Induction Course for New Laboratory Technicians

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Induction Course for New Laboratory Technicians

• 4 October 2008
• Sophia CHENG
• Science Education Section, EDB

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Job Description for Lab Tech II/III

• To prepare, construct, operate and maintain
  laboratory apparatus and equipment.
• To assist in class demonstration in a laboratory
  or in a demonstration room.
• To assist teachers to supervise the pupils in
  performing experiments.
• To assist teachers in planning and trying out
  experiments.

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• To keep stores and inventory in laboratories.
• To carry out annual stocktaking of all stores and
  equipment in laboratories.
• To purchase laboratory apparatus, equipment and
  other items necessary for laboratories.
• To prepare annual estimates of consumables,
  stores and additional items for laboratories.

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• To conduct routine laboratory tests.
• To be responsible for all the normal safeguards
  in a laboratory.
• To instruct and supervise laboratory attendants
  in the maintenance of the laboratories and
  preparation of rooms.

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Science Safety Resource Manual (2003), British
Columbia
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What is your role as a LT?

• Manage for good laboratory service
• Manage for safety
• Manage for smooth operation

Support learning and teaching of Science
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Procurement and Management of Laboratory
Equipment/Chemicals
Acquisition
Record Keeping
Write-off / Disposal
Storing / Organising
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Composite Furniture Equipment Grant (CFEG)

• Cover the costs and maintenance/repair fees for
  F/E items, insurance premium for non-standard FE
  items
• 14,714 per class for 2008/09
• For Incorporated Management Committee (IMC)
  schools, CFEG has been included in Expanded
  Operating Expenses Block Grant (EOEBG).
• EDBCM119/2008
• http//www.edb.gov.hk/oebg-e

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Science Subject Grants

• For purchase of consumables
• S1-3 Science, AL Biology and ASL/AL Chemistry
• Aided Schools
• Expanded / Operating Expenses Block
  Grant(E/OEBG) (??/????????)
• Govt. Schools
• Subject Curriculum Block Grant(?????????)

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Reference Lists of F/E

• Consider safety and need before purchase
• Specifications of the EDB Reference List of FE
• www.edb.gov.hk

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Microscale Chemistry Equipment
Pipette????
Well-plate????
Microspatular
Glass Combustion tube
Universal Indicator Chart
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Electrolysis of dilute sodium hydroxide
Pins
Shampoo Solution
0.4 M NaOH
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Reduction of CuO
Microburner
5M HCl
Galvanizediron coil
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Reactions of Chlorine
NaCl
Bleach HCl
KBr
KI
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Microscale Organic Reactions
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Microscale Organic Reactions
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Laboratory Equipment
Bunsen Burner Screen
Spectacle Cabinet
Flexicam
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Laboratory Equipment

• Hand Protector ?????

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Laboratory Equipment

• Protecting students from chemical spillage

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How to reduce glass breakage and cut accidents?
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Laboratory Equipment

• Reduce breakage of glassware
• Plasticware (e.g. dropper, beaker, funnel)
• polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP, TPX))

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Laboratory Equipment

• Thermometers
• Non-mercury filled
• Short vs long (150mm / 300mm)
• Plastic coated / Reinforced bulb
• Digital (-50 - 150oC)

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Asbestos

• Asbestos-containing products should not be used
  in schools
• Beware of equipment with heat insulating
  materials e.g. wire gauzes, bench mats, ovens
• Bench mats should be made of glass reinforced
  cement. Wire gauzes should be with ceramic
  centres.
• Add Asbestos free requirement when purchasing
• Do not dispose of asbestos-containing products as
  common garbage

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Procurement of Chemicals

• Before purchase, assess the hazardous nature of
  chemicals, check your inventory, whether it will
  be used in experiments in the near future
• Acquire safer alternatives e.g. Volasil 244
  instead of CCl4
• Avoid over-stocking of chemicals
• Keep quantities to a minimum especially for
  water-reactive chemicals e.g. Na, K, CaC2, SiCl4,
  hazardous chemicals e.g. Br2 (ampoule package),
  conc. acids and alkalis and flammable chemicals
  e.g. P, ether, ethanol, etc
• Clearly labelled and date-stamped the date of
  arrival
• Keep a clear and updated record of chemical
  stocks (locations)

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Safety Information of Chemicals

