The Right To Know Safety the Science Lab

“The Right To Know” Safety & the Science Lab

What is “The Right To Know” ? l The right to know is a law that states every person has a right to information about materials in their workplace that may be hazardous. l This is a federal law and applies to all states.

How does it apply to school? l School is your workplace. l This means you have a right to know if there are hazardous materials in this building. l I will tell you if we work with materials that may be hazardous. l Hazardous means dangerous in any way, so even something that causes a rash can be hazardous. It does not mean that it has to cause death or a major health problem/condition.

MSDS l MSDS is an acronym for Material Safety Data Sheet. l It contains important information about hazardous substances. l There is an MSDS sheet for every chemical/substance that has potentially hazardous ingredients. l These are usually kept in a central location and can be viewed at any time.

Student Rights l You have the right to: ¡Know if we will be using hazardous substances ¡See the MSDS sheet for any substance ¡Ask questions about the materials you work with ¡A safe working environment

Student Responsibilities l You are responsible for: ¡Listening to or reading the information about each substance ¡Following all instructions regarding each substance you use ¡Notify your teacher if there any spills or problems with these substances ¡Maintaining a safe workspace for you and your group members

Teacher Rights l I have the right to: ¡ Restrict students from using substances if I feel that they are not fulfilling their responsibilities ¡ Immediately stop any activities if substances are not used properly ¡ Adjust or change class procedures to fit the safety needs of specific activities ¡ A safe working environment

Teacher Responsibilities l I am responsible: ¡To enforce all rules, regulations & procedures ¡To maintain safe working conditions in the general classroom area ¡To remove students not working in a safe manner ¡To answer all questions about substances using class ¡To provide MSDS information and other safety instruction before each lab activity

Rules & Procedures l Follow all directions given by the teacher(s). l Notify the teacher immediately if there is a problem l Know where all safety equipment is kept l Ask before you do…. It will prevent many accidents

RULES AND PROCEDURES l Everyone is responsible for keeping the lab area clean and safe. l Report broken equipment immediately.

What else do I need to know? ? ? l I will restrict lab privileges for individual students that can not follow directions. l I may do weird things at times, but I will never supply you with materials that will cause lasting harm… as long as you use them properly.

There will be a quiz on this material…. Tomorrow.