At school, children constantly hear about safety precautions. In physical education classes, they are obliged to abide by certain rules so that during a stormy game they do not hurt each other; during labor training they are threatened with scissors, needles, machine tools, hammers and other tools; in the case of chemistry, the danger comes from reagents diluted, of course, but if they get on the skin, it will not be pleasant; even in biology classes, there are strict guidelines for using scalpels and microscopes. All these requirements set the task of caring for the life and health of students. But still, one item is missing from the list above. The fact that there is safety in the physics office, many know - still experiments with weights, electrical circuits, calorimeters and other physical devices - is not a safe occupation. What are the rules of conduct in an office where amazing experiments take place?
Rules for briefing
Before proceeding to specific rules, I would like to note that each student at the beginning and middle of the school year is required to undergo safety training in the physics office. Yes, most teachers consider this a waste of time: before each laboratory lesson, they still repeat all the rules, but at the same time, at the first, introductory lesson, you can introduce some general restrictions on behavior, such as a ban on violent games in the office where you are equipment, or prohibit the use of appliances without teacher control. And then, for each section of the material, give new and new rules, based on the objects used in the learning process: it is clear that what is said about electricity will be completely irrelevant in matters of optics.
After being instructed, students receive a safety journal in the physics office, where they put their signature, confirming that they are familiar with all the instructions.
General rules
Safety rules in the physics office must be presented either in printed form or in the form of colorful information stands - any student should be able to get acquainted with them at any time. I would also like to note the mandatory presence of first-aid kits in the classroom (situations are different, so it may well be necessary for the teacher to provide first aid) and a fire extinguisher (better than a powder fire extinguisher, which will not provoke a further short circuit when working with electrical appliances). Yes, in most cases, none of these items are used, but it’s better to be ready for anything. The mandatory rule is the hair gathered in the tail of the girls - they can not only interfere with work, but can also cause serious injuries due to falling into moving parts of cars, fire and other emergencies.
Work with laboratory glassware
So, we will pass to specific instructions. Let's start with working with laboratory glassware - test tubes, beakers and various flasks. Safety precautions in the physics office only require the use of such containers, the edges of which are melted, the diameter of the tubes with which these vessels communicate with each other should be selected taking into account the necks of the beakers. In addition, before starting work, you need to make sure that the dishes presented do not have cracks and chips (this is usually done by the laboratory assistant, but once again it never hurts to make sure).
When heating, it is imperative to use tripods or holders to avoid burns, in no case should the tube be directed at itself, in addition, it must be ensured that there is no sharp temperature difference (immediately place the filled flask over the burner without warming it first ) - this can lead to rupture of the vessel. Do not touch already heated vessels or vessels with hot liquid - no one canceled the burns. If during the experiment, nevertheless, a nuisance occurred, and a certain container broke, the glass is collected with a broom and dustpan, you do not need to climb into the fragments with your hands.
Using a spirit lamp
It’s worth noting the rules for working with a spirit lamp here - you can’t light one spirit lamp from another, you only need to extinguish it with a cap, and in no case blow it out, and, naturally, ignition of clothes and hair should be avoided.
When working with a spirit lamp, as mentioned above, you need to use special holders and tripods.
Work with electrical appliances
The next section, the study of which may be associated with injuries, is electricity. It is worth noting that safety precautions in the physics cabinet provide for most of the requirements specifically for him. The most important rule is in no case to start work without a teacher, all manipulations should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. When conducting an experiment, it is necessary to take into account the permissible rotation speeds and power of the devices - otherwise injury may occur when equipment is destroyed. No need to bend to the rotating and moving parts of the machines to exclude the possibility of hair or clothing items getting inside them.
Electrical circuits
For laboratory studies to study electrical circuits, conductors with reliable insulation must be used. It is better to avoid crossing wires - in case of an emergency, it can take precious time to find the necessary conductor. The current source is connected to the system last. Even if the voltage is not turned on, do not touch bare wires. During any manipulations with the chain (adding links or changing the connection order), the student must turn it off. The current in the circuit is started only after checking the correctness of all connections by the teacher. The safety instruction in the physics cabinet also prohibits leaving the electrical circuit switched on unattended.
In order to make sure that there is current in the circuit, use measuring instruments, touching the circuit itself is prohibited in any case. In case of emergency: malfunctioning devices, overheating, burning odor or plastic melting, immediately turn off the current source and inform the teacher about the situation.
Experiments with electrolytes
Safety measures in the physics office at the school also include experiments on working with electrolytes. Before the crime for the experiment, copper rods are cleaned of various contaminants and oxide films. A new electrolyte solution should be poured a day before the experiment itself.
Conical plugs of electrodes should be in solution, only after that all contacts are closed by wire. If electrolyte gets on the rest of the equipment, the furniture must be washed with water, if the solution is on the skin, wash it with warm water and soap.
Study tours
When studying one of the most fascinating subjects, it is worth remembering that safety precautions in the physics office do not end there - you must follow certain rules of behavior during excursions that teachers can organize for students. Teachers should make sure that the location of this excursion is completely safe for students, all details of the visit should be agreed with the administration of the enterprise, which provides an opportunity to see the application of the knowledge already known from laboratory studies in practice.
Before starting, students get acquainted with the rules of behavior, if necessary, put on protective equipment and leave devices that are prohibited for some reason at the place of the excursion (for example, mobile phones) in an agreed place. Naturally, any manipulations with the objects demonstrated during the tour are prohibited without the permission of the teacher and guide, on which all responsibility for the life and health of children rests. All hazardous objects (repaired installations, tunable equipment) must be fenced and equipped with warning signs. When the tour is over, the teacher checks for students on the list.
Conclusion
Safety measures in the physics classroom for students are by no means meaningless prescriptions. Following the rules ensures the safety of students during the experiments and ensures the success of the experiment. Some labs are conducted by the teacher in a demonstration mode, but in this case, both the teacher and students are required to adhere to these requirements. Safety in the physics office is a prerequisite for the successful conduct of laboratory classes.