Education

Lab Safety Tips

April 30, 2003 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

While science labs can be dangerous places, schools can take several steps to prevent accidents, experts say. Those measures include:

Limiting class sizes. Accidents rise dramatically along with the number of students in a science lab, according to Sandra W. West, an associate professor of biology at Southwest Texas State University. In classes with more than 24 students, 58 percent had a mishap—ranging from a minor chemical spill to an accident with injury—in the previous year, according to a 2001 survey of Texas teachers conducted by Ms. West. Such incidents happened at less than half the rate in labs with 22 or fewer students.

Expanding classroom space. The accident rate in rooms smaller than 800 square feet is more than four times as high as it is in rooms larger than 1,200 square feet, according to Ms. West’s studies. Mishaps are six times more likely when a room has 41 square feet per student than when it has 60 square feet per student.

Teaching teachers safety practices. Teachers who know about safe practices are more likely to head off problems than those who haven’t been trained.

Being careful with chemicals. Keep chemicals in a locked room with a fireproof door, the National Science Teachers Association recommends in its Guide to School Science Facilities. Reduce inventory to keep all that teachers need for just a year or two. Label all chemicals clearly, including solutions combining two or more chemicals, Ms. West says.

Keeping other classes out of science rooms. Science classrooms typically have extra electrical outlets, plumbing, and gas lines. Consequently, teachers who work in them need to be prepared for problems that might occur because students use the gas or electrical equipment when they’re not supposed to. The best preventive step is to keep other classes out of those rooms.

Establishing dress codes. Open-toed sandals leave students’ skin vulnerable if acids spill during a chemistry experiment, and long hair can fall into a flame if it’s not pulled back, according John Whitsett, a science teacher at Fond du Lac High School, in Fond du Lac, Wis., who is active in statewide safety projects.

Events

Student Well-Being Webinar After-School Learning Top Priority: Academics or Fun?
Join our expert panel to discuss how after-school programs and schools can work together to help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss.
Budget & Finance Webinar Leverage New Funding Sources with Data-Informed Practices
Address the whole child using data-informed practices, gain valuable insights, and learn strategies that can benefit your district.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Classroom Technology Webinar
ChatGPT & Education: 8 Ways AI Improves Student Outcomes
Revolutionize student success! Don't miss our expert-led webinar demonstrating practical ways AI tools will elevate learning experiences.
Content provided by Inzata

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: May 17, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: May 3, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: April 26, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: March 29, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read