Example of aHigh School Safety Assessment

Compiled by Heather Carberry

Class Lab Security

• External doors have electronic key security √• HS does not have them activated yet XX

Student/Parent Contract

• Students in lab classes must sign safety contracts √

• Parent must sign as well √

Basic Room Requirements

• Separate rooms for prep from lab √• Room for movement/egress/observation √• Two exits if more than 1000 sq ft ?• 60 sq ft per person ?• Max 24 per class √• Handicap access √• Ventilation (exchange rates 6-10 times per

hour for occupied) ?

General Rules (Covered in Flinn Contract)

• No horseplay √• No tasting √• Only authorized experiments √• Only do procedures by teachers √• Follow all instructions, oral and written √• No unauthorized experiments √• Report accidents immediately √• Never put chemicals back in containers √• No loose clothing/hair √• No food, drink, chewing, use of cosmetics in areas with hazardous

chemicals or biohazards are used √• Wash hands before and after with soap and water √

Expectations

• Students are also given instructions as to expected behavior– Treat room and

equipment with respect √– Inappropriate behavior or

equipment use will be disciplined √

– Students responsible for damage √

Master Shutoff

• HS has a master shutoff for both electricity and gas in each room √

• Gas shutoff is key-controlled √

Fire Alarms

• Alarm sensos– Heat sensors √– Smoke detectors √

• Fire suppression system sensors √

Fire Extinguishers

• Fire extinguishers a-b-c- type √• Signs for fire extinguisher √• Fire blankets not available XX

Eye Wash and Emergency Shower

• Eyewash √• Emergency shower √

Safety Shields

• Safety shields for classroom demonstration √

Goggles

• Students have goggles to wear √• Different types for different tasks (not

observed) XX• Sanitizer √

Electricity

• GFCI controls for outlets √• Raised outlets in floor…dangerous (I tripped

on them) XX

Electric/Amperage Supply

• Locked in prep area, key operation √

Animal Care

• There are no live animals at HS

Animal Care (N/A to HS)

• No poisonous animals in lab• Get animals from reputable suppliers• Dispose animal waste and cage materials in hygienic manner

– Adequate sized cages– Cleaned cages regular schedule– Locked, environmentally comfortable– Student allergies and accommodate– Gloves with vertebrates– Wash hands with soap after handling– Report and get medical treatment for bites– For unexpected animal death, have vet evaluate

Prep Areas/Locked Storage

• The prep areas were locked, and not accessible to students √

Fume Hood

• HS hoods are in lab and connect through to prep area (prep area locked) √

Chemical Storage

• Chemical storage– Secure area, lock and key √– Shelving of wood or other chemical resistant material with front lip .75

in high (no lip observed) XX – Not store chemical alpha √– Flammable separate from others in flammable cab √– Don’t directly vent √ – Corrosive chemical stored in separate appropriate containers √

• Lab, prep area, chemical storage area have diamond with highest hazard ratings posted (not observed) XX

• Complete and up-to-date chemical inventory (not observed) XX• All chemical containers labeled, legible in English and with

chemical/product name √

General Chemical Storage

– Nitric acid separate from acetic (not observed)– Lithium, potassium, sodium stored under dry

mineral oil (not observed)– Peroxide forming chemicals monitored for age and

removed after expired (not observed)– Heavy items on bottom shelves √– No chemicals on floor √– Storage dry and 50-80 degrees √– Chemicals separated into organic and inorganic,

then compatible and related √

Material Safety Data Sheets

• MSDS sheets kept easily available XX• MSDS of what used that day posted XX• MSDSes kept for 30 years (on computer

okay) XX

Chemical Storage

Spill Kits

• Spill kits (not observed)– Spill control pillows– Neutralizing agents for acids– Neutralizing agents for alkali spills– Equip such as brush, broom, pail, dustpan– Personal protective equip– Inert absorbents (sand, kitty litter)

