1. ACS Guidelines for
Chemical Safety Education in
Undergraduate Chemistry Programs
William F. Polik
Hope College, Holland MI, USA
ACS Committee on Professional Training
Member 2000-05, Chair 2006-08, Consultant 09-10
2. Outline
0. CPT Background
1. Safety in the New ACS Guidelines and Chemical
Safety Supplement
Budget, Laboratories, Safety Equipment,
Resourcess, Student Skills
Promoting a Safety Conscious Culture
2. Assessing Safety and Safety Education
Laboratory Facilities, Lab Safety Practices, Safety Education
3. Challenges Faced by CPT in Encouraging Safety
Education
Self-Reporting, Investigation, Enforcement
3. 0. Committee on Professional Training
The primary mission of CPT is to promote excellence in
postsecondary chemistry education through
•Administering an approval program
658 schools are currently approved; 14,577 undergraduate chemistry
graduates in 2008-09; 35% were awarded an ACS-certified degree
•Conducting surveys about educational practices
Annual chemistry graduates; Regular surveys on enrollment &
graduate education; Special surveys and reports on libraries, minority
participation; DGR, ...
•Interacting with ACS and other professional groups with
mutual interests
SOCED, CHED, CHAS, CCS, Disciplinary Divisions,...
4. 1. Safety in the New ACS Guidelines
2. Institutional Environment
2.3 Program Budget
An approved undergraduate program in chemistry requires continuing
and stable financial support. Adequate support enables a program to
have ... a physical plant that meets modern safety standards with
adequate waste-handling and disposal facilities
4. Infrastructure
4.1 Physical Plant
Laboratories should be suitable for instruction in the chemical sciences
and must meet applicable government regulations. Properly functioning
fume hoods, safety showers, eyewashes, first aid kits, and fire
extinguishers must be readily available. Construction or renovation of
laboratory facilities must conform to the regulations of the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and national norms.
5. Safety in the New ACS Guidelines
4.5 Chemical Safety Resources
The program must be conducted in a safe environment that includes
• adherence to federal and state regulations regarding hazardous
waste management and laboratory safety including, but not limited to,
development of a written chemical hygiene plan and maintenance of
proper facilities and personnel for chemical waste disposal,
• safety information and reference materials, such as material safety
data sheets (MSDS), and
• personal protective equipment readily available to all students and
faculty.
6. Undergraduate Research
The research project should ... promote awareness of advanced safety
practices... A student using research to meet the ACS certification
requirements must prepare a well-written, comprehensive, and well-
documented research report including safety considerations.
6. Safety in the New ACS Guidelines
7. Development of Student Skills
7.3 Laboratory Safety Skills
Approved programs should promote a safety-conscious culture in
which students understand the concepts of safe laboratory practices
and how to apply them. Programs should train students in the aspects
of modern chemical safety appropriate to their educational level and
scientific needs. A high degree of safety awareness should begin
during the first laboratory course, and both classroom and laboratory
discussions must stress safe practices. Students should understand
responsible disposal techniques, understand and comply with safety
regulations, understand and use material safety data sheets (MSDS),
recognize and minimize potential chemical and physical hazards in the
laboratory, and know how to handle laboratory emergencies effectively.
7. Safety and Safety Education Supplement
Promoting safety awareness
Demonstrated by always taking safe actions and developing a
positive attitude toward safety
Safety awareness programs and reminders help promote a safety
culture and encourage students to work safely
Student participation in safety committees, risk assessment, and
development of safe procedures
Major safety topics that a student should understand
Hazard identification
Minimize exposure and reduce risks
Hazard and risk information
Safety procedures and processes
8. 2. Assessing Safety and Safety Education
Infrastructure
Are the following laboratory faculties adequate for your instructional
program:
Safety Showers Y N Hoods Y N
Eye Washes Y N Ventilation Y N
Fire Extinguishers Y N
If marked no for any item above, please explain
Lab Safety Practices
Does your department/university have established safety rules?
Does your department/university have emergency reporting
procedures?
Does your department have a chemical hygiene plan?
Are there adequate facilities and arrangements for disposal of
chemical waste?
9. Assessing Safety and Safety Education
Lab Safety Practices (con’t)
Are safety information and reference materials (e.g., MSDS) readily
available to all students and faculty?
Is personal protective equipment available and used by all students
and faculty?
Is personal protective equipment available and used by all students
and faculty?
If no is checked for any of the above, please explain.
Student Skills
Describe how your program conveys safe lab practices to students
10. 3. Challenges Faced by CPT in
Encouraging Safety Education
ACS approval model is based on self-reporting
Departments regularly complete a report form that includes questions
on all components of the ACS Guidelines for approval
Departments self-report on safety infrastructure, practices, and
education
CPT is not an investigative or enforcement agency
CPT comments and acts on periodic reports
Approval actions are communicated to Department Chair and
College/University Chief Administrative Officer
Student skills
CPT does not prescribe curriculum or specific modes of implementation
11. Promoting Safety Education
ACS Guidelines and Safety Supplement
Safety guidelines and safety education supplement
Periodic Reports and Program Approval
Departments regularly complete a report form that includes questions
on all components of the ACS Guidelines for approval
Surveys
Conduct surveys or assist others with surveys
Working with ACS and groups with mutual interests
CHAS, CCS, ...
Newsletter
Mailed to every faculty member at ACS-approved institutions
