It is the responsibility of the student and their sponsoring school to carefully monitor all projects and/or lecture demonstrations for SAFETY and proper SAFETY practices. Decisions by the Safety Committee are final. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS CONTACT: Walt Garrow @ 716-316-7826
General Safety Practices 1. Personal Protective Equipment MUST be used as needed: a. Safety goggles or glasses with side shields or a full face shield. b. Laboratory coats or aprons, shirts/blouses, or lab coats with long sleeves should be worn by students who are performing demonstrations. c. Appropriate glove protection for potential hazards (i.e. liquids, solvents, corrosive materials, chemicals, extreme heat or cold, and electrical current) 2. Students and teachers should familiarize themselves with the availability and use of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). These sheets can be easily obtained from any Chemical Supplier. 3. NO FOOD, DRINK, SAMPLING, or TASTING is allowed in any laboratory or classroom display areas. A violation of this directive may lead to a disqualifi- cation of your project or lecture demonstration. 4. Student projects or lecture demonstrations must not be left unattended from setup until students are dismissed by the judges. Congress Room Assistants are present in the display rooms to maintain general security and are NOT responsible for projects and lecture demonstration materials brought to the Congress. 5. All projects and lecture demonstrations must be inspected and approved by members of the Safety Committee BEFORE judging begins. Complete a SAFETY CHECKLIST and place it next to your project after setting up. Your project will be approved by the Safety Committee before being judged. 6. The Safety Committee reserves the right to disable, modify, remove, or disqualify any project or lecture demonstration that, in the opinion of the committee, poses a potential safety hazard to either the students, judges, or the viewing public.
Biology and Behavioral Science 1.All entries which use humans, animals mold, fungi, bacteria, or viruses MUST complete the: Biological Projects Form which details how you use uses living organisms, animals, or humans in your experiment. Download the Biological Projects form.
2. Rather than bringing animals to the Congress, consider alternate method of showing the animals role and results by using video tape or photographs. If live specimens are brought to the Congress, proper housing, good hygiene, and proper food and fluids must be provided by the student. 3. In cases involving molds, fungi or bacteria cultures, use photographs rather than bringing in live cultures. 4. Under NO circumstances are VIRUSES to be brought to the Congress. Students should use video tape or photographs to show their work in virology. 5. DO NOT bring or display the following: a. Pathogenic cultures (mold, fungi, bacteria, viruses) or carcinogenic agents b. Any type of hypodermic syringe and needles (Note: Plastic syringe cases may be used as part of hydraulic systems and will be accepted when used for that purpose) c. Any venomous animal or poisonous plants. CONTACT: WALT GARROW @ 716-316-7826 d. Controlled substances or drugs regulated by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Control Act of 1970.
Physical and Electrical 1. Only 110-120 volt/60 cycle AC outlets are available for use in labs or classroom areas. The electric outlets are three-prong, grounded services. Participants must bring their own UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approved and properly shielded electrical cords and electrical equipment. 2. All battery powered (DC) units must also be properly wired and protected for possible shock hazard. 3. High voltage sources, such as Telsa coils, etc must be enclosed in a safe protective environment to prevent possible injury. Adequate warning signs (i.e. CAUTION, HAZARD, HIGH VOLTAGE) must be clearly visible from all directions of the project or lecture demonstration. Displays must be deactivated when the operator is not present. 4. The use of cryogenic solids or liquids, such as nitro- gen or dry ice requires special handling and personal protective equipment. The use of a Dewar container is required. Not: thermos bottles are not Dewar flasks and are not to be used for storing liquid nitrogen!. Spill trays for working with cryogenic materials must be provided and used. 5. Any use of LASER pointers for projects and lecture demonstrations must be reported to the Safety Committee. All LASER pointers must be kept in the possession of the student's supervising adult before and after the presentation. LASERS must be firmly secured. LASER beam blockers and shutters must be arranges so the LASER light does not enter the eyes of the demonstrator or any other person. 6. Firm supports and proper shields are required for all projects and lecture demonstrations involving the use of infrared (IR) lamps or long wave ultraviolet (366 nm) lamps.
Chemistry 1. All students must wear the appropriate safety equipment as needed. 2. Chemical reactions should not result in the formation of noxious fumes or odors. 3. Only electrical heating via a hot plate or heating mantle is allowed. Open flame sources are not permitted. 4. All containers with solids, liquids, or solutions, must be non-breakable, capped, and sealed. Each container must be labeled with the name, concen- tration, and formula of its contents. 5. If using a vacuum pump system, all connections must be made of material specifically designed for vacuum pressure and carry the label "for vacuum use." All containers must be covered with a fiberglass strapping material applied down the sides of the container to guard against implosion. Only a boiling flask with a round bottom may be used. No Erlenmeyer or Florence flasks may be used. 6. If ultrasonics or a microwave is to be used, you must contact the Safety Committee (Walt Garrow, 716-316-7826) 7. No explosive or potentially explosive materials are to be used or displayed at the Science Congress. 8. There will be no sampling, tasting, eating, or drinking by any demonstrator, judge, or the general public in the laboratory or classroom areas.
