Chemical Management in Elementary Science

At the elementary level, students may use a variety of materials to observe and describe properties, investigate the effects of heating and cooling, and explore changes that occur during chemical reactions. Because these activities may involve chemicals, including common household substances, effective chemical management is essential to maintaining a safe learning environment. Although schools and districts should establish clear procedures, the teacher is responsible for implementing safe chemical use during instruction.

For the purposes of elementary science instruction, the term chemical should be understood broadly to include all forms of matter used in investigations. This includes household materials such as sugar, salt, baking soda, cooking oil, water, sand, and similar substances, as well as commercial laboratory chemicals. Chemical management should address the following areas.

Procurement

Chemicals used in elementary classrooms should be obtained only through a school or local educational agency procurement process. All chemicals and materials selected for classroom use must be age appropriate and suitable for the intended instructional purpose. Donated chemicals should not be accepted for classroom use.

Teachers should purchase only the quantity needed for a specific activity or short-term instructional use. When possible, teachers should coordinate with grade-level colleagues to avoid duplicate purchases, excess quantities, or long-term storage of unused materials. Chemical purchases should be approved in advance by the Chemical Hygiene Officer or other designated personnel and should follow school or district purchasing procedures.

A Safety Data Sheet should be obtained and retained for every chemical, including household materials purchased from local stores. The date each chemical is received should be recorded. Chemicals should be labeled in accordance with applicable hazard communication requirements, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Globally Harmonized System provisions where applicable.

Inventory and Storage

Each school or local educational agency should maintain a chemical management system that includes an accurate inventory of all chemicals, dates of receipt, storage locations, and corresponding Safety Data Sheets. Chemical inventories should be reviewed regularly to ensure that materials remain appropriate for classroom use and are not retained unnecessarily.

Whenever possible, chemicals should be stored in a location separate from the classroom. When classroom storage is unavoidable, chemicals must be secured in a locked area that is inaccessible to students. Storage areas should be appropriate for the materials being stored and should include required signage. (For more information, see Classroom and Laboratory Safety Signs ). All containers must have clear, accurate, and understandable labels.

Chemicals should not be retained longer than necessary. Long-term storage can lead to forgotten materials, unknown hazards, or hazardous decomposition, particularly when staff changes occur. Classrooms, laboratories, and storerooms that contain hazardous chemicals should display appropriate hazard signage, such as NFPA 704 labeling, consistent with local policy and emergency responder needs.

Handling, Instruction, and Personal Protective Equipment

Safe chemical handling must be taught explicitly as part of science instruction. Students should learn how to use chemicals, equipment, and apparatus correctly; understand the consequences of unsafe handling; and recognize the importance of following teacher directions. These expectations should be reinforced throughout the activity.

Students must wash their hands with soap and water after completing any activity involving chemicals. Handwashing instruction should include washing the wrists, palms, backs of hands, between fingers, thumbs, and under or around the fingernails.

Students must be closely supervised during all activities involving chemicals. Teachers should monitor students to ensure that materials are used only as directed, that students do not conduct unauthorized investigations, and that materials are not removed for later unsupervised use. Because elementary students may not fully understand the potential hazards of even familiar materials, teachers have an ongoing duty to provide instruction and supervision during all science investigations.

All injuries or suspected exposures that occur during science instruction should be reported to the school nurse or designated health personnel according to school procedures.

Activities involving chemicals require appropriate personal protective equipment. Chemical splash goggles meeting ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 D3 standards should be worn by all occupants of the room when splash hazards are present or when required by the activity. Teachers must ensure that goggles are worn properly over the eyes for the full duration of setup, investigation, and cleanup. Shared goggles should be cleaned and disinfected or sanitized after each use, including the strap.

Additional protective equipment, such as aprons and non-latex gloves, may be required based on the Safety Data Sheet, particularly Section 8, which identifies recommended exposure controls and personal protective equipment. Teachers and other adults in the classroom should model safe practices by wearing the same required protective equipment as students.

Disposal, Spills, and Breakage

Teachers must provide clear instructions for proper cleanup and disposal before an activity begins. Waste materials must be disposed of in accordance with Safety Data Sheets and applicable local, state, and federal requirements. Cleanup and disposal should be treated as part of the instructional routine and as an essential component of a classroom safety culture.

Students should be instructed to report spills, broken containers, or broken equipment to the teacher immediately. Student safety is the first priority in any spill or breakage situation. Students should not clean up chemical spills, broken glass, or other hazardous materials unless the task is explicitly appropriate, supervised, and consistent with school procedures. Breakage and hazardous cleanup should be handled by the teacher, custodial staff, or other trained personnel according to local protocols.