Student handling of bones: I’m looking for information, regulations, requirements etc, about the handling of completely cleaned and treated bones by high school students to rebuild the skeleton of a dead animal which was found. Thank you
Electrical equipment testing and tagging: How often should we be testing and tagging electrical equipment in NSW schools according to WHS legislation? My school says that it should be every 6 months.
Science laboratories in schools have electrical portable equipment such as digital balances, microscopes, power supply, hot plates, etc
Science offices have equipment such as printers and/or photocopiers, computers and other electrical equipment, which is generally not moved.
Storage of starter caps: Where should I store my starter caps?
Hand sanitisers have been more heavily used during and after the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some hand sanitisers state ‘Keep out of reach of children’. Does this mean that if these hand sanitisers are used in junior schools, they can only be used under adult supervision?
Purchasing and maintaining microscopes: Can you recommend school microscope suppliers, repairers and servicers in Australia? What are some strategies to maintain school microscopes in good working order? Such as, protocols for cleaning microscopes, disinfecting microscopes and microscope lens-care techniques?
Use of human body tissue and fluids: Is it ok to use human body tissue or fluids such as cheek cells or tears in science experiments in schools?
Transportation of school chemicals: What are the rules for transporting school chemicals in private vehicles?
Recently a University approached me with some surplus chemicals they were going to dispose of via manifesto (which, after treatment, go to landfill). Most of these chemicals were in good condition, but some were listed as hazardous. Although only small quantities, I was hesitant to take any, as I was unsure of the consequences of carrying small amounts of both non hazardous and hazardous chemicals in my car, even over small distances.
Health monitoring requirements: Is health monitoring for exposure to hazardous chemicals required for chemicals in the List of Recommended Chemicals/ Chemical Management Handbook? Do you have any advice?
Disposal of potassium permanganate and glycerol reaction: How do I safely dispose of the products of the exothermic reaction between potassium permanganate and glycerol conducted in a mortar and pestle? I am not sure of the quantities used, so how do I know if there are any unreacted chemicals present that may still self-ignite?
Acetone and polystyrene foam: Is it suitable and safe in a primary school to conduct the activity in which a foam cup is “dissolved” in acetone? Is this a demonstration of a physical change where the foam is just disintegrated and the gas is released?
