An Investigation into safety procedures in science laboratory (specially, Biology and Chemistry laboratories) in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt local government areas, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the multiple of benefits accrued to science learning, sometimes the teaching and learning of science is associated with hazards due to the nature and conditions of some of the equipment and chemical/specimen that are handled and some of these to which learner in particular comes in contact with by handling during science learning and research. To this end, teachers and learners of science subjects are on a clarion expectant to take into cognizance accidence and risk factors likely to occur in the science laboratories where experimental learning is usually conducted. To avoid laboratory hazards, it is apprised that certain safety measures must be put in place when setting-up laboratory as well as during teaching and learning of science. Hence, this study investigated safety procedures in science laboratory. The design of the study is an opinion survey. The population of the study comprised of 1457 Senior Secondary School Biology and Chemistry students drawn from Public Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt local government areas. Random sampling technique was used to select 150 students used for the study. Four research questions guided the study, and four-Likert scale questionnaire – questionnaire on safety measures in science laboratory (QSMSL) consisting of 16 safety measure related items of whose reliability was established as 0.82 using Cronbach alpha statistics were employed. The research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The results revealed among others that the extent of provision and adherence to safety measures in the science laboratories within the scope of this study is acceptable. It is therefore recommended that the authorities concern should enforce and implement regular safety practices by all who come into the science laboratory under all conditions.