Florida Association of Science Supervisors

October 26, 2007

What are school science lab investigations good for?

enhancing mastery of subject matter;developing scientific reasoning;understanding the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work;developing practical skills;understanding the nature of science;cultivating interest in science and interest in learning science; and

developing teamwork abilities. America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science (2005)

A Study of lab injury data in Iowa revealed that:

The number of claims rose from 674 in 1990-1993 to 1,002 in 1993-1996, and the cost to insurance companies rose from $1.68 to $2.3 million. the number of law-suits grew from 96 to 245, and awards in these suits grew from $566,305 to $1.2 million

(Gerlovich et al., 2002)

Maintaining student safety during laboratory experiences is a critical concern, but little systematic information is available about safety problems and solutions.

America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science (2005)

The Council of Chief State Science Supervisors (CCSSS) has defined three essential lab

safety duties of every classroom science teacher :

The duty of instruction.

The duty of supervision.

The duty of maintenance.

Duty of Instruction“Teachers must instruct students prior to any laboratory activity, providing accurate, appropriate information about foreseeable dangers; identifying and clarifying any specific risks; explaining proper procedures/techniques; and describing appropriate behavior in the

lab. These instructions must follow professional and district guidelines.”

Duty of Supervision.“…not tolerating misbehavior,

providing greater supervision in more dangerous situations,

providing greater supervision to younger students and those with special needs, and never leaving students unattended.”

Duty of Maintenance “…never use defective equipment, file written reports for maintenance or correction of hazardous conditions or defective equipment, establish regular inspections of safety equipment and procedures, and follow all guidelines for handling and disposing of chemicals.”

What are Standards of Care?The Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., and the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. establish guidelines for class and lab size. The current standards call for 50 sq.ft. of workspace per student.

OSHA established the Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), which requires school science teachers to create and maintain a chemical hygiene plan (CHP). The CHP requires proper labeling of all chemicals, using a

Material Safety Data Sheet, which outlines important safety information, and safe storage.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

administers: (1) the Resource Conservation and

Recovery Act, (2) the Emergency Planning and Right-

to-Know laws and regulations, and (3) the Toxic Substances Control Act. To

carry out provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, EPA issues regulations and guidelines governing safe storage of laboratory chemicals, equipment, and

supplies.

(http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/teacher.html).

In addition to these federal standards of care, the the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has

established voluntary standards for laboratory safety that include:

ANSI Z358.1—guidelines for establishing the correct design, installation, use, and performance of emergency safety equipment.ANSI Z87—guidelines for protective equipment at easily accessible locations.the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established voluntary standards for laboratory safety that include:ANSI Z358.1—guidelines for establishing the correct design, installation, use, and performance of emergency safety equipment.

ANSI Z87—guidelines for protective equipment at easily accessible locations.

How does a classroom teacher keep up with the myriad

guidelines and regulations governing lab safety?

Lab Safety Best Practices Manual

Florida’s teachers need an up to date central source that:

Clearly delineates their responsibilities and provides guidance through the maze of federal and state regulations,Provides clear and specific guidelines for safety as it pertains to each grade level and content area, andOffers recommendations for enhancing lab safety conditions and practices in the environment within which they teach.

How can FASS help?Relate the specific needs of your district,share procedures and best practices that have been effective in your district, andwork within your district to raise the profile of lab safety throughout the school system.

Florida Association of Science Supervisors

October 26, 2007