Safety First

This book chapter gives an extensive description of how to deal with student mobility problems in the laboratory. It also gives some explanation of new and existing laws and rules about cla... See More

This book chapter gives an extensive description of how to deal with student mobility problems in the laboratory. It also gives some explanation of new and existing laws and rules about classroom laboratory safety.

The importance of safety

This series of essays which form chapter 1 in an NSTA Science Safety book discuss the importance of safety from a legal standpoint, the rights of students (especially those with disabilities... See More

This series of essays which form chapter 1 in an NSTA Science Safety book discuss the importance of safety from a legal standpoint, the rights of students (especially those with disabilities), and the responsibilities of schools to provide safe environments. Because it is based on a series of essays, some of the information is redundant - but since it is the most important information on legal aspects that can be overlooked. One thing that stood out to me as an experienced teacher was that the author described best-case situations. For example, in our district the Chemical compliance officer was generally the head custodian, not a chemistry teacher, and did not generally make an effort to communicate with the science department concerning chemicals found there - probably a legal no-no and something that readers should think about - how their situation compares with this best-case and what the ramifications of their individual situations might be. An important read for secondary science teachers and undergraduate instructors can probably learn from this as well.