Science experiments and hands-on activities are perennial classroom favorites, and they’re a fundamental part of high school lab sciences. Before you start, though, you’ll want to make sure you have the right lab safety equipment ready to go. We’ve rounded up some of the most important items your lab might need, available at trusted science lab equipment suppliers.
Tip: Teaching students lab safety really is vital. To ensure your classes get thorough training on the subject, try a safety course like the ones designed by Flinn Scientific. They have courses for teachers too, including those needed for certifications.
Fisher Scientific
Goggles
Eye protection is absolutely vital when you’re working with chemicals. These goggles are basic and affordable, and they’re the right size for teens. (If you need child-sized goggles, check out this option from Amazon.)
You can buy disposable gloves in a variety of places, but you’ll want to make sure they’re both latex-free and chemical-resistant. Consider keeping several sizes on hand to ensure a good fit for all students.
Most classrooms are already equipped with a fire extinguisher, but it’s also smart to keep a fire blanket on hand. Mount this lab safety equipment to the wall in an easily accessible location, so all students know where to find it.
It’s important for students to tie back and secure long hair when they’re working in the lab. Plain rubber bands can get stuck, so keep a supply of these basic bulk hair ties on hand for students who don’t have their own.
High school science labs should strongly consider installing pull-down safety showers, in case of a spill or other hazardous exposure. This model comes in two versions, wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted.
Keep one of these around for times when you’re performing a demo with hazardous vapors or other materials. This one is NIOSH-approved, with replaceable filters.
These are really more about protecting student clothing than anything else. For more robust protection, keep a supply of rubber chemical-resistant aprons in your stock too.
Various spilled substances call for different controls. This kit includes sand, acid neutralizer, and a super-absorbent material to help handle most science lab spills.
Use these to collect and dispose of waste that has come into contact with contaminants. You might also find it helpful to have a large biohazard trash bin in the lab too.
Keep dangerous chemicals safe with locking storage cabinets. Put together a set that makes the most sense for your science lab, with options for both flammable and corrosive liquids.
