The Safety practices in the Chemistry Laboratories of higher secondary schools of Samtse District: A case Study in Bhutan

Teaching and learning of chemistry involves scientific tests and experiments that take place in laboratories. It involves using hazardous chemicals and equipment posing risks and health hazards to the users. Hence, the users should be thoroughly versed with laboratory safety practices. Therefore, an attempt to understand the safety practices in chemistry laboratories in schools have been examined in this study. The data were collected administering a mixed method. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Congruency of the eight predetermined themes was established by triangulating the quantitative and qualitative data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. The results indicated that the schools had good safety practices with adequate laboratory facilities and safety skills. The schools were also aware of emergency planning and chemical storage and labeling. However, schools lacked properly trained safety practitioners. It was also observed that chemicals and waste materials were disposed of without treatment. Further, it was also observed that there were shortages of safety gloves and goggles fume hood and pipette fillers. The study recommends school administrators, chemistry teachers, and laboratory assistants to procure unavailable items required for the safe conduct of chemistry laboratory activities. The study further recommends the Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide training to chemistry teachers and laboratory assistants on the safe handling of hazardous materials and on first aid techniques to address accidents.