Status Of Safety Practices In Senior Secondary School Chemistry Laboratories In Abia State

This study investigated the status of safety practices in senior secondary school chemistry laboratories in Abia state. To guide the study, five research question were posed. The literature review in this study was organized under conceptual framework, theoretical framework, review of related empirical studies and summary of literature review. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in Aba education zone of Abia State. The sample size of the study comprised 450 subjects (432 students and 18 chemistry teachers) in Aba education zone of Abia State. The sample was drawn from the population of the study using simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Two instruments were used for data collection in this research. 

They are Questionnaires on Safety Practices in Secondary School Chemistry Laboratory (QSPSSCL) and Checklist on Available Safety Materials and Equipment in Secondary School Chemistry Laboratory (CASMESSCL). Research question one was answered using frequency and percentage, while research question 2-5 were answered using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that; the required and approved safety equipment and materials for chemistry laboratories are available in secondary schools in Abia State. The safety procedures for storage and labeling are not been adopted by the teachers in the secondary school chemistry laboratories. The general design and fittings of secondary school chemistry laboratories with regard to safety are not adhered to. Secondary school chemistry teachers do not adopt appropriate procedures for treatment of accidents in the laboratory and lastly chemistry teachers do not ensure safety practices in chemistry laboratories.

There was no significant different in the mean rating of students and teachers on safety procedures adopted in the secondary school chemistry laboratories with reference to storage and labeling. There was no significant different in the mean rating of students and teachers on general design and fittings of chemistry laboratory in secondary schools with regards to laboratories safety. There was no significant different in the mean rating of students and teachers on procedures adopted for treatment of accidents in the laboratory. There was no significant different in the mean rating of students and teachers on laboratory strategies put in place to ensure safety practices among the secondary school chemistry laboratory users. In line with the findings of the study, the educational implications  of the findings were highlighted and the recommendations were proffered among others that government, stake holders of education, and institutions should provide funds for buying equipment and also organize in-service training for effective teaching of English language. The limitations of the study were highlighted and suggestions for further studies were equally made.