The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standard does not require that laboratory training relative to hazardous chemical use be conducted annually as a legal safety standard.  OSHA does however require safety training for the following situations:

• Before working in any school science lab with hazardous chemicals, teachers must receive safety training. This training ensures teachers understand the hazards, protective measures, and emergency procedures.  
• Teacher training must be provided before new assignments involving chemical exposure. If a teacher begins a new activity or task with unfamiliar chemicals or procedures, they must be trained by the Chemical Hygiene Officer on the specific hazards, health risks, and safety actions (e.g., Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] engineering controls) before starting. 
• Annual retraining required following annual Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) review and updates.  This retraining should cover content changes in the CHP, as well as the location and availability of reference materials (e.g. such as Safety Data Sheets.)

The OSHA Laboratory Standard states that an employer can determine the frequency of refresher training. Many K–12 school districts and colleges require annual laboratory safety training as a better professional safety practice and to demonstrate due diligence.  

As for better professional safety practice, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) recommends that K–12 science teachers receive annual laboratory safety training. NSTA’s Safety and School Science Instruction position statement says, “Training should occur on an annual basis so teachers can review, discuss, and update the safety program; share experiences and better professional practices; and receive legal updates and other information related to science instruction and safety.”  Even if a school is not under OSHA jurisdiction, better professional safety practice would entrail adhering to OSHA Laboratory safety standard and from other professional associations. 

While legal safety standards and better professional safety practices are not equal in legal authority, courts often give substantial weight to both when determining whether the duty of care owed to students and employees has been met in a K–12 science laboratory or classroom instructional space accident case.

Recommended Annual Refresher Safety Training Program for Chemical Hazards Topics

The annual refresher safety training program should be delivered via an initial training before classes begin as part of a professional development program, with an additional training, once a month as an agenda item in the science department meeting. The following chemical safety topics should be addressed: 

• requirements of the OSHA Laboratory Safety Program (29 CFR 1910.1450). 
• location and availability of the school’s written (CHP).
• applicable details of the CHP and any updates. 
• methods to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals, including: monitoring devices, visual observations, and odors or other indicators.
• physical hazards of chemicals in the laboratory, such as: flammables, oxidizers, reactives, and compressed gases. 
• health hazards of chemicals, including: corrosives, toxins, sensitizers, carcinogens, and reproductive hazards. 
• signs and symptoms of chemical exposure. 
• permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)and other exposure limits (where applicable).
• location and use of: Safety Data Sheets, chemical inventories, and reference materials on chemical hazards. 

Additional Recommended Protective Measures and Laboratory Procedures

Science and STEM teachers also need safety training on the following topics:

• standard operating procedures for laboratory activities.  
• appropriate use of PPE, fume hoods, eyewash and safety showers, spill kits, and fire extinguishers.
• emergency procedures for chemical spills, fire, exposures, first aid, and evacuations. 
• procedures for hazardous waste management and disposal.  
• procedures for particularly hazardous substances and designated areas, if applicable. 

Summary of Laboratory Training Components and Timelines

A strong laboratory safety training program typically requires the following components and timelines throughout the school year to be addressed for hazardous chemical use (as appropriate): 

• before a teacher is assigned to a new laboratory position. 
• at the beginning of each school year (annual refresher).
• whenever new hazards or procedures are introduced. 
• after incidents or identified deficiencies.
• after changes in the CHP. 
• risks created by laboratory renovations or changes. 
• changes in laws, regulations, and district policies. 
• reinforcement of safer instructional practices and emergency procedures.
• student supervision and classroom management during laboratory activities.
• incident reporting procedures. 
• laboratory accidents and lessons learned. 
• updates to district policies and safety procedures. 
• documentation of teacher competency and attendance.
• a laboratory accident, injury, or near miss. 
• unsafe practices.
• deficiencies identified by an inspection.  
• retraining on laboratory procedures not used for an extended period.

Bottom Line

Science and STEM laboratory and classroom instructional spaces present safety issues, given the potential for chemical hazards.  Holding on-going safety training during the school year is critical for creating a safer teaching and learning instructional space. Although this commentary focuses on potential chemical hazards, teachers should remember that there are additional potential biological and physical hazards to address during safety training with regard to other OSHA legal standards and better professional safety practices.

Submit questions regarding health and safety issues in science and STEM instructional spaces to Ken Roy at safersci@gmail.com. Follow Ken Roy on X: @drroysafersci.

The mission of NSTA is to transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy.