NSTA :: Safety Portal

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 in the Science Classroom, Laboratory, or Field Sites (PDF) [added 2013.05.23]
Tips for the Safer Handling of Microorganisms in the School Science Laboratory (PDF) [added 2012.05.09]
Safety Acknowledgment Form for Working with Microorganisms (PDF) [added 2012.05.09]
YouTube and Other Public Posting of Science Demonstration Videos (PDF) [added 2012.05.09]
Eye Protection for Your Laboratory
Safe Handling of Alcohol in the Laboratory

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.
NSTA does not assume liability for accuracy of information.
NSTA 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

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Specialized Information Services (SIS) recently released a new Enviro-Health Links page, "Laboratory Safety," which offers links to information for clinical, academic, and school laboratories, including resources for handling chemical, biological, and nanotechnology safely. Also included are links to regulations and policy, hazard analysis, MSDS, waste management, and preformulated TOXNET and PubMed searches.

American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)