• International Chemical Safety Cards
• http//www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safew
  ork/cis/products/icsc/
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• Developed by the Faculty Laboratory Centre of
  CityU
• http//cd1.edb.hkedcity.net/cd/science/laboratory/
  content_safety.html

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Labeling of Chemical
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Printing labels for chemicals
???????
http//www.oshc.org.hk/download/download/4/chemica
l2005.zip
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Printing labels for chemicals
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Controlled Chemicals

• Prevent diversion of chemicals to illicit (??)
  manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic
  substances e.g. heroin (???)
• Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Cap. 145)
• List of Controlled Chemicals
• http//www.customs.gov.hk/chi/major_licence_chemic
  als_c.html
• Acetylating Substances (????)
• Ethanoyl chloride (???), ethanoic anhydride (???)
• Potassium Permanganate (????)
• Storage approval (Form CED 360)

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Chemical Weapon Precursors

• List of chemical weapon precursors controlled
  under the Import and Export Ordinance (Annex A of
  STCC No.16/04)
• http//www.stc.tid.gov.hk/english/circular_pub/stc
  16_04.html
• Schools wishing to purchase chemicals e.g. NaF,
  KF, PCl3 or PCl5 for experiments should first
  sign the chemical end-user undertaking.
• Strategic Trade Controls Brance, Trade and
  Industry Department (? ? ? ? ? )
• Enquiry 2398 5587 (Tel), stc_at_tid.gov.hk (email)

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Do you think school laboratories are safe?
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Survey on laboratory accidents in secondary
schools (05/06)

• 464 schools responded (response rate 93.4 )
• Statistics
• 296 schools without accident (64)
• 554 cases in 168 schools (36)
• 500 students and 8 staffs injured most injuries
  were minor cuts or scalds
• Cause of accidents Carelessness
• (students 91.7 teachers 0.5 LTs 1.8)

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Subjects involved (05/06)
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Accident Records

• Keep record of all accidents (including minor
  accidents) in each lab
• Send detailed accident report for serious
  laboratory accident to REO

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Science Education Laboratory Safety and
Management(http//www.edb.gov.hk/cd/sc gt
References Resources)
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Resources on laboratory safety and management

• Information about approved gas tubing for Bunsen
  Burners
• Handbook on Safety in Science Laboratories (2002)
• Posters on laboratory safety
• Laboratory safety inspection checklist
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Use of Sealed Radioactive Sources for Teaching
  Purposes in Schools
• Risk assessment form
• List of university centres and facilities
  supplying rats for school use

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Handbook on Safety in Science Laboratories
(http//cd1.emb.hkedcity.net/cd/science/laboratory
/safety/SHB_2002e.pdf)

• Safety management
• Hazardous chemicals and their storage
• Disposal of chemical wastes
• Handling of glassware, plants, microorganisms,
  animals, radioactive substances, etc.
• First aid in the laboratory
• Laboratory accidents and insurance

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Handbook on Safety in Science Laboratories

• Additional resources or information in
  appendices
• Risk assessment form
• Some plants known to contain irritants
• Report form on laboratory accident
• Chemistry experiments requiring particular care

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Curriculum reform in science education
Year Curriculum revised
1998 S1-3 Science
2002 S4-5 Bio, Chem, Phy AL Bio
2005 AL Chem, AL Phy
2009 NSS Bio, Chem, Phy NSS Integrated Science NSS Combined Science
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Emphasis on Scientific Investigation

• Inquiry-based experiments and simple
  investigation
• Encourage students to design their own
  experiments
• Develop skills of problem solving, collaboration,
  critical thinking, creativity
• Scientific investigation as part of curriculum in
  NSS science subjects

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Risk Assessment

• An analysis of a practical activity to identify
  hazards and to take precautions to minimise the
  risk
• Procedures
• Identifying hazards (Materials / Procedures /
  Equipment)
• Deciding what control measures to reduce risk to
  acceptable level
• Finding how to dispose of hazardous residues

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More roles and duties

• contribute in departmental meetings
• display signs alerting students to take proper
  safety precautions
• familiarise with the curriculum content to
  facilitate the preparation of materials for
  practical lessons
• familiarise with new trends of curriculum
  development purchase necessary equipment
• maximise the use of resources and minimise
  wastage of materials by recycling and reuse
• label drawers and cabinets to facilitate easy
  access
• update professional knowledge

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Manage a Safe Environment forLearning and Working