 Laboratory Equipment (#2/3) Reduce breakage of glassware Plasticware (e.g. dropper, beaker, funnel) polypropylene, polymethylpentene (TPX)) Thermometers Non-mercury filled Plastic coated Digital ( o C) 用反光膠紙替代玻璃鏡片 Inhalation of gases Microscale chemistry apparatus

14 Laboratory Equipment (#3/3) “ Bunsen Burner Screen ” Distribution of Equipment Flexicam Spectacle Cabinet “ Yellow Line ”

15 More Teaching Strategies Panoramic Scenes of a Science Laboratory files/a/1/182/webpage/vr_3d/ panorama/index.htm files/a/1/182/webpage/vr_3d/ panorama/index.htm Video on Evacuation Drill ip.org/html/phy.html ip.org/html/phy.html

16 Safety and Laboratory Facilities Building Bulletin 80 – Science Accommodation in Secondary Schools: A Design Guide. L14 Designing and Planning Laboratories, CLEAPSS L14 Designing and Planning Laboratories Science Facilities Standards (Texas) encetoolkit/safety/

17 Discussion #1 Did any accidents happen in your science laboratories during the past few years? List them out and share the nature and cause of the accidents with your group members. (15 mins)

18 Discussion #2 Laboratory technicians can contribute a lot in constructing a safe learning and teaching environment in various aspects. Focus on 2-3 of the following aspects and discuss your experience and suggestions with your group members. Put a tick on the aspects that you have discussed. (25 mins)  Procure appropriate chemicals and equipment for experiments  Prepare and check the requested materials for experiments  Tryout experiments  Provide assistance in class demonstrations  Assist teachers in supervising students during experiments  Maintain safety equipment and facilities  Check regularly to ensure all safety measures are in place  Implement and maintain safe storage and waste disposal systems for potentially dangerous substances used or produced in the course of laboratory work  Assist in planning and organizing emergency drills; and familarise with the operation of safety facilities and emergency procedures  Supervise the work of other LTs / laboratory attendants

19 Mr W C HO Tel.: Thank you!