Australia's Science Forum

SDS (was MSDS) have to be updated every 5 years.

I was just listening to Alan Smith on the DEC Webinar about the new CSIS package. He stated 'If you don't have perspex glassware to replace soda glass you are running a risk'

Does anyone have perspex test tubes that they use consistently?

Hi Labbie
Appendix B has bromine as a teacher only chemical and instructions on opening an ampoule (cool first). I still have 2 ampoules left and intended on using them up. Where does it say we are not allowed to have them any more?

I contacted Phillip Crisp about lead nitrate. RiskAssess has it as teacher use only for 0.1M. CSIS has it as years 7-12. He replied that CSIS is 17 years old and now out of date and RiskAssess is current knowledge. We still use RiskAssess to do our experiments but when something is different - like ...

I don't make changes to the teacher's risk assessment but if they have left off items - particularly minor equipment - then I add it using 'add review notes' so the next time someone wants to use the RA they can add these things in the right place.

Teachers have to write them because they are assessing the risk to the students in their class. This might change depending if the class is a top class or a bottom class.

We only use calcium and sodium. Have never had lithium and potassium is banned in DEC schools.

Add universal indicator to the solution to be neutralised. See what the pH is. If the solution is an acid with a low pH (1-6) add an alkali to make the pH 7 and if it's a base (pH 8-13) add some acid to make it pH 7 For example, 0.1M HCl solution pH about 1. Add universal indicator. Add NaOH until t...

It seems that everything is as clear as mud. I chair our WHS Committee and I can't get answers from anyone. Our WHS consultant just passed on the information that: 'You keep doing what you have been doing until directed by the Department and the new CSIS is delivered.' I can't see how we can be held...

Ours were collected with the chemical pick-up.

I have two of them. I took one to Newcastle TAFE but no-one had any ideas there either.

Has anyone tried acrylic burettes?

Does Phillip Crisp write CSIS? I thought it was a department group that was responsible for this.

RiskAssess has moved over to GHS and they look good. One of my teachers did a risk assessment for lead (II) nitrate and it has come up with the 0.03-0.18 M (1-6% wt/wt) as a teacher use only. CSIS still has it as 7-12 years. Has anyone else found anything different since the changeover?

I've got 2x3ft tanks - one with water plants for the fish and yabbie, and the other for a succulent garden.

The steady hand set-up is always popular. That's what I call it anyway. Copper wire attached to a base both ends and winding around in a curve, a circle of wire attached to alligator clip and create a circuit with either a buzzer or a globe. They try to get along the wire without touching it and mak...

I did Cert IV Applied Science - Chemistry. Was going to do the Diploma but could only do it full time and I didn't want to lose this job. Besides I've learnt so much with 'on-the-job' training and conferences and it's been fun learning it all.

Check with CSIS and WHS for the chemicals you use to embed. There can be issues that need to be overcome.

If the chemical or product is on site then it has to be on a chemical stocktake list. If there was a fire the fire department needs to know what is on site - contractor or not.

Hi Smeee
The attachment is not a flyer with the information.