The focus of this study is to investigate the extent of safety compliance, in secondary school science laboratories

in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State. Two research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. The

study employed descriptive survey design. This is to enable the researcher describe the extent of safety

compliance and make decisions based on empirical evidence. The researcher used a total number of seventy-two

(72) public secondary schools, out of 78 public secondary schools in the zone. This is because, six secondary

laboratories in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State was high. Based on the findings of the study, the

researcher therefore, recommended that Government of Ebonyi State and school authorities should keep up the

present level of laboratory safety compliance in secondary school science laboratories in the state by

collaborating with curriculum developers to review the existing curriculum and integrate the basic tenets of

Science makes life easy and improves the standard of living. For science to strive well, it requires well equipped

and standard laboratories. The study of nature and natural phenomena is referred to as science. Mbajiorgu (2021)

stated that the study of nature and natural phenomena deals with experimental approach of physical measurable

Allen, Henry, Albert and Donald (2021) described laboratory as a building or room fitted up for conducting

scientific experiments, analysis or similar works. Laboratory is thus a workshop for scientists. Igwe (2023) stated

that, science laboratory is a facility for learning what science is and its application by scientists. It can be in-door

like well-designed and equipped rooms found in most secondary schools or out-door involving places such as

riverside, work shop, field and even market. This means that laboratory experience could be attained either in-

door or out-door, which implies providing opportunity for students to develop the understanding of practical and

theoretical concepts through solving problems by participation in series of experimental, observational and

demonstrating activities. Therefore, science laboratory is a special facility for teaching science through research

evidence in secondary school science in general (Igwe, 2023). The laboratory serves as the basic practical

framework for carrying out laboratory activities (that is, the study of science concepts, using the scientific

such science laboratories should be relatively safe for those using it as well as the materials, chemical and tools

dangerous equipment not properly handled by laboratory users. Laboratory hazards and risks are many and

varied as reported by Nkwegu (2023) and include exposition to poison, burns, infection, explosion and stains.

Other causes of laboratory accidents he outlined include the following; distraction, poor storage of materials and

equipment, failure to use protective items for safety, the use of worn-out equipment. Adigun (2022) reported

that laboratory accidents are in some cases inevitable; they may in most other cases be minimized or completely

avoided if adequate emphasis is placed on correct laboratory safety measures.

Working with safety ensures achieving purpose without damage of any kind, injury or accident. Ali (2023)

stressed that safety implies that students, teachers and other laboratory users are not injured or killed, stating that

materials and equipment in the laboratory are not damaged during use. Allen, Henry, Albert and Donald (2021)

posited that safety refers to the state of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk or injury. Okorie

Nigerian secondary schools are inevitable during laboratory activities.

To prevent continuous exposure of laboratory users to laboratory hazards, Hayble (2021), opined that laboratory

safety measures must be utmost in priority. The teacher should take note of possible accidents which could occur

in a given situation and appropriate action to be taken to avoid any unfortunate event, when planning practical

for science laboratory work. Hayble (2021), maintained that most reagents and dangerous instruments should

have hazard signs placed on them and the safety measures or precautions of usage clearly enumerated in the

manual to assist the user.

Despite the various sources of hazards in the laboratory, Duru (2023) believed that working in the laboratory is

a very safe place to work. He opined that, making use of laboratory safety wears like gloves, safety glasses and

laboratory coat could prevent contamination of the body with chemicals. Science teachers have the responsibility

in the disposal of laboratory wastes, skill in the management of emergency situations, personal practices in the

laboratory. Ibam, Ibrahim and Idoko (2021), also pointed out that every laboratory should have safety

instruments.

Safety is the state of being protected from harm or danger. Safety can also refer to the control of known hazard

in order to minimize the rate of risk. Flinn (2022) is of the view that laboratory safety deals with the development

of skills and responsibility involving every laboratory user which must be integrated into science laboratory

curriculum. This implies that safety measures must be integral part of each laboratory course including research

with increasingly broader scope at more advanced levels.

Safety compliance refers to the act of adhering to established safety standards, regulations, and laws to protect

implementing policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

sector. At the administrative level, this will include putting a decision or plan into effect such as execution of a

were risks and accidents, such as loss of life, fire hazard, electrocution among others, are avoided through

the plunger popped out of the syringe, she was using to transfer tert-buty lithium. This ignites spontaneously in

air, causing her gloves and jumper to catch fire. He also recorded that, another research assistant, died in Yerkes

Regional primate research center in Georgia due to a chance splash of primate fluids. Because he did not use

safety glasses, a piece of material contaminated with herpes B virus (probably urine or feces) got into her eye

To ascertain the extent of safety compliance available in Secondary school Laboratory in Abakaliki Education

Zone?

To ascertain the extent of safety compliance available based on subject area in Secondary school Laboratory in

Abakaliki Education Zone?

The following research questions guided the study

What is the extent of safety compliance available in secondary school laboratory in Abakaliki Education Zone?

What is the extent of safety compliance available based on subject area in Secondary school Laboratory in

Ebonyi State. The population of the study is 78 science laboratories consisting of 335 science teachers in

secondary schools in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State. Statistical data available based on 2018/2019

academic year, Biology has 153 teachers; Chemistry has 112 teachers, while Physics has 70 teachers. The

researcher did not sample but, made use of 72 schools which have science laboratory. This means 6 out of the

78 secondary schools did not have science laboratory. The instrument used for the collection of data for this

titled Safety Compliance Assessment Questionnaire (SCAQ). The Instrument has 14 items. The instrument was

face validated by five experts from the department of science education, one from measurement and evaluation,

one from biology education, one from chemistry education and two from physics education. The face validation

scrutinized the items in terms of standard, format, clarity as well as content coverage. Cronbach Alpha statistics

was used for the computation of the reliability of the instrument which yielded a coefficient of 0.71.

From the data generated, mean and standard deviation were used in answering the research questions, while the

Laboratory in Abakaliki Education Zone is significant.

Findings on level of compliance to safety measures show that laboratory users in secondary schools in Abakaliki

Education Zone, of Ebonyi State comply with required safety measures at high extent in the use of safety goggles,

hand gloves, laboratory coats and avoiding of unauthorized experiments. While, comply at high extent with not

playing, fighting, eating, sitting on laboratory benches, wearing of high heeled shoes and dangling jewelry.

This is in line with the recommendations of Adigun (2015) that science teachers should ensure strict adherence

to laboratory rules and regulations. It is also in line with Nwanna, Baja and Obioha (2010) that science teachers

should ensure that safety rules and regulations in science laboratories are observed by students. On the other

hand, it is contrary with the findings of Ibiam, Ibrahim and Idoko (2008) that there are poor laboratory safety

at high extent with avoiding playing, wearing of high heeled shoes, dangling jewelry and sitting on lab benches

in Biology, Chemistry and Physics laboratories. Avoiding running and eating in the laboratory is at very high

The extent of compliance of laboratory users in secondary school science laboratories Abakaliki Education is at

high extent.

The extent of compliance of laboratory users based on subject areas in secondary school science laboratories in

Abakaliki Education is at high extent.

Safety is very necessary in all human activities to safeguard lives and property. Therefore, laboratory safety

compliance are essential for the safety of both teachers and students during laboratory activities. Though, the

study showed high laboratory safety compliance, but not same with other schools in different areas. Since,

sponsored for in-service science laboratory safety training.

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