Introduction

Although accidents resulting in serious injuries rarely occur in school science laboratories, schools should be on the alert at all times and take active measures to minimise the occurrence of laboratory accidents. The causes/nature of the accidents reported in the Surveys on Laboratory Accidents and the preventive measures that can be taken are presented here for reference of schools.

Schools should keep a record of all accidents (including minor accidents) in each science laboratory, and report all serious laboratory accidents (e.g. an accident in which medical advice has been sought) to the respective Regional Education Offices without delay. School should also make use of the accidents records to improve the effectiveness of the preventive measures for minimising the occurrence of laboratory accidents.