Preventing Chemical Spills

No matter what precautions are taken, accidental chemical spills will occur in a science laboratory. Be a responsible science teacher and make sure proper safety equipment is available to contain and control a spill and understand how to use the safety equipment. Equally as important as knowing how to clean up spills is understanding how to prevent both minor and major chemical spills. Experiments, laboratories, and purchasing procedures should be designed to minimize the possibility of chemical spills. Experiments should use the minimal amount of chemicals whenever possible. The following guidelines will reduce the risk of chemical spills.