Science Safety Position Statement
ASTA offers the following background information:
Comprehensive Safety Plans
High-quality K-12 science instruction includes opportunities for students to build their knowledge and skills in science and address the nation’s critical need for a high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The National Research Council’s A Framework for K–12 Science Education recognizes the importance of teaching science and engineering practices that integrate core ideas and show the interdependence of those ideas. Effective teaching and learning of science can only be successfully done through investigations, modeling, and the application of engineering practices that provide students opportunities to observe and explain phenomena and apply critical thinking to solve problems found throughout the natural world. Because the potential for injury is inherent in conducting science activities, safety education and protocols are a necessary component of a strong science education.
The Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) acknowledges that school districts, administrators, and science teachers have a legal responsibility to provide safe science activities and a safe instructional space for all K-12 students. ASTA encourages school districts to create a comprehensive plan and adopt protocols aligned to national, state, local, and professional safety standards to guide educators and minimize risks within K-12 science classrooms. District and school plans should be designed to create a science classroom environment conducive for all students to carry out of meaningful investigations, while mitigating injury and promoting safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible practices.
Declarations
ASTA strongly recommends that districts proactively develop and implement a comprehensive safety program designed to reduce injury during science activities. Administrators and science educators must receive appropriate training and support to understand and adhere to safety policies and practices. ASTA recommends that schools and districts develop clear and comprehensive science safety programs based on the following guidelines:
● Develop comprehensive safety programs that are consistent with professional practices and legal safety standards that clearly define safety expectations:
● Provide safety training the ensure that science activities are conducted in safe, ethical and environmentally responsible ways
● Maintain safe environments for science activities and all students
Develop comprehensive safety programs
ASTA recommends comprehensive safety programs consistent with professional practices and legal safety standards:
● Comprehensive safety plans must meet all local, state, and federal requirements, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for safe handling and disposal of laboratory materials and follow guidelines for appropriate and ethical use of animals in science education.
● Safety programs should include a chemical hygiene plan to allow for proper storage, use, and disposal of chemical and biological materials that follow local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines.
● School personnel should have direct access to Safety Data Sheets and other safety information and resources (e.g., chemical management policies and emergency procedures); safety equipment that are appropriate for the grade level and type of activity (e.g., eyewash stations, ventilation, fume hoods, extinguishers, etc.); and personal protective equipment (e.g., goggles, gloves, and aprons).
● School and district administrators should inform teachers of the nature and limits of applicable professional liability and/or insurance held by the school district.
● School administrators should routinely check and observe science classrooms to ensure adherence to adopted classroom laboratory protocols for student safety.
ASTA Science Safety Position Statement
Provide safety training
ASTA recommends that districts and schools provide safety training to ensure that science activities are conducted in safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible ways:
● Provide school personnel with necessary, appropriate, and ongoing training related to personal protective equipment, safety procedures, and all components of the safety plan.
● Provide K-12 science teachers with classroom safety training on an annual basis to receive legal updates and other information related to science instruction and safety and prior to assignments involving new exposure situations in classrooms, labs, or storerooms where hazardous chemicals or biological materials are present.
● Hire and retain qualified science educators and support staff to ensure teachers within science classrooms have proper training in teaching safe and ethical laboratory and engineering practices within the classroom.
● Comprehensive training program should be required for all science practitioners
● Provide safety training that includes strategies for accommodating students with academic, remedial, or physical needs as well as those who are English Language Learners.
Maintain safe environments
ASTA recommends strategies for maintaining science learning environments that are safe and accessible for all students:
● All K-12 science educators conducting investigations within the classroom (indoor or outdoor) must ensure that science equipment and materials are in optimum working condition, must routinely check the equipment and materials, and document and report any hazard immediately to school administration.
● Maintain optimal occupancy loads and sufficient laboratory space and workspaces to minimize risk due to overcrowding. Classes containing more than 24 students engaged in science activities cannot safely be supervised by one teacher. Additionally, research data show that accidents rise dramatically as class enrollments exceed 24 students or when inadequate individual workspace is provided (See NSELA, 2016).
● Laboratory and hands-on classroom activities are critical for students to learn science, but have an inherent safety risk. K-12 science teachers and students must have access to appropriate personal protection equipment (e.g., safety glasses or goggles, gloves, aprons, etc.). when exposed to biological, chemical, and physical hazards.
● Laboratory and field safety is a required part of science education. Science educators must have the training, tools, and resources to instruct and guide students in using appropriate safety precautions for all investigations. Safety instructions must accessible to students with academic, remedial, or physical needs as well as those who are English Language Learners.
● Food or drink intended for human consumption should not be permitted in any classroom space where laboratory activities will be conducted, or where hazardous chemicals or physical/biological hazards have been used. Science activities involving chemical or bacterial hazards should not take place in cafeterias or other areas specifically designed for food consumption.
● All K-12 science teachers should ensure that substances used for any activity are appropriate for use in the available school science facilities, are appropriate for the developmental age of students, and are safe and accessible to students with academic, remedial, or physical needs and English Language Learners.
Resources:
NSELA website (2016) National Science Education Leadership Association-Safety Position Statement. Retrieved from http://static.nsta.org/pdfs/PositionStatement_Safety.pdf
NSTA website (2018) NSTA Position Statement: Liability of Science Educators for Laboratory Safety. Retrieved from http://static.nsta.org/pdfs/PositionStatement_Liability.pdf
NSTA website (2018) NSTA minimum safety practices and regulations for demonstrations, experiments, and workshops. Retrieved from http://static.nsta.org/pdfs/MinimumSafetyPracticesAndRegulations.pdf
NSTA website (2018) NSTA Position Statement: Safety and School Science Instruction. Retrieved from https://www.nsta.org/about/positions/safety.aspx
Whitehouse website. (2018) Charting a course for success: America’s strategy for STEM education. Retrieved https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf
