Safe Science Articles from Dr. Kenneth Roy
Dear Science Educators
These are exciting times in science education and unfortunately, also litigious times. They are exciting with all of the emphasis and opportunities to do hands-on, process and inquiry based science to help facilitate learning. They are litigious times, given the emphasis on teachers and their supervisors being responsible legally for making the laboratory a safer place to learn.
That is why I developed the Safe Science: Be Protected! series - "to help provide much lacking information for science educators to better protect themselves and their students relative to safer laboratory work." Please take the time to read through these articles and future ones to better help you prepare for a fun filled and safer science laboratory experience.
If you have any questions or would like to see other safety issues addressed in future columns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Special thanks goes to CSTA members for their willingness to provide this information in a format which is easily accessible for science educators.
Live Long and Prosper Safely!!!
Ken Roy
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dr. Kenneth R. Roy
Director of Environmental Health & Chemical Safety
Glastonbury Public Schools (CT)
Chief Science Safety Compliance Advisor/Author/NSTA Safety Blogger
National Science Teachers Association
Royk@glastonburyus.org
The Connecticut State Department of Education has updated the Science Safety Prudent Practices and Regulations. If you are a science teacher or supervisor/administrator in Connecticut - this is must know safety information to protect not only your students but you as a licensed professional!!
“Legal Protection for Science Teacher Employees”
"Connecticut High School Science Safety Prudent Practices and Regulations"
"Connecticut Middle School Science Safety Prudent Practices and Regulations"
"Science and Safety: It's Elementary"
| Safety Articles | Content |
|---|---|
| Creating Safer Science/STEM Instructional Spaces | Creating safer laboratory/classroom instructional spaces and related areas (prep rooms, storerooms, etc.) in the upcoming new school year |
|
Are You Shocked Without Safety? |
Checking the room for electrical safety, January 2022 |
|
Safety Incidents Unplanned - Security Incidents Planned! |
Planning for safety - and organizations that can help when planning a new lab |
|
Dealing with Hazardous Waste in a Safer Way |
Overview of what makes up hazardous wastes, how they should be stored and options for destroying. |
| Is your lab electrically safe? GFCI oulets and other electric safety concerns | |
| Chemical Toxicity and Health Hazards | Be aware of the difference between toxicity and hazard when using chemicals |
|
|
General lab ventilation requirements and hood ventilation |
| Awareness & Understanding of Lab Hazards | Improving Awareness of Lab Hazards between Teachers and Administration |
| Chemical Labeling Under OSHA |
Review of New Labeling Requirements under OSHA HCS GHS |
| Safer Science: Be Protected | Chemical Hygiene Plan: Medical Consultation |
| Hand Hazards | Legal Standards for Hand Protection |
| SDSs For A Safer Working Environment | Safety Data Sheets |
| Strategies for Safer Science Field Trips | Checklist to improve trip safety |
| Safer Science Seven | Strategies for Safer Science Classrooms |
| Safe Science: Be Protected! | Risk Prevention |
| Safety Goggles | Safety Goggles: What is "Clean"? |
| Lab Cleanup - Are We Done Yet? | Ending your labs safely with the safety dozen |
| KISS - Keep It Simple-Safety! | Ten easy and obvious do's and don'ts of science safety |
| Safety Under Glass | A list of items that teachers should embrace for safer greenhouse operation |
| The Dirty Safety Baker's Dozen Revisited! | 13 Common hazards and how to avoid them |
| UCLA Fatality: Wake-up Call for Sci. Teachers and Districts | Proper training and equipment requirements |
| Allergens in the Lab | Sources of potential allergens and what you should do about them. |
| Mercury: It is More than a Planet in our Solar System | Safe handling and disposal of mercury in the science lab |
| Wanted: Electricity | Safe practices for use of electricity for lab equipment |
| Ventilation: Are Science Labs Supposed to Smell? | Ventilation requirements for science labs |
| Wanted: Radon Gas - Dirty Dozen Science Lab | Hazards of Radon gas in the lab and surrounding areas |
| Addressing Blood Borne Pathogens Hazards (2001) | Safe handling & requirements for blood borne pathogens |
| Revisiting Blood Borne Pathogens in the Lab (2003) | Teacher and School Administrators responsibilities. |
| Latex Glove Allergies | Allergies dealing with latex |
| Chemical Exposure Limits: How Much is Too Much? | Exposure limits to Chemicals |
| Laboratory Refrigerators/Freezers: Cool It! | Safe and proper use of refrigerators in the lab |
| Have You Made the Mark-Facility Wise? | Signs and Labels in the Science Lab |
| Targeting BioSafety for High School Biotech and Microbiology Labs | Safety precautions and rules |
| Storage Space: Anything But Empty! Part 1 | General requirements for laboratory storage space |
| Storage Space: Anything But Empty! Part 2 | General requirements for laboratory storage space |
| First-Aid: Don't Worry About Using the Tourniquet! | General first-aid procedures for the science lab |
| Mold in the Laboratory: Spores are Us! | Conditions for mold growth and mold allergies in the lab |
| Constructing-Renovating Laboratories - The Twelve Truths | Conditions that should be met when planning science lab spaces |
| For A Safer Science Experience: Be Prepared! | Lab dress, labeling equipment and fire safety |
| Procedure! Procedure! Procedure! | Basic lab skills your students should know and practice |
| Knowing When and When Not to Throw Down the Gauntlet: The Knight of Science and the Suit of Armor | Laboratory gloves and aprons use and non-use |
| Sick Building or Laboratory Syndrome? | Allergies and causes of allergies in the science lab |
| Science Teacher Safety Training: Mandatory for Employer! | Employer awareness and safety training |
| Getting a Charge Out of Doing Science | Safe handling of electrical equipment in the lab |
| Seeing the Light II - Laser Safely! Part 1 | Safety cautions using lasers |