In response to the Texas Hazardous Communication Act (THCA) of 1986 which raised many new health and liability issues regarding students in science laboratories, a laboratory safety survey was generated for use in evaluating laboratory safety. This article contains the easy-to-use survey. (ZWH)

Four questions chemistry teachers should regularly ask are How well informed am I on safety? Do I instruct students about safety in an appropriate manner? How well do I plan for safety? Do I accept my responsibility to supervise personally all laboratory activities? Answers to these questions are provided. (JN)

Discusses the changes that schools will have to make to ensure that all lab exercises are done in compliance with the new chemical hygiene law. Two tables are included: (1) Chemical Hygiene Compliance; and (2) Duties of a Chemical Hygiene Officer. (ZWH)

Describes various hazards associated with electricity and electrical usage that can result in fire, explosion, burn, and shock. Presents diverse techniques and methods that one can utilize to protect laboratory personnel from common, yet dangerous, electrical hazards. (Author/JJK)

Provides a framework that incorporates the diverse elements of risk management in science education into a systematic process and is adaptable to changing circumstances. Appendix contains risk management checklist for management, laboratory and storage, extreme biological and chemical hazards, protective equipment, waste disposal, electrical…

Presents a model, ChemSafe, that was developed to address and solve the allied problems of chemical purchase, storage, use, and disposal in schools. (ZWH)

Presents two scenarios to illustrate the difference between liability and negligence. Also presents highlights of four actual cases related to laboratory security, appropriate facilities, proper instructions, and protective gear. (JN)

Provides safety considerations related to chemistry experiments and demonstrations. Includes procedures for a volcano demonstration (which does not use ammonium dichromate) and three clock reactions, a list of hazardous chemicals, and a list of questions to help decide whether the risk of an experiment is acceptable for a class. (JN)

This module provides safety guidelines for vocational teachers, principals, and students in the vocational shop class, including tips on the prevention and handling of accidents if they occur. It answers questions on student and administrator liability in accident situations. Suggestions are included for increasing the safety of special needs…

This brief guide discusses ways to provide safe instruction and to minimize the risk of injury and potential liability in a laboratory environment. The three main concerns covered are: (1) the physical plant must be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); (2) the physical facility should have all tools in good…

An outdoor activity that demonstrates the Doppler effect is described. Class predictions are verified by actual involvement in collecting data. Presented is a method of analyzing data. Safety concerns are discussed. (KR)

Discusses the selection of gloves for the chemistry laboratory. Provides checklists for the purposes of the gloves, and the factors including permeation rate, breakthrough time, friction, and cost. Lists eight rules for preventing skin exposure and minimizing area contamination. Lists six references. (YP)

Described is a procedure by which the performance of chemical hoods can be tested. This procedure uses a mixture of dry ice and water to create a "smoke" for use in the test. Implications for sash design, performance evaluations and testing under standard and nonstandard conditions are discussed. (CW)

The purpose of this safety manual is to provide a resource to help manage and minimize potential risks in science classrooms where students spend up to 60% of instructional time engaged in hands-on activities. This manual contains information on standards, legal aspects, and responsibilities for science safety; general laboratory safety for…

This document provides information on the most commonly asked science safety questions by science teachers primarily at the secondary school level. Topics include the legal responsibilities of a science teacher, a general safety checklist, proper labeling and storing of chemicals, purchasing of new chemicals and disposing of old chemicals, a…