Search found 246 matches

by melsid
25 Oct 2019, 07:39
Forum: Forum Support Desk
Topic: Problems with AgNO3 solution
Replies: 8
Views: 12116

Re: Problems with AgNO3 solution

I found that mine went cloudy at first and then clear. Strange but it still worked after that. Sadly the class then left the bottle in the sun so it precipitated out BUT I filtered out the precipitate and the resulting solution still worked for our junior pracs. I certainly won't be using it for the...
by melsid
22 Oct 2019, 07:23
Forum: Sourcing Materials & Eq Repairs
Topic: Autoclave Purchase
Replies: 5
Views: 4859

Re: Autoclave Purchase

Hi Maria, We have the All American one that is unpowered. I just sit it on my IEC hotplate (not too tall for our lab setup) and I now know exactly what temperature setting to use to get it up to the correct temperature & pressure and keep it there for 15 mins. As Merilyn said, there is much less...
by melsid
26 Aug 2019, 12:26
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Will you be the lucky winner of the Golden Ticket?
Replies: 21
Views: 15988

Re: Will you be the lucky winner of the Golden Ticket?

My ticket arrived last week, but sadly not a winner. Still, $25 off my next purchase is still a bonus!
Thanks Westlab!!
by melsid
21 Aug 2019, 10:08
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Happy STAR week
Replies: 4
Views: 6541

Re: Happy STAR week

STAR week is a new concept - and luckily my teachers have embraced it! (Yes, I am in a DoE school)
Flowers, chocolates - 2 boxes!!!, hand creams and a new crown!

Did I mention that I LOVE my job (well, today anyway...)
by melsid
29 Jul 2019, 12:13
Forum: Safety with Chemicals
Topic: carbon snake disposal
Replies: 6
Views: 5332

Re: carbon snake disposal

Hi Emma,

To dispose of the snake, I rinse well to remove any unused sulfuric acid, wrap in newspaper and put it into the bin.

Mel
by melsid
06 Jun 2019, 14:14
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Length of work day
Replies: 15
Views: 11731

Re: Length of work day

We can still go on excursions here, often the school prefers to send support staff instead of a teacher if they can - it is a lot cheaper!
Maybe because we're a country school?
And yes, we are DoE. The paperwork is a pain but it is do-able if you really want to...
by melsid
06 Jun 2019, 13:14
Forum: Safety with Chemicals
Topic: Latest Aus std AS1940
Replies: 5
Views: 6091

Re: Latest Aus std AS1940

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/ ... iquids.pdf

I found this online, hope it helps!

M
by melsid
05 Jun 2019, 11:41
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Length of work day
Replies: 15
Views: 11731

Re: Length of work day

Labbie wrote: 05 Jun 2019, 10:20 I thought DoE hours was 31.15min per week?
6.25 hours translates to 6 hrs & 15 mins so for a 5 day week that is 31.25 hours or 31 hrs and 15 mins.
by melsid
05 Jun 2019, 09:29
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Length of work day
Replies: 15
Views: 11731

Re: Length of work day

I'm also DoE and I work my 6.25 hour day and add 45 mins for lunch, making it a 7 hour day all up. Works for me! That way I get to take my breaks with the rest of the science faculty.
by melsid
04 Jun 2019, 13:46
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Length of work day
Replies: 15
Views: 11731

Re: Length of work day

I don't see how, as long as you are working your registered hours and only taking your prescribed breaks?
by melsid
31 May 2019, 11:26
Forum: Biology, Physics...
Topic: disposal of broth after Pasteurs
Replies: 5
Views: 6246

Re: disposal of broth after Pasteurs

If the broth has been used, I just autoclave it. If I have spare broth that hasn't been used, I store it for the next one or just wash it down the drain.
by melsid
31 May 2019, 10:14
Forum: Safety with Chemicals
Topic: School Uniforms
Replies: 16
Views: 11148

Re: School Uniforms

Sadly we are in the same boat as fibreweb.
We do have a set for the seniors to use but that is all.
Maybe one day....
by melsid
16 May 2019, 13:17
Forum: Recipes and Pracs
Topic: Oil for separation and rusting pracs
Replies: 4
Views: 5051

Re: Oil for separation and rusting pracs

We use vegetable oil here, and sadly the clean up involves copious amounts of paper towel, very hot water and detergent. Not to mention the blood, sweat and tears from the labbie...

I'd love to know if there is anything out there easier to clean up!!!
by melsid
09 Apr 2019, 08:25
Forum: Sourcing Materials & Eq Repairs
Topic: pressure cooker
Replies: 3
Views: 3998

Re: pressure cooker

Hi Kathryn, I would recommend purchasing an autoclave rather than a pressure cooker if you possibly can. Yes they cost a bit more, but they are designed for the task and tend to last a lot longer. So long term they are actually cheaper. We have an All American 1915X and it is great! I'm pretty sure ...
by melsid
18 Mar 2019, 07:13
Forum: Recipes and Pracs
Topic: Back Titration Ideas
Replies: 9
Views: 6924

Re: Back Titration Ideas

Wow, that sounds like fun!!!
by melsid
14 Mar 2019, 08:12
Forum: Recipes and Pracs
Topic: Back Titration Ideas
Replies: 9
Views: 6924

Re: Back Titration Ideas

I might be able to help if i knew what a back titration was??? Showing my lack of knowledge here...
by melsid
09 Mar 2019, 12:32
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Work load
Replies: 7
Views: 7776

Re: Work load

1. 730
2. 24
3. 9
4. No
5. Yes - half day / week doing WHS inspections and paperwork
6. Yes

Additional info - I have to look after 11 teachers, 6 labs, 3 prep rooms and 1 storeroom.
by melsid
04 Mar 2019, 11:34
Forum: Chemistry and Labware - General
Topic: Safety Glasses Storage
Replies: 5
Views: 5455

Re: Safety Glasses Storage

We bought the foam inserts for safety glasses that are designed to fit into the gratnells boxes. They fit perfectly into some of our old timber drawers and help protect the glasses. You can also see at a glance if any are missing.
by melsid
13 Feb 2019, 10:44
Forum: Safety with Chemicals
Topic: storage of corrosives
Replies: 9
Views: 5850

Re: storage of corrosives

We don't have a cabinet for corrosives at all, they have their own bank of shelves in the chemstore. I haven't had any problems with my iodine (or anything else) staining labels.