ACS Guidelines for Chemical Safety Education in

Undergraduate Chemistry Programs

William F. Polik

Hope College, Holland MI, USA

ACS Committee on Professional Training

Member 2000-05, Chair 2006-08, Consultant 09-10

Outline

0. CPT Background

1. Safety in the New ACS Guidelines and Chemical Safety Supplement

Budget, Laboratories, Safety Equipment, Resourcess, Student Skills

Promoting a Safety Conscious Culture

2. Assessing Safety and Safety Education

Laboratory Facilities, Lab Safety Practices, Safety Education

3. Challenges Faced by CPT in Encouraging Safety Education

Self-Reporting, Investigation, Enforcement

0. Committee on Professional Training

The primary mission of CPT is to promote excellence in postsecondary chemistry education through

•Administering an approval program

658 schools are currently approved; 14,577 undergraduate chemistry graduates in 2008-09; 35% were awarded an ACS-certified degree

•Conducting surveys about educational practices

Annual chemistry graduates; Regular surveys on enrollment & graduate education; Special surveys and reports on libraries, minority participation; DGR, ...

•Interacting with ACS and other professional groups with mutual interests

SOCED, CHED, CHAS, CCS, Disciplinary Divisions,...

1. Safety in the New ACS Guidelines

2. Institutional Environment

2.3 Program Budget

An approved undergraduate program in chemistry requires continuing and stable financial support. Adequate support enables a program to have ... a physical plant that meets modern safety standards with adequate waste-handling and disposal facilities

4. Infrastructure

4.1 Physical Plant

Laboratories should be suitable for instruction in the chemical sciences and must meet applicable government regulations. Properly functioning fume hoods, safety showers, eyewashes, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers must be readily available. Construction or renovation of laboratory facilities must conform to the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and national norms.

Safety in the New ACS Guidelines

4.5 Chemical Safety Resources

The program must be conducted in a safe environment that includes • adherence to federal and state regulations regarding hazardous waste management and laboratory safety including, but not limited to, development of a written chemical hygiene plan and maintenance of proper facilities and personnel for chemical waste disposal, • safety information and reference materials, such as material safety data sheets (MSDS), and • personal protective equipment readily available to all students and faculty.

6. Undergraduate Research

The research project should ... promote awareness of advanced safety practices... A student using research to meet the ACS certification requirements must prepare a well-written, comprehensive, and well-documented research report including safety considerations.

Safety in the New ACS Guidelines

7. Development of Student Skills

7.3 Laboratory Safety Skills

Approved programs should promote a safety-conscious culture in which students understand the concepts of safe laboratory practices and how to apply them. Programs should train students in the aspects of modern chemical safety appropriate to their educational level and scientific needs. A high degree of safety awareness should begin during the first laboratory course, and both classroom and laboratory discussions must stress safe practices. Students should understand responsible disposal techniques, understand and comply with safety regulations, understand and use material safety data sheets (MSDS), recognize and minimize potential chemical and physical hazards in the laboratory, and know how to handle laboratory emergencies effectively.

Safety and Safety Education Supplement

Promoting safety awareness

Demonstrated by always taking safe actions and developing a positive attitude toward safety

Safety awareness programs and reminders help promote a safety culture and encourage students to work safely

Student participation in safety committees, risk assessment, and development of safe procedures

Major safety topics that a student should understand

Hazard identification

Minimize exposure and reduce risks

Hazard and risk information

Safety procedures and processes

2. Assessing Safety and Safety Education

InfrastructureAre the following laboratory faculties adequate for your instructional program:

Safety Showers Y N Hoods Y NEye Washes Y N Ventilation Y NFire Extinguishers Y N

If marked no for any item above, please explain

Lab Safety PracticesDoes your department/university have established safety rules?

Does your department/university have emergency reporting procedures?

Does your department have a chemical hygiene plan?

Are there adequate facilities and arrangements for disposal of chemical waste?

Assessing Safety and Safety Education

Lab Safety Practices (con’t)Are safety information and reference materials (e.g., MSDS) readily available to all students and faculty?

Is personal protective equipment available and used by all students and faculty?

Is personal protective equipment available and used by all students and faculty?

If no is checked for any of the above, please explain.

Student SkillsDescribe how your program conveys safe lab practices to students

3. Challenges Faced by CPT in Encouraging Safety Education

ACS approval model is based on self-reportingDepartments regularly complete a report form that includes questions on all components of the ACS Guidelines for approval

Departments self-report on safety infrastructure, practices, and education

CPT is not an investigative or enforcement agencyCPT comments and acts on periodic reports

Approval actions are communicated to Department Chair and College/University Chief Administrative Officer

Student skillsCPT does not prescribe curriculum or specific modes of implementation

Promoting Safety Education

ACS Guidelines and Safety SupplementSafety guidelines and safety education supplement

Periodic Reports and Program ApprovalDepartments regularly complete a report form that includes questions on all components of the ACS Guidelines for approval

Surveys

Conduct surveys or assist others with surveys

Working with ACS and groups with mutual interests

CHAS, CCS, ...

NewsletterMailed to every faculty member at ACS-approved institutions

More Information

www.acs.org/cpt