Safety FAQ
The dangers of glue guns, drills and more… a science perspective
As the curriculum requires students to have concrete hands-on experience, this often involves building models, platforms, and simple apparatus to demonstrate science principles. As a result teachers frequently supply soldering guns, hot glue guns, hammers, nails,...
Introducing STAO’s new Elementary Safety Guide
Safety in Elementary Science and Technology is written for elementary school teachers and administrators to provide guidance for the safe delivery of hands-on science and technology programs to students. The resource focuses closely on the elementary science and...
Safety – Are Resonance Rods Harmful to Hearing?
Question to the STAO Safety Committee Can resonance rods do damage to a person's hearing, especially if the demonstration is repeated several times during the day? Response Tanya Malusev from Arbour Scientific measured the sound intensity. The maximum value achieved...
Safety Questions – PTC Paper
The STAO Safety Committee frequently responds to questions that Ontario teachers pose regarding safety in their science facilities. Here is a sample: Question Recently, the safety of PTC paper, used widely for demonstrating the ability to taste vs the inability to...
Move Over WHMIS, Here Come’s GHS
What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)? According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. GHS is a system that defines and classifies the hazards of...
STAO Safety Question – Fire Extinguisher Use
Question to STAO Safety Committee: Should teachers be trained on fire extinguisher use? Response STAO does not have a position as regards this training, nor is it required by regulation. There are some organizations (National Research Council in their book, Prudent...
Safety Questions – Ductless Fume Hoods
The STAO Safety Committee frequently responds to questions that Ontario teachers pose regarding safety in their science facilities. Here is a sample: Question Are ductless fume hoods a good alternative to traditional fume hoods? Since the summer, we’ve been taking an...
Learning by Accident – Do I Have to Wear Goggles?
A teacher began a project where students were asked to build a solar car. Students were instructed to take parts from last year’s projects. The teacher supplied students with the necessary tools that included screwdrivers, pliers, and wire snips. They were instructed...
Safety – To Vent or not to Vent Flammables Cabinets
Question to STAO Safety Committee: I was at a school that had an externally vented flammable cabinet. The cabinet at my current school isn't vented and there is always a strong (somewhat overpowering) smell whenever the cabinet is opened. While the MSDS sheet for...
9 Volt Batteries -a Potential Fire Hazard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnVDayI-gwI Improperly stored 9V batteries can cause a fire if they are stored improperly. Watch the video to find out how. For more information on the potential hazards, storage and disposal of 9V batteries, go to this link provided...
“Professionally Speaking” Speaks out on Science Safety
The December 2014 issue of Professional Speaking, the journal of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), features an article entitled, "Safety Rules". This article discusses safety in Ontario schools and highlights the issue of science safety and the prevention...
Guidelines for Safer Demonstrations
Demonstrations are an integral part of any science program. These activities engage students and help bring the "real world" into the classroom. STAO has recently developed a collection of safe demonstrations/activities for grades 9 and 10 that have been designed to...