#1 Science Forum For Lab Technicians

Sorry I had missed this thread - only here two days a week and have had some WHS things on. DG goods classification, now legally only relates to transport of chemicals. However, it provides a good solid framework for segregation of chemicals. Your reference for storage should always be the SDS from ...

LabTechBrooke wrote: ↑08 Nov 2024, 12:16

RosalieL wrote: ↑08 Nov 2024, 08:06 I would be suggesting something like this instead

https://www.steampoweredfamily.com/the- ... xperiment/

They are doing that one, but wanted to show how bad methane is.

One word: Youtube

I run with any acids that are classed as hazardous should be in a corrosive cabinet. Non-hazardous can sit on the shelf if you are short of space in the cabinet.

Have you got a copy of The Laboratory? (If not get hold of one!) I can't remember what I used and too lazy to walk to Science to check. But pretty sure I had a 10% stock solution that I diluted down to 1% when needed. It does degrade over time. Maybe make a new batch?

Also be concerned if the glass tubing were to break.
My HT would not allow it at all. I was very thankful of that!

We used to do the Sodium and Potassium demo here out on the basketball courts (lab techs doing it, not teachers). As of this year I have removed it all from site. Basically I think the risk it presents to store and handle is higher than the little bit of excitement we get out of the students for do...

We only do the sodium demonstration here.

Feels like an awful waste though and I try to discourage it. Was thinking the same Anna .Especially at the moment . Heck , many folk can’t find any on the supermarket shelves to eat let alone end up in the bin . I would always feel a bit uncomfortable using food that takes a lot of resources and fa...

I think ventilation is going to be the issue with using the storeroom. Your school should install an exhaust system that is usually put into chem stores and have the thing checked annually (same people that check fume hoods). You will want to be 100% sure that the cabinets are locked when not in use...

Triple rinse (at least) and reuse anything that had non-hazardous solids in them. I would reuse the plastic 2.5L acid bottles. Everything else in the bin.

Maybe you should be the WHS Officer! Sounds like my way of thinking - always the worst scenario! It takes a certain level of pessimism to do this job (but I'm not missing Science).

Never had a dedicated bench, but was able to have a cupboard. But be savage - consider if something can be repaired, how difficult it will be to repair, the cost of repair (including your time) before you store it. You maybe better off binning it and buying new, or finding a good repair person and h...

You can buy lids with valves on them for your Schott bottles. I know Haines will get them in if they don't stock them. Lids aren't cheap but needed for higher concentrations.
I'm really surprised you had a problem with 3%.
(Were you just a little embarrassed when it just fizzed a bit???)

Labbie wrote: ↑30 Sep 2024, 12:06 Well said Merilyn

Milo wrote: ↑01 Oct 2024, 14:59 For tubing there's the more specialised tool like this https://www.westlab.com.au/glass-tubing ... ium-cutter

You have to be careful with these ones that you only make one cut. Multiple cuts will create a jagged break. Useful for really large tubing though.

Maybe a bit of both. I think we're over-cautious regarding borax, but I deplore the use of herbicides and pesticides by untrained people. The effect on biodiversity is overwhelming bad. I have my ChemCert card, and I think you should be unable to buy such toxins without one. Interestingly, when the...

We have kits here, that are over 10 years old, possibly more, with some components still wrapped in plastic. Here's another tip (gosh why do I feel like I'm on my death bed, sharing random bits of information before I go??): the spirit thermometers aren't accurate enough for the ester prac. My old H...

Given that there are teachers present and we would not be able to do what you are doing without a teacher present, yes, you should have a teacher sign off on it. Or get your HT to sign off on it. Make lots of notes to explain what you are doing ie demo with teacher supervision. It is a tricky one, c...

I've bought them from Science Supply (I think) or maybe Haines. Just be careful, someone bought a receiver adaptor last year when I was on leave and mustn't have checked the $120 price tag. I would have just used one kit for spare parts and saved the money. Just looked on SSA and they have simple ki...

If they're cutting glass tubing, the trick is to do one firm drag across the glass just to score it, then carefully (I wrap tubing in a cloth and wear safety glasses) snap the tubing. If you do more than one pass of the file you will end up with a jagged break.