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SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR EXPERIMENTATION

The student and the sponsor have ultimate responsibility for the safety of the student while doing experiments or otherwise developing a project for a Science Exhibition. Because many dangers may not be readily apparent, some guidelines are presented here to aid in making the development of a project more safe.

All project development and experimentation should be conducted only with proper supervision. This is particularly true for chemicals, radiation sources, and biological cultures many of which are governed by many rules and regulations, both State and Federal, that affect both handling and disposal.

Biological Cultures

Chemical

Electrical and Mechanical

Fire and Radiation

State Safety Sheet

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Biological Cultures

a. This area of science, as many areas of science, may involve many dangers and hazards while experimenting. It is the sole responsibility of all teacher(s)/sponsor(s) to teach students proper safety methods and sterile techniques.

b. The Illinois Junior Academy of Science prohibits the use of cultures taken directly or indirectly from humans or other warm blooded animals in any project because of the danger from unknown viruses or other disease causing agents that may be present. Pure cultures of microorganisms known to inhabit warm-blooded animals may be purchased from reputable supply houses and used.

c. Projects involving viruses should be done in a professional research facility under the direct supervision of a professional researcher.

d. Recombinant DNA projects should be done with the help of a research professional trained in recombinant DNA methodology and should comply with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines unless the project is limited to a kit obtained from a legitimate supply house.

e. All cultures should be destroyed by methods such as, autoclaving or with a suitable NaOCl (bleach) solution before disposal.

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Chemical

a. Students should always wear eye protection when working with any chemical.

b. The student and the sponsor should seek data from a textbook, Merck Index, or other responsible source regarding the health hazards, combustibility, and compatibility of the chemical with other chemicals before beginning a project.

c. All chemicals must be disposed of in accordance with State and Federal Environmental Rules and Regulations.

d. If possible, the student should work under the supervision of a responsible chemist.

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Electrical and Mechanical

a. All electrical apparatus that operates with 115 volt current should be constructed in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). If in doubt, contact a competent electrician.

b. Many experiments can be done using 6 or 12 volt electrical sources. As these are much safer electrical sources, their use should be considered when doing a project.

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Fire and Radiation

a. Students should always wear eye protection when working with any open flame.

b. Students using radiation sources (laser, U-V light, X-ray, microwaves, or high intensity radio waves [RF]) must be adequately shielded from such sources. Many experiments using these sources should not be undertaken unless under the direct supervision of an adult familiar with the equipment and hazards involved.

c. No student may work with any radioactive materials unless the work is conducted in a licensed laboratory under the direct supervision of a licensed individual.

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