Towards the safe disposal of chemicals

THE TUI AND the ASTI have welcomed the publication by the Department of Education of two useful books, Safety in School Science: A Code of Practice and Safety in the School Laboratory: Disposal of Chemicals. The union's main quibble, however, is the length of time it has taken the Department to respond to lobbying from the unions to provide for the safe disposal of harmful chemicals. Rose Malone, education officer with the TUI, says that the publications must be followed by action.

The Department proposes to quantify the amount of unwanted, unidentified and unlabelled chemicals which cannot be disposed of locally. Arrangements will be made "as soon as possible".

Most science teachers carry out yearly audits, so they already know what chemicals require disposal, Malone says. She adds that teachers need in-service training, particularly on safe alternatives to procedures which may now be considered dangerous.

Safety in School Science, which was sponsored by the Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturer's Federation, addresses laboratory design, laboratory organisation and management, as well as hazards and safety precautions, emergency procedures and useful practical techniques. It deals with all the legislative changes and regulations introduced since the Health and Safety Authority was established.

Appendices include a safety checklist and advice on storage of chemicals, preparation of a school or college science safety statement and the code of practice for the safe use of ionizing radiation in secondary education.

The second publication contains an A-to-Z of chemicals likely to be used in school laboratories. Each chemical is dealt with under the headings of harmful effects, dangerous reactions, first aid and disposal. This should prove a useful reference for school science teachers.