SAFETY CULTURE IN SCIENCE LABORATORY

Abstract

The science laboratory is of paramount position in the learning of students. It is where students spend much
of their time in working with their laboratory activities which include but not limited to experiments, research,
clinical or diagnostic testing and analysis. Safety culture in the laboratory is emphasized to avoid hazards
before, during and after the conduct of experiments.
This study determined the safety culture in science laboratory of the teacher education students of the
University of Northern Philippines in terms of their understanding on the 20 laboratory safety symbols as
individual and as a group. The descriptive-quantitative method of research was employed using a
questionnaire as data gathering tool. Mean score, mean score percentage and t-test were used to treat the
data.
Results of the study showed that the respondents have low level of understanding on the laboratory safety
symbols. Their understanding is lowest on the symbols in the laboratory that can be found in gas station, low
temperature, irritant, unsafe water drinking, emergency exit, and corrosive but highest on the symbols toxic,
radioactivity, first aid, fire hose, fire extinguisher, defibrillator station and environmental hazard. More or less
the students have the same understanding on the safety symbols as an individual and as a group.
It was recommended to improve the safety culture in science laboratory of the students. This could be done
by developing an safe education program and strict implementation of the precautions in the laboratory.