» Skills for Safe Science

LESSONS

Section 1: Laboratory Safety Issues

• 7 THE SAFE WAY TO BEHAVE Introduces students to the idea of safe behaviour in the laboratory, by looking at causes, corrections, and consequences.
• 9 SAFETY RULES - OK! Further exploration of laboratory safety, as students generate their own set of safety rules to be agreed by the class.
• 11 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Raises awareness of the location of emergency facilities around the laboratory, and, in so doing, raises awareness of potential hazards.
• 13 EMERGENCY AID Teaches students how to respond when faced with various emergency situations.
• 15 FIRE! Raises student awareness of what to do in the event of a fire in the laboratory.
• 17 HAZARD SYMBOLS Introduces the concept of hazard symbols, and asks students to consider how chemicals should be stored and moved around.
• 19 LIGHT AND SOUND Students consider levels of lighting and sound in the laboratory.
• 21 FLOORS AND BENCHES Students consider the safety characteristics of materials used in the construction of laboratories.

Section 2: Chemical Safety Issues

• 23 HANDLING CHEMICALS The correct way to handle chemicals and move them around.
• 25 HANDLING SPILLAGES The correct way to deal with various chemical spills.
• 27 CLEARING UP Promotes tidy working and awareness of issues related to clearing up.
• 29 HANDLING GLASSWARE Shows safe practice in the handling of glassware.

Section 3: Electrical Safety Issues

• 31 ELECTRICAL SAFETY Raises awareness of safety issues related to mains electricity, including earthing, fuses and circuit breakers.
• 33 WIRING A PLUG A practical lesson in the wiring of a domestic plug which promotes an understanding of the safe use of electricity.
• 35 ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS Students are taught safe ways to use laboratory electrical equipment.

Section 4: Biological Safety Issues

• 37 SAFETY WITH MICROSCOPES Teaches students safe practice in the use of microscopes.
• 39 HANDLING ANIMALS Raises student awareness of issues involved in keeping animals.
• 41 HANDLING MICROBES Highlights the procedures for handling microbes in a laboratory.
• 43 HANDLING DISSECTION Explores issues involved in dealing with biological material.

Section 5: Heating Safety Issues

• 45 BUNSEN BURNER I Introduces the Bunsen burner and explains how to use it safely.
• 47 BUNSEN BURNER 2 Students compare the qualities and effects of different flames.
• 49 HEATING SUBSTANCES 1 Students generate safety rules for the heating of different substances.
• 51 HEATING SUBSTANCES 2 Students learn about different heating techniques for different materials.

Section 6: Safety in Investigative Work

• 53 SELECTING EQUIPMENT: A homework page that develops students' ability to HOMEWORK select the correct equipment for particular investigations.
• 55 HAZARDS Supports higher level students in the use of standard resources, such as Hazcards, to carry out Risk Assessments.
• 57 RISK ASSESSMENT: CHEMISTRY Introduces Risk Assessment in Chemistry practicals.
• 59 RISK ASSESSMENT: PHYSICS Introduces Risk Assessment in Physics practicals.
• 61 RISK ASSESSMENT: BIOLOGY Introduces Risk Assessment in Biology practicals.