Safety in the Science Classroom

OSHA Training Requirements and Guidelines for K–14 School Personnel (PDF) provides a summary of OSHA training requirements and guidelines, at both the national and state level, as determined by state. It provides training guidelines, characteristics of an acceptable trainer, and topics that are required among various states. Authored by Linda M. Stroud, PhD, NSTA Safety Advisory Board, Chair, 2009–2010; and Kenneth R. Roy, PhD, NSTA Science Safety Compliance Consultant.

Guidelines from NSTA's Safety Advisory Board

Safety Resources List

This list of resources includes professional societies, federal and state agencies, nonprofit and for-profit companies, and science supply houses that provide safety services and products for K–12 teachers and administrators. To be listed as a "for profit" company, the company must provide free materials/services to K–12 schools. If a company or individual knows of a safety resource and wishes to submit a request to be listed on this resource site, please send the request to Linda M. Stroud, PhD, NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chair; or Kenneth R. Roy , PhD, NSTA Science Safety Compliance Consultant.

Disclaimer:

Intended use and the purpose of this Safety Resource List is to improve laboratory safety and provide science teachers and school administrators with safety information to make prudent decisions regarding science laboratory safety based on legal standards and best professional practices.
SECO does not assume liability for accuracy of information.
SECO does not imply that methodologies and suggestions outlined are the ONLY applicable ones.
Mention of products/companies and any links to items or websites is not intended to reflect endorsement.

This List DOES NOT SUPERCEDE SCHOOL, SCHOOL SYSTEMS, LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAWS, REGULATIONS, CODES, AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the science teachers and school administrators to use appropriate legal standards and best professional practices under duty of care to make it safer in the science laboratory.

Resources for Middle / Secondary Schools

American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)

Find your poison control center: 800-222-1222

American Chemical Society

Chemical Safety for Teachers and Their Supervisors, Grades 7–12 (PDF)

California State Department of Education

Science Safety Handbook for California Public Schools

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

NIOSH—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Charles A. Dana Center, University of Texas at Austin

Science TEXS TOOLKIT

Connecticut State Department of Education

Council of State Science Supervisors

Science and Safety, Making the Connection—A Secondary Safety Guide

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Mercury in Schools Case Studies
School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)
School C3 Tool Kit
Sustainable School Design
Chemical Management Resource Guide for School Administrators. EPA December 2006 EPA 747-R-06-002 Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. Washington, DC 20460

Environment, Health, and Safety Online

Household Products Database

Fermi Center

Science Safety Issues

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lab Safety

Institute of Interactive Learning

Numerous materials

Illinois

Illinois Science Safety Manual (PDF)

Laboratory Safety Institute

Numerous publications

Local Hazardous Waste Program in King County Metro (Seattle)

Rehab the Lab

Maryland State Department of Education

Lab Safety Manual

Chapter on managing, handling, and disposing of chemicals

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

National Institute of Health (NIH)

Household Products MSDS Database

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

CAMEO Chemicals

Chemical Database With Response Recommendations for Over 6,000 Chemicals
Critical Response Information
Chemical Reactivity predicts what hazards could arise if chemicals were to mix.

NOAA Office of Response and Restoration

National Research Council (NRC)

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals

National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA)

NSELA Safety Position Statements

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Books:

Position Statements:

New York State Department of Education

Purdue University

Chemical Storage Guidelines

Science and Safety Consulting Services

Science Laboratory Safety Manual, Second Edition
Chemical Substitution List (PDF)
Eye Protection Options Poster (PDF)
Stroud, L.M. K–16 Science Laboratory Safety. The Science Reflector. 2009. Vol. 38, No. 3, Fall 2009.
Stroud, L.M. K–16 Science Laboratory Safety. The Science Reflector. 2009. Vol. 38, No. 2, Summer 2009.
Stroud, L.M. Do You Know the Law? The Science Reflector. 2009. Vol. 38, No. 1, Winter 2009.
Laws, Codes, Standards and Regulations Which Apply to Schools(PDF)
MSDS Activity for Chemicals(PDF)
Laboratory/Classroom Safety Practice Drills for Middle/Secondary Students (PDF)
Customized Comprehensive Science Safety Laboratory Program
Chemical Management System CD, Second Edition

U.S. Department of Transportation

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire Biological and Chemical Safety Plan (PDF)

Virginia State Department of Education

Safety in Science Teaching Manual (PDF)

Web Resources for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
Google the name of the chemical plus MSDS (e.g., sodium chloride MSDS)
Web Resources on Lab Techniques
Sigma Aldrich

Others: