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Review: Common Sense in the Chemistry Lab

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Reviewer

Name

Dr Martin Wilson

Institution

Napier University

Department

School of Life Sciences

Job title

Research Technician

Video Details

Title

Common Sense in the Chemistry Lab

Country

UK

Duration (mins)

9 mins 5 secs

Collection

Not a segment, but part of the collection of Sheffield University Learning Media Unit

Year

1992

Description

As its title suggests, this programme highlights the need for common sense when working in the chemistry laboratory.

Subject classification

Safety Measures, Fires, Chemistry Education, UK

Intended audience

Suitable for staff, A-level students and 1st year undergraduates.

Brief summary

An informative video which should be of use to students unfamiliar with large laboratory environments.

Review

Audience and Use

The intended audience for this video is A-level students and 1st year undergraduates. It is also stated as being of use to staff; however, staff working within such environments should already be very aware of the topics covered. This video would be useful where there are no laboratory induction procedures in place, or where there are large classes of 1st year undergraduates or school leavers who are not used to working independently in a laboratory situation. This video would be useful to show to new students before any practical work commences. Although the main topic is work in a chemistry lab, all of the topics covered would be suitable for biological labs (though additional information would need to be provided on the handling of biological specimens, aseptic techniques etc).

Content

The general message and theme of the video is that the use of common sense in a large chemistry laboratory to prevent accidents - 'prevention is better than cure'. The video concentrate on three main themes: Cuts; Spills and Fires. Following the three themes, it also briefly examines the use of fume cupboards, safety equipment and PPE including gloves, accident reporting and working in a tidy manner. The content of the video is accurate and up to date (especially the theme of long hair not just applying to women!!), however, on the theme of Cuts within the lab, this focused on glass pipettes. Many teaching and research labs have already, or are in the process of, phasing out glass pipettes in favour of the disposable plastic variety. The use of glass pipettes was a major hazard in the lab, but as these are not as well used, students should be aware of other possible sources of cuts. No mention was made of the fact that anyone working in the lab should cover up any existing cuts with a plaster before entering the lab. On a further note with regarding spills in the lab, no mention was made of 'Spill Kits' which should now be available in all laboratories to soak up any liquid. Apart from these points, the video is accurate and useful for those without much practical lab experience.

Technical issues

The segments of the video download and played without problem (PC running Windows Media Player). The video was of very good quality, well filmed and had a very natural and authentic feel to it. The three segments were well described.

General comments

This video is indeed a useful resource for learning and teaching with regards to an introduction to common sense in the lab. However, the video concentrates only on three main topics and does not include another major hazard in a chemistry laboratory which is chemicals themselves. The only section which may now not be appropriate is the use of fire extinguishers or other fire fighting equipment by the students. Staff within a university or teaching environment should be instructed on the safe use of such equipment and should be informed immediately of any fire which is out of control. This section and the section covering 'Cuts' should perhaps be reviewed in light of new safety procedures.