SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Safety is a critical part of planning
in the elementary science classroom.
The Knox County School System
wants all students to have
the opportunity to explore
and experiment with the natural
world in a safety conscious
environment. As activities
are planned, the safety of
the teacher and students should
be considered with prudence.
Some of the safety considerations
are listed below:
1. Teachers should be sure they have
the MSDS's for any chemicals
and that they understand the
chemicals' hazards before using
them with students. Dangerous
chemicals should not be used
in the elementary classroom.
The following items are examples
of chemicals that are considered
hazardous for the elementary
classroom: Lycopodium Powder,
Acetone or nail polish remover,
Ammonia, Methyl Alcohol or
duplicator fluid or shellac
thinner, Mapthalene or moth
balls, Oxalic Acid, Potassium
Nitrate of Saltpeter, Sodium
Hydroxide or lye or caustic
soda, Sodium Hypochlorite or
bleach, Hydrochloric Acid or
muriatic acid, Sodium Thiosulfate
or photo fixer, Iodine, Stearric
Acid, Sulfuric Acid or battery
acid, Trisodium Phosphate.
Before using any of the above listed
chemicals or any hazardous
chemical at the elementary
level, the science department
is to be contacted.
2. Do not allow food or drink in a
laboratory chemicals.
3. Do not allow students to taste
or smell chemicals.
4. Students should wear gloves when
handling chemicals, tissue
samples, or any matter that
may cause a student to have
a reaction.
5. Science activities should begin
only after all directions have
been given.
6. Students should not be allowed
to work with an open flame
in the elementary grades. Alcohol
burners may not be used in
an elementary school setting.
7. Orient students to the need for
and use of eye protection devices.
Assure that all persons performing
science activities involving
hazards to the eye wear approved
goggles. All persons in dangerous
proximity to such activities
must likewise be equipped.
8. Never leave students unattended
once they have begun experiments.
9. Perform experiments with the students
only after you have performed
them yourself.
10. Review your basic class safety
rules everytime you conduct
a science experience.
The list above contains safety guidlines
that will make all science
classrooms safer. It is not
a comprehensive list of all
the safety guidlines teachers
are to follow. All rules and
regulations in the state law
and the Knox County Board of
Education Policy Handbook should
be followed.
© 2005, Knox County School Science
Dept..
