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

However as stated by Ikeobi (2004), meaningful learning is possible from a given laboratory experiments if the students are given ample opportunities to operate equipment and materials that help them to construct their knowledge of phenomena and related scientific concepts. There are reports that emphasized that teaching of chemistry contents using laboratory experiments is more enjoyable and enhances students’ achievement than teaching the same contents only through lecture (Hofstein 2004 and Teibo, 2001). Similar to other science subjects, teaching chemistry is also supported by laboratory experiments (practical sessions) (Reid and Shah 2007). The original reason for development of chemistry laboratory experiment was the need to produce skilled technicians for industry and highly competent workers for research laboratories (Reid and Shah, 2007). Chemistry practical classes (experiments) help students in understanding difficult andabstract theories and chemical principles.

Moreover, chemistry practical (experiments) offer students several opportunities of handling chemicals safely and with confidence, gaining hands-on experience in using instruments and apparatus, developing scientific thinking and enthusiasm to chemistry, developing basic manipulative and problem solving skills, identifying chemical hazards and learning how to control risks associated with chemical (Lagowski, 2002; Pickering, 2007; Carnduff and Reid, 2003; Ravishankar and Ladage, 2009). This is because chemistry laboratory contains chemicals, which are hazardous.

Chemicals are solid, liquid or gaseous substances that could be acids or alkalis/hydroxides (Reid and Shah, 2007). Most of the chemicals are toxic, carcinogenic, explosive and flammable (or combination of these properties) and could cause human health hazards and environmental pollutions, if they are mishandled or misused (Kan, 2007; Duffus and worth, 2006; Drama et al 2010). Employees (teachers, and laboratory technicians) working in chemical laboratories and students are highly vulnerable to chemical risks (Anuar et al 2009). Therefore, by carrying out practical in the laboratory, students will learn laboratory safety rules, which will enable them to carry out laboratory activities safely. It is important  to  assess  how  much  students  are  aware  of  these  risks  in  order  to  make precautionary measures to avoid possible chemical related accidents that can be prevented.

Accidents sometimes occur in the process of teaching and learning in schools chemistry laboratories. The accidents associated with chemistry laboratory result from different properties possessed by the chemicals. Some of these chemicals are corrosive, poisonous or inflammable. Some can seriously affect the skin, the nerve cells or cause serious cancer. Apart from chemicals, physical accidents can also occur in a chemistry laboratory. According to Abdullahi (2005), most of the accidents that are physical in the chemistry laboratories are because of ignorance and carelessness. The researcher went further to report the cases of broken glassware, hot apparatus, burning gas, electric shock etc. as types of physical accidents frequently found in chemistry laboratories. Glassware are produced and used in vast quantities in most laboratories so while some are more durable, some easily break. Glass tubing has remained the cause of many unnecessary accidents in the school chemistry laboratory (IGNOU 2001). With the number and frequent usage and breakages of glassware in the laboratories, it is important to guard against the risks from it. Also the damages caused by fire in Nigeria run into billions of naira not to talk of deaths, injuries and sufferings which the fire might cause. In fact fire was once described as “a thief that leaves nothing behind for the owner” (IGNOU 2001). The potential risk for fire arises from the presence of combustible with ignition sources. 

Hence, in order to effectively prevent these accidents, many precautionary measures have to be adopted by the various teachers of chemistry in schools. In order words in view of liability in cases of accident teachers, students, laboratory technicians and all laboratory users should get involved in safety practices.

Safety practice can be explained to mean the process of averting danger. Safety is freedom from danger or risk (Archohold and Robinson, 2007). The importance of safety measure in every activity of individual cannot be over emphasized. It forms an integral part of individual understanding. Laboratory activities demand adequate safety measures in order to overcome danger. This can be achieved either by the teachers or students. Aminu (2002) maintain that most laboratory hazards can be reduced by good value judgment, careful manipulation, adequate supervision, and most of all the knowledge of how to use the safety material or device present in the laboratories. It is obvious that anyone who is not alert and safety conscious stand the greater risk of turning a minor hazard into an accident which might be fatal. To ensure safety in science laboratories, students and teachers should be well- informed of the safety practice and how to operate simple safety gadgets during emergency.