Protective Gear• Gear to protect

against cold or hot materials– Gloves √– Tongs (not observed)– Mittens √– Aprons √

Types of Gloves

• Students should always wear correct gloves for task at hand (not easy to determine types in drawer)

• Latex/vinyl ?• Butyl rubber ?• Cotton √• Asbestos ?• Polyvinyl alcohol ?• Nitrile rubber ?• Neoprene √

Disabled Student Accommodations

• This sink and lab desk are sized to accommodate wheelchairs. They are located in close proximity for ease of use. √

Sinks

• Sinks should have an aerator attachment, as shown. √

• Students should wash their hands with soap and water before and after experiments. √

Storage in the Lab

• There is ample storage in the lab, but construction is not complete. This cabinet began to tip when the door was opened. It will be anchored to the wall soon. XX

Evacuation Procedures

• Each room had posted evacuation procedures √

First Aid

• First aid kits (not observed) XX• Number for school nurse office (not observed)

XX

Glassware Safety Rules

• Lubricate glassware (tubes, thermometers) before putting in stopper √

• Use towels or gloves to protect hands when inserting √

• Never use chipped, cracked, scratched glass √• Broken glassware goes in box or hard plastic

container with plastic liner √• Glass drying racks for drying √

Burner/Heat Safety

• Never leave lit burners unattended √• Anything heating or reacting shouldn’t be left

unattended å Turn off burner or hot plate when not being

used √• Cool down hot items √

Lab Process

• Keep clean work areas √• Students use lab

notes/instructions/worksheets/necessary equip in lab area √

• Personal equip in locker or class area (not observed)• Orderliness required (no live lab observed)• Personal protective equip used √– Gloves, apron, chemical splash goggles, closed toe foot

protection √• Use suction bulb for pipettes; no mouth suction √

Teacher Requirements(Some Difficult to Assess without Observation of Lab)• Teachers vigilant in safety inspections• Report hazards• Do demos before assigning lab to students• Give verbal and written safety instructions √• Post safety rules visibly• Never leave students unsupervised• Students read and sign lab safety contracts √• Review safety procedures before lab• Ensure student accountability…for example, testing• Don’t overlook safety infractions• Document all safety planning in plan book• Instruct students in proper use of safety equip• Food not in same fridge as chemicals or biohazard material

Sharps

• Pins, needles probes, knives, scissors used carefully and discarded in “sharps only” containers (not observed) √

Waste

• Dispose of chemical waste as specified on MSDS or by teacher √

• Chemicals not mixed in drains ?• Sinks only for water and those

substances okayed by teacher ?• Solid trash disposed of properly ?• Glass broken in special container,

labeled √

Biological Safety

• DNA and microbes handled as if they can cause infections ?

• Wash soap and water before and after √• Gloves, chem splash goggles and aprons req √• Hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth √• Decontaminate work surfaces before and after and

after spills √• Decontaminate all labware in bleach solution ?• Destroy all experimental microorganisms prior to

disposal ?

Pathogens

• Keep blood-borne pathogens away from other people ?

• No blood work with students ?• Safe alternatives to risky lab activities ?

Bio Labs

• MSDS info XX• Nurse to ask about specimen prep chemicals (allergies) ?• Splash goggles, gloves, aprons √• Eye wash procedures √• Specimen completely rinsed to avoid contact with

chemicals ?• Mount specimen on dissecting pan…no holding ?• Sharps used with caution; proper disposal √• Cut away from body ?• Never remove dissected parts from lab ?

Summary• High School conforms to many safety standards

– Use of Flinn’s Safety Contract– Locked preparation areas with chemical storage– Well-marked eyewash stations and showers in every lab– Many other standards met

• Some requirements are in progress– Securing all cabinets– Electronic security

• There are a few gaps in safety procedures– Lack of MSDSes– Outlets raised– First aid kits

• Some safety questions were not answered or observed in the time I was touring; follow-up questions were submitted, but I have not received answers to date.