So the pro-active approach (which we in Delaware are working on) is to make safety planning a part of the lesson planning that should be happening in
all curricular areas.
The message I give to teachers and administrators is that safer science begins with the lesson plan. Whenever a lesson that involves
a lab or lab demonstration is being planned, I ask three things:
1)
What is the learning objective?
2)
What are the students doing while the lab work or demo is going on?
3)
Based on question 2, how are students to be assessed on what they did?
If the "really amazing demonstration" can't answer these three questions (all very familiar to educators at all levels), I would question
whether the demo is safe.
As teachers plan laboratory investigations for students, the plan should include
•
A hazard analysis
•
A risk assessmentÑa critical analysis of the probability of harm and the severity of harm. The risk assessment will take into account the facility, the students, and
if done correctly, the teacher's expertise.
•
Appropriate safety actions. This is where hard decisions come into play. Do we have the necessary engineering controls? Have we instructed on proper procedures for
handling materials? Do we have the correct personal protective equipment?
The point is, as educators and mentors, we have a duty to model safety. Risk cannot be eliminated. It can, however, be managed.
I also tell my teachers that it is appropriate (and highly recommended) that student lab reports also include a section on safety precautions. This is how we foster a culture of safety.
Eddie McGrath
Edward J. McGrath
Supervisor of Science
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 552-3768
We did not inherit the Earth from our parents. We borrowed it from our children.
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU]
On Behalf Of Reinhardt, Peter
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2017 12:00 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 'Large fireball' injures students in chemistry experiment gone wrong
If that happens, I fear that the School Boards won't improve safetyÑthey'll just eliminate science labs instead.
A few multi-million dollar settlements will get the schools attention.
Like everyone else I am at a loss as to why the warnings about the Rainbow demo do not seem to get to folks who need to here it. All I can do is on an individual bases. Any meeting I attend, professional, safety related, whatever I ask
that anyone who knows middle or highscool science teachers or has a student at that level to ask if they do it and provide my contact info. I have had calls from several teachers and most rewardingly a Superintendant of one of the largest SD's in the area.
It may not be much, but if it stops one incident its worth the time. I would recommend we all do this. Steve
h but if it stops one incident.
Sent from my Sprint Phone.
-------- Original message --------
Date: 11/24/2017 12:05 (GMT-05:00)
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 'Large fireball' injures students in chemistry experiment gone wrong
>What is needed is common sense. Is this something that can be learned?
The question is where the common sense needs to be located. The NFPA has already laid out very explicit expectations for classroom chemical demonstrations that enable a prudent person to work safely. However, it's not clear to me that either the teachers (or
other demonstrators in public spaces, such as museums, daycares or scout gatherings) are aware of this standard. In my opinion, school administrators need to be more curious about why not...
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
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