Also there is the need that the safety gadgets be constantly checked to ensure proper functioning during emergency. Since safety is the state of being safe, it is a top priority in school chemistry laboratory. Laboratory safety is the control of recognized hazards in the laboratory to achieve an acceptable level of risk (IGNOU, 2001). This can take the form of being protected from the event or from exposure to chemicals that causes health or economical losses to individuals using the laboratory. Chemistry laboratory safety is the condition of being protected against physical, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accident, harm or any other event, which could be considered non-desirable during laboratory activities (Baruwa, 2006). Individuals working in the laboratory are exposed to many kinds of hazards and they should be aware of the safety precautions associated with chemical laboratory.

Teachers should not only be knowledgeable in the subject content, but also make students know the hazards of working in the school laboratory and preventive measures to ensure safety. The chemistry teacher like any other professional need appropriate tools to carry out his job effectively. The current school curricula as well as other science subjects emphasize the use of laboratory teaching method as a means of developing and inculcating science process skills in the learners. Laboratory safety is not simply a matter of materials and equipment but also of processes and behaviours (safety practices), learning to participate in this culture of habitual risk assessment, experiment planning, and consideration of worst case possibilities for oneself and one’s fellow workers is much part of scientific education as learning the theoretical background of experiments or the step by step protocols for doing them in a professional manner (Baruwa, 2006).. According to Baurerle (2008), proper enlightenment on the nature of dangers associated with laboratory materials and strict adherence to the rules and regulations governing the use of laboratories will help in minimizing accident if not total eradication of the accidents associated with the use of chemical laboratory. Some of the ways safety could be practiced are by the use of fume cupboards according to Chlad and Hardy (2006), chemical reactions or processes, which produce harmful gases or vapour, are best carried out in fume cupboards. All explosive reactions are better carried out in fume cupboards.

Proper and careful adherence to laboratory rules and regulations is another effective way of safety practice. According to Bremmer (2001) students and teachers should avoid touching or stopping the centrifuge machine while in motion, cracked and damaged test- tubes should not be used for experiments. Safety goggles or screens should be worn in case of explosions. When using strong acids, alkalis and other dangerous substances, hand gloves should be worn. Proper storage of poisonous and dangerous chemicals is also another important way of practicing safety. Experiment involving the use of poisonous and dangerous chemicals and substances should not be carried out in an open bench. Dangerous substances for laboratory experiments such as cyanides must be kept under control in a locked cupboard. Another aspect of safety practice is labeling of chemical containers and containers containing explosives, poisons and other dangerous chemicals. Labeling of containers helps the users of chemical laboratories to know how dangerous the content of container is. If the bottles and other containers are not properly labeled, accidents may likely occur (Ottander and Grelson, 2006). The issue of safety should be a continuous and rigorous process and should not be forgotten or left until any accident or incident occurs.

Laboratory safety is of paramount importance to teaching and learning of chemistry, this is because of the number of hazardous chemicals and equipments found in chemistry laboratory. Safety therefore manages and responds to all issues and concerns surrounding chemical, biological, radiation, laser, chemical fume hood, and centrifuge safety as well as biological safety cabinets, compressed gas cylinders, nanotechnology, emergency spill response, hazardous waste management and other standard operating procedures. Ottander and Grelson (2006), stated that to ensure adequate safety in the laboratory schools administrators and teachers should conducts semi-annual inspections of all laboratories and research areas and develops written reports of any safety violations. When periodic check of labs is carried out, it will provide guidance and advice on safety issues.

Based on the importance of safety in chemistry laboratory, Ezeriola (2010) outlined some of the safety precautions that should be adhered to in chemistry laboratory as follows; learners should not touch anything that they are not authorized to touch especially if it is a chemical or an acid that could cause harm. Do not eat or drink anything in a laboratory, this is because if one is not careful he/she could end up in severe trouble. Laboratory areas should be tidy and free of obstruction and mess. Do not perform unauthorized experiments. Always obtain your teacher’s permission before doing any experiments. Use the safety equipment provided for you, now their location and proper use. Safety glasses must be worn whenever any substance is being heated or when mixing or pouring chemicals. In addition to these safety rules, Nwachukwu (2012) stated that student’s should also adhere to the following safety rule; students should report all accidents, injuries or incorrect procedures to the teacher at once. If clothing should catch fire, smother it with a blanket or coat. NEVER RUN!!  If you spill acid or other chemical, wash with water or ask your teacher for help. Never taste any chemical or transfer chemicals by mouth pipette. Never eat or drink in the lab. Never inhale chemicals. Keep combustible materials away from open flames. Do not throw paper or other solid material into the sink. If glass is broken, call your teacher for help. When all these safety rules are complied to, the laboratory will be a safe place to  chemistry practical activities, which enhance students understanding of chemistry concept.