aking the Connection - csss-science.org

1 Making the Connection Science & Safety Making the Connection A Note to the User With the increasing emphasis on hands-on, endorsement should be read into inclusion or Bill Fulton, Science Specialist, Arkansas minds-on inquiry instruction at all levels in the omission of any referenced material within this Department of Education National Science Education Standards (NSES) and document. For more information about specific Linda Sinclair, Science Consultant, South most state frameworks or courses of study, it questions in the document as they pertain to a par- Carolina Department of Education becomes more incumbent upon science teachers to ticular locale or state, contact your local or state Brenda West, West Virginia Department of be as knowledgeable as possible about laboratory fire marshal, building commission, health depart- Education safety issues and their own responsibilities.

2 As ment/poison control center, environmental regula- science supervisors/specialists, the members of the tory and state Occupational Safety and Health Marsha Winegarner, Science Program Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) are Administration (OSHA) agency, or science spe- Specialist, Florida Department of Education constantly receiving questions from teachers and cialist at the local or state board of education/edu- The Chair of the CSSS Safety Committee administrators about safety issues, responsibilities, cation agency. wishes to thank Dr. Jack Gerlovich, Drake and liability. This document, which addresses ten The Council of State Science Supervisors, an University, Des Moines, Iowa; Dr. Lee of the most commonly asked questions, is one organization of state science supervisors/special- Summerlin, University of Alabama at response to those inquiries.

3 Ists throughout the United States, has a long histo- Birmingham; Steve Weinberg, president of CSSS;. The goal of this document is to provide a ry of working with other science education organi- and the staff of the American Chemical Society handy, concise reference for science teachers, pri- zations and professional groups to improve sci- (ACS), Washington, , for their review of the marily at the secondary (9 12) level. They can ence education. For more information about draft of the document and valuable comments and refer to it for information and resources on some CSSS and its membership, direct your browser to suggestions. Thanks are also due to the American of the most commonly asked questions that con- Chemical Society, the Eisenhower National cern science teachers.

4 Resources cited are in Members of the CSSS Safety Committee who Clearinghouse (ENC), the National Aeronautics paper, electronic, and Internet accessible forms. It developed this document are: and Space Administration (NASA), the National should be clear that this document cannot be com- Christina Castillo-Comer, Texas Education Institutes of Health (NIH), and others who made prehensive because of limitations of the format Agency the printing and distribution of this document to and purpose. It is hoped that the most important Bob Davis, Secondary Science Specialist, teachers across the country possible at no charge. information needed about the topics is incorporat- Alabama Department of Education (Chair). ed. No implication of endorsement or lack of DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in this document have been compiled using sources Connection therewith.

5 The document is intended to provide basic guidelines for safe practices and believed to be reliable and to represent the best opinions on the subject. As stated above, the goal facilities. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that ALL necessary warnings and precautionary meas- of this document is to provide a handy, concise reference that science teachers, primarily at the ures are contained in this document and that other or additional information or measures may not secondary (9 12) level, can refer to for information and resources on some of the most commonly be required. It is advised that users of this document should also consult pertinent local, state, and asked questions that concern science teachers. The document as a whole does not purport to federal laws pertaining to their specific jurisdictions, as well as legal counsel, prior to initiating any specify minimal legal standards.

6 No warranty, guarantee, or representation is made by the Council safety program. Registered names and trademarks, etc., used in this publication, even without of State Science Supervisors or its consulting partners as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the infor- specific indication thereof, are not to be considered unprotected by law. mation contained herein, and the Council and its supporting partners assume no responsibility in What are my legal responsibilities as a science teacher relating to negligence? The LEGAL DEFINITION of "negligence" is Identifies and clarifies any specific risk mized or responsibility transferred to another important for every teacher to know. Negligence, involved, explains proper procedures/tech- authorized person if the situation allows.

7 As defined by the courts today, is conduct that falls niques to be used, and presents comments below a standard of care established by law or concerning appropriate/inappropriate con- duct in the lab. DUTY OF MAINTENANCE includes ensuring profession to protect others from an unreasonable a safe environment for students and teachers. This risk of harm, or the failure to exercise due care. It Instruction must follow professional and dis- requires that the teacher: should be noted that in the absence of specific trict guidelines. laws or local policies, the standard of care expect- Teachers who set bad examples by not follow- Never use defective equipment for any rea- ed is set by the profession, , position state- ing proper laboratory procedures may be sued if son.

8 Ments adopted by the National Science Teachers injury results from students following the File written reports for maintenance/correc- Association (NSTA), the National Association of teacher's bad examples. tion of hazardous conditions or defective Biology Teachers (NABT), the American equipment with responsible administrators. Chemical Society (ACS), or the Council of State DUTY OF SUPERVISION includes adequate Establish regular inspection schedules and Science Supervisors (CSSS). supervision as defined by professional, legal, and procedures for checking safety and first-aid The science teacher has three basic duties relat- district guidelines to ensure students behave prop- equipment. ing to the modern concept of negligence: erly in light of any foreseeable dangers.

9 Points to Follow all safety guidelines concerning prop- Duty of instruction. remember: er labeling, storage, and disposal of chemi- Misbehavior of any type must not be tolerat- cals. Duty of supervision. ed. Duty to properly maintain facilities and By keeping files of all hazard notifications and equipment. Failure to act or improper action is grounds maintenance inspections, teacher liability in the for liability. Failure to perform any duty may result in a event of an accident is minimized in cases where finding that a teacher and/or administrator within a The greater the degree of danger, the higher no corrective actions were subsequently made. the level of supervision should be. school system is/are liable for damages and a judgment and award against him/them.

10 The younger the age of students or the greater the degree of inclusion of special DUTY OF INSTRUCTION includes adequate population students, the greater the level of supervision should be. instruction before a laboratory activity (preferably in writing) that: Students must never be left unattended, except in an emergency where the potential Is accurate; is appropriate to the situation, harm is greater than the perceived risk to setting, and maturity of the audience; and students. Even then, risk should be mini- addresses reasonably foreseeable dangers. Where can I find a general science-safety checklist? The following Internet sites and software are excel- tain that instructor and students wear ade- Model, post, and enforce all safety proce- lent sources for information concerning science quate protective equipment, including espe- dures.