Teachers and teacher-aides should lead by example and wear personal protective equipment; follow and enforce safety rules, procedures, and practices; and demonstrate safety behavior and promote a culture of safety. They should be proactive in every aspect of laboratory safety, making safety a priority. The following is a checklist for teachers highlighting essential information for working in the high school laboratory. This is a general safety checklist and should be periodically re-evaluated for updates.

Upkeep of Laboratory and Equipment

• Conduct regular inspections of safety and first aid equipment as often as requested by the administration. Record the inspection date and the inspector’s initials on the attached equipment inspection tag.
• Notify the administration in writing if a hazardous or possibly hazardous condition (e.g., malfunctioning safety equipment or chemical hazard) is identified in the laboratory and follow through on the status.
• Never use defective equipment.

Recordkeeping

• Keep organized records on safety training of staff for as long as required by the school system.
• Keep records of all laboratory incidents for as long as required by the school system.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

• Educate students on the location and use of all safety and emergency equipment prior to laboratory activity.
• Identify safety procedures to follow in the event of an emergency/accident. Provide students with verbal and written safety procedures to follow in the event of an emergency/accident.
• Know the location of and how to use the cut-off switches and valves for the water, gas, and electricity in the laboratory.
• Know the location of and how to use all safety and emergency equipment (i.e., safety shower, eyewash, first-aid kit, fire blanket, fire extinguishers and mercury spill kits).
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near the phone.
• Conduct appropriate safety and evacuation drills on a regular basis.
• Explain in detail to students the consequences of violating safety rules and procedures.

Maintenance of Chemicals

• Perform regular inventory inspections of chemicals.
• Update the chemical inventory at least annually, or as requested by the administration. Provide a copy of the chemical inventory to the local emergency responders (i.e., fire department).
• Do not store food and drink with any chemicals.
• If possible, keep all chemicals in their original containers.
• Make sure all chemicals and reagents are labeled.
• Do not store chemicals on the lab bench, on the floor, or in the laboratory chemical hood.
• Ensure chemicals not in use are stored in a locked facility with limited access.
• Know the storage, handling, and disposal requirements for each chemical used.
• Make certain chemicals are disposed of properly. Consult the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet for disposal information and always follow appropriate chemical disposal regulations.

Preparing for Laboratory Activities

• Before each activity in the laboratory, weigh the potential risk factors against the educational value.
• Have an understanding of all the potential hazards of the materials, the process, and the equipment involved in every laboratory activity.
• Inspect all equipment/apparatus in the laboratory before use.
• Before entering the laboratory, instruct students on all laboratory procedures that will be conducted.
• Discuss all safety concerns and potential hazards related to the laboratory work that students will be performing before starting the work. Document in lesson plan book.

Ensuring Appropriate Laboratory Conduct

• Be a model for good safety conduct for students to follow.
• Make sure students are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e., chemical splash goggles, laboratory aprons or coats, and gloves).
• Enforce all safety rules and procedures at all times.
• Never leave students unsupervised in the laboratory.
• Never allow unauthorized visitors to enter the laboratory.
• Never allow students to take chemicals out of the laboratory.
• Never permit smoking, food, beverages, or gum in the laboratory.