In any environment that contains hazardous equipment, especially when around younger pupils, safety should always be a top priority. School science lessons and labs require students to follow rules to prevent any potential accidents or injuries. But why are lab safety rules for students so crucial in these environments?
In this article, we will explore why students must have rules to follow in science lessons. We will also provide a list of key safety rules for students to follow in science lessons/in the lab and a guide to ensure teachers keep students safe.
Why science classroom rules are important
Adhering to safety regulations is paramount for school students when working with potentially dangerous tools and materials. Established guidelines help ensure everyone stays safe while teaching young learners caution and responsibility in using tools and experiments. Having the right attitude towards safety is essential for creating a secure and informative learning environment – where students can explore without worrying about possible risks. Following lab safety rules for students not only help reduce the risk of accidents or injuries and ensures that resources in the classroom or laboratory are used efficiently and maintained in a clean and hazard-free space.
What are the top 10 science lab rules for students:
- Wear protective gear, including safety goggles, gloves, masks and long-sleeved clothing. Make sure all your kit fits appropriately and is in good condition.
- Always carefully read and follow instructions and signage displayed around the lab.
- Work with one partner at a time and ensure you know what the other is doing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after completing an experiment or task in the laboratory.
- Never eat or drink in the science laboratory, as there is too much risk of contaminating your food, and you might accidentally reach for and drink the wrong liquid.
- Ask your teacher for help before touching anything unfamiliar or unfamiliar with tasks.
- Properly dispose of waste – Follow instructions for disposing of hazardous substances like solvents and acids accordingly. Ensure you document all materials used during an experiment for easy disposal procedures.
- Never point chemical containers or breakable items towards yourself or others in the lab.
- Keep desks, shelves and work areas clean and organised at all times during experiments or tasks in the laboratory.
- Immediately clean up spills to prevent possible risks from exposure to hazardous material. Know where spill kits are located in case of emergency, and report large spills immediately to a teacher or supervisor for further assistance and investigation if necessary.
How teachers can minimise safety risks in a science classroom or lab
A school science laboratory is an environment that requires thorough care and attention paid to health and safety procedures. Below are the most common science lab hazards and ways teachers and lab technicians can minimise hazards in a school science lab:
- Provide thorough training, which should consist of a look at the hazards involved with this specific piece of equipment, do’s-and-don’ts for safe use, a look at the features and capabilities of the equipment and a live demonstration for students.
- Provide PPE – All school laboratories should have an inventory of PPE for use during lessons involving potentially harmful chemicals.
- Lock chemicals and equipment away.
- Never leave students unsupervised, whether carrying out a practical task or not; plenty of equipment throughout the room could become potentially hazardous if misused.
- Provide emergency precautions like spill kits, eye wash stations, and large wash basins.
Having the right attitude towards safety is essential for creating a secure and informative learning environment – where students can explore without worrying about possible risks. Techmate can provide the necessary equipment to keep students and teachers safe in lab settings through our range of protective equipment, such as lab safety clothing, protective eyewear, eyewash station equipment and safety signage.
Not sure what you need? Get in touch with us at Techmate today!
