Occupational health and safety

Phenylthiocarbamide paper: Hi, Are you still allowed to use phenylthiocarbamide paper?

Use of a spirometer: One of our teachers would like to use a spirometer in class. The spirometer requires the user to breath in rather than blow air out. Are we allowed to do this, if we have disposable mouthpieces?

Chemical disposal (chromium): I have a small amount of potassium dichromate and potassium chromate to be disposed. What is the best way to do this?

Spill Kit: Hi, My school is for Years 7–12. I have a Spill Kit in place at work (stored in the prep room) which is kept in a smaller (i.e., 1/2 size) than standard-size wheelie bin. What would Assist suggest the contents/quantities of a Spill Kit be? I have 5 labs and a prep room all under the same roof (no steps). Should I have more than one? Note: each lab has a bucket of sand.

Laboratory doors: I was wondering if it is a requirement that science room doors be locked when not attended by staff? If so, is this written down anywhere?

Bunsen Tubing: Could somebody please tell me what the required length for Bunsen tubing is at present and where this is written?

Thanks:)

LAB SAFETY: if you have 4 laboratories upstairs and 4 downstairs, how many emergency showers are you required to install?

Mould investigations extra questions: I have some further questions regarding the mould investigations:

1. I prefer to double bag because we have had leaking bags in the past.

2. I find that 1–2 weeks is a bit too long. We are in Cairns, where it is mostly hot and humid, and I have found that even 1 week can be too long, the mould totally takes over. I usually put bags in the fridge once mould growth starts to get out of hand.

potassium bromate: I am wondering if it is safe/acceptable to order potassium bromate in solid form for a visually impressive science reaction for open day purposes. Are there any special considerations associated with this chemical, as I believe it can be quite hazardous? The teacher hopes to use the whole amount of potassium bromate ordered within a few days of ordering, so it would not be stored indefinitely in our chem room.

Chemical Waste from Ester Prac: I have previously been asked to dispose of the chemical waste from the ester prac by evaporating it on an absorbent material and disposing of this to landfill. I have now been asked to store the waste in an organic waste bottle for collection at a later date. CSIS talks about disposal of esters in the case of a spill, but is not specific about waste disposal.