STATUS OF SAFETY STANDARDS IN CHEMISTRY LABORATORY IN SECONDARY SCHOLS IN ENUGU SOUTH

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STATUS OF SAFETY STANDARDS IN CHEMISTRY LABORATORY IN SECONDARY SCHOLS IN ENUGU SOUTH

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The status of safety standards in chemistry laboratory is of great concern to chemists in particular and to the science educators in the nation as a whole. Chemistry being one of the components of science cannot be overlooked in secondary schools curriculum because the experiences gained from chemistry study do aid in national development. Indeed, chemistry influences the level of human and material development of any country of the world positively and significantly [1]. According to [2], chemistry as a course is intended to train students in chemistry education which would enhance their capacity building in science and technology and provide them with employable skills and opportunities for self reliance. This is a lofty philosophy. Therefore, chemistry plays important roles in national development through the impact of science and technology on man’s basic resources: land and water from which life is nourished, the advancement of medical research for stunted and diseased lives (especially in the developing countries), usefulness of power including nuclear and solar energy and new technologies in agriculture, communication, engineering, production processes [3]. [4] summarized the role of chemistry thus “chemistry is concerned at the atomic and molecular level with the structure and reactivity of the material fabric of the earth and indeed of the rest of the universe in so far as the instrument permits its examination”. According to him, chemistry is not advanced by people regurgitating information at desks but by people working long hours at laboratory benches. [5] emphasized that chemistry is an experimental as well as a creative science and therefore requires practical approach to teaching. Hence, there is the need for adequately safe chemistry laboratories in secondary schools for students to use.

The effective acquisition and application of knowledge should be through the use of science laboratories and therefore, subsequent desire for safety is imperative. For any nation to make gains and progress in its growth and national development, it must have in place a sound science and technology education which emphasize practical work [6]. Almost all teaching and learning involving practical work in science occur in the laboratory. The science laboratory is therefore a veritable and indispensable means of teaching chemistry as a science subject in secondary schools in Nigeria. Hence, the effective application of safety standards to the utilization of the laboratory in order to sustain the fun derivable there-from.

According to [1], science laboratory is a facility for learning what science is and how scientists work. It can be in-door such as the sufficiently designed and equipped rooms found in most secondary schools and tertiary institutions or out-door involving such places as riverside, work shop, field and even market. This means that laboratory experience could be attained whether in-door or out-door, which implies a participation in the series of experimental, observational and demonstrating activities that provide opportunity for students to develop the understanding of practical and theoretical concepts through solving problems. One can see that the use of science laboratory is a special method of teaching science through research evidence in secondary school’s chemistry in particular and science in general, as stated by [1]

The laboratory serves as the basic practical framework for study of science concepts, using the scientific method of problem definition, theorizing, testing data and so on. Laboratory activities are expected to enable students obtain the scientific methods of doing science as well as to help them develop more favourable attitudes.

It is for this reason that [7] stated that for effective teaching and learning of science and technology at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of educational system, it is essential to have well planned, properly designed and adequately equipped science laboratories to achieve expected aims and objectives. This author adds that such science laboratories should be relatively safe for those using it as well as the materials, chemical and tools which are stored and used in the science laboratories. Thus, a laboratory is safe if it does not in any way constitute great hazard to health, life and property while being used for teaching and learning. But the status of safety in the chemistry laboratories across the country empirically is what this study is out to ascertain.

The history of science is replete with examples of scientists who were harmed or killed or examples of science laboratories completely destroyed by one laboratory hazard or another For instance, Ghalen died from inhaling the vapour of Arsenic which he did not know at the time was dangerous. Myles laboratory was burnt down by fire in 1981 and the total loss of this facility was put at two hundred million dollars [8]. Hence, the safety issue in using science laboratories concerns safety of life and property.

It is possible that many secondary school science laboratories may have been constructed without safety considerations as an overriding factor in the design (layout). It could be that in some secondary school chemistry laboratories, corrosive substances are carried by hands. It is possible that there are no provisions for ancillary rooms such as preparation room, store room so that bottles of acids, bases and salts could be properly used or stored. Sometimes, chemicals that react with each other could be stored closely and glassware could be set together in the store [9]. The use of gas is most hazardous as gas outlets could be located below combustible materials and outside the laboratory. This is not safe. It could also be common to find volatile liquids like either, alcohol, gasoline, benzene, carbon disulphide being kept on the floor or shelves that are close to source of fire. Safety facilities such as sinks and waste containers may not be readily found in some school laboratories. Also, the absence of such safety devices as fume chambers, eye goggles, and laboratory coats could create health hazard for anybody working in the chemistry laboratories beyond imagination [10]. All these are potential sources of harm to chemistry laboratory users that calls for provision of adequate safety.

When laboratories are not safe, they pose danger to chemistry teachers and students who use them. Surely, not much will be achieved if our present and future scientists are expected to work in laboratories that are not adequately planned, equipped

and properly organized. Hence, the need to investigate into the extent of safety standards in chemistry laboratories in secondary schools in Nigeria, especially at this time of scientific and technological age.

1.2  Statement of the Problem

There is no discipline that is in greater need of a constant re-evaluation of what is taught and how it is taught than science of which chemistry is a branch. Chemistry is an experimental as well as a creative science. Therefore, for chemistry laboratories to achieve their aims and objectives it must be safe for those using them. It is common knowledge that often chemistry laboratories have been sited without due consideration to safety as an over-riding factor in their design and construction. In view of the above, it becomes necessary to ask: what is the extent of safety standards in chemistry laboratories in secondary schools in Nigeria?

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.    To ensure that the appropriate designing of the chemistry laboratory ensure safety in the laboratory?

2.    To understand the extent of arrangement of materials/equipment ensure safety in the chemistry laboratory?

3.    To understand the extent of safety devices provided in the chemistry laboratory?

4.    To understand the extent of safety rules/regulations displayed in chemistry laboratory?

1.4  Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study:

1.    To what extent does the appropriate designing of the chemistry laboratory ensure safety in the laboratory?

2.    To what extent does arrangement of materials/equipment ensure safety in the chemistry laboratory?

3.    To what extent are safety devices provided in the chemistry laboratory?

4.    To what extent are safety rules/regulations displayed in chemistry laboratory?

1.5 Research hypothesis

H0: Safety standards observation do not have a significant impact on productivity and efficiency in chemistry laboratories

H1:  Safety standards observation have a significant impact on productivity and efficiency in chemistry laboratories

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