hendrix college undergraduate lab safety

Safety Here, Safety There, Safety, Safety Everywhere

Using Educator and other tools to integrate safety into the curriculum

Shelly BradleyHendrix CollegeNRCC – CHOAuthorized OSHA Trainer

Hendrix College 2010 2

Hendrix College Safety Program

Safety training – Basic rules

Lab handouts

Faculty reinforcement of rules

Labeling


ACS Safety Guidelines

“Discussion of the hazards involved in specific experiments…”

“progress…develop a high degree of safety awareness…”

“…build a health and safety information knowledge base.”

“…safety procedures and processes…experience in handling hazardous materials safely.”


Safety Lecture

Beginning of each semester Basic 1st and 2nd year Advanced for upper level

Information Progresses each semester Basic Rules General Health and Safety Knowledge – Builds

on previous semester/course Increasingly more interactive


Lab Handouts / Prelab Lecture

Hazard information in body of experiment

Faculty reinforced during prelab

Consistent throughout curriculum

CAUTION – Digesting materials in HNO3 will generate the brown, noxious gas, NO2(g). When the sample is destroyed (solution is transparent, no visible material), remove the beaker from the heat using tongs and remove the watch glass, keeping the solution in the hood. This will allow the NO2 to escape into the hood and should leave a transparent, colorless solution, usually 10-15 min is sufficient.


Web-based Course Management Tools

Educator

Blackboard

WebCT


Prelab Safety Quiz

Initiated Fall 2009 – Non-mandatory Increasing Participation Positive student feedback

Safety Quizzes

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

Fe by UV-Vis Fe by AA MM of an Acid

Experiment

% P

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Laboratory Environment

Warning labels on hazardous chemicals

Secondary containers

Faculty reinforcement

PPE enforcement departmentally


Integration of Disposal Procedures

Where possible disposal integrated into procedure

Elementary neutralization performed by students in lab


Green Chemistry Emphasized

Organic LabGreen techniques notedLess green alternatives discussedVolume reductionLet students know there is a choice

In process – throughout curriculum


Upper-Level Laboratory

Culminating experience for majors

Independent Research Initiative (IRI)

Put in to practice all that they’ve learned


IRI Safety Requirements

Obtain and evaluate MSDS’s

Determine hazards

Discuss risks with CHO

Outline proper procedure to minimize risks

Evaluate waste stream

Determine proper disposal methods


ACS Guidelines

How Did We Do?


ACS Guidelines Regarding Safety

Hazard Identification

Minimize Exposure / Reduce Risk

Hazard and Risk Information

Safety Procedures and Processes


Hazard Identification

Progressive Safety Lecture

Laboratory Handouts

Safety Quizzes

Prelab Lecture

Hazard Labels

Faculty / Staff Reinforcement


Minimize Exposure / Reduce Risk

Green chemical choices and reduced volumes discussed with students

Upper-level students responsible for risk assessment

Intentional about teaching why instead of just what


Hazard and Risk Information

Sources referred to in Progressive Safety Lectures

Safety library easily accessible

MSDS’s prominently displayed

MSDS exercise


Safety Procedures and Processes

Faculty and staff reinforcement

Written SOP for specific hazardous operations – student signature required

Accident reviews

Involve students in process


How Can We Do Better?

Ideas to engage students more effectively Teaching Chemistry Lab Safety Through Comics

Di Raddo, P. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 571-573.

A Lab Safety “Scavenger Hunt” Helser, T. L. J. Chem. Educ. 1999, 76, 68.

A Laboratory Safety Trivia Game Miller, G. J., Heidman, S. A., Greenbowe, T. J. J. Chem. Educ.

2000, 77, 1185-1187.

Expand safety quizzes to have knowledge base info on weeks with no hazards


Value of Presenting at ACS

Forces focus on safety

Find new resources

More clear about objectives and solutions


Acknowledgements

Hendrix College Administration

Hendrix College Chemistry DepartmentDr. Tom Goodwin Dr. Randy Kopper

Dr. David Hales Dr. Liz Gron

Dr. Andres Caro Dr. Courtney Hatch

Dr. Michael Dequeant Mr. Danny Fuller

Mrs. Linda Desrochers Dr. Warfield Teague - Retired

hendrix college undergraduate lab safety

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