An assessment on the safety measures for the prevention of laboratory accidents among secondary biology students: A case study at two selected schools, Mberengwa District, Midlands Province.

Author
Manyadzi, L
Title
An assessment on the safety measures for the prevention of laboratory accidents among secondary biology students: A case study at two selected schools, Mberengwa District, Midlands Province.
Abstract
Laboratories are potential dangerous work environment often containing a wide variety of toxic,
flammable, corrosive or reactive compounds. Practical work cannot be avoided, despite the fact
that accidents happen in secondary schools. There has been reports of laboratory accidents and
persistence decline in implementing safety practices since the adoption of Heritage based Education 5.0 Model by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. This ugly trend has been of great concern to the government, educators, and the society. The purpose of the study was to have an assessment on the safety measures for the prevention of laboratory accidents among secondary biology students. Two High Schools, Masase and Vubwe in Mberengwa District were used as the case study. The researcher randomly selected 44 respondents. A sample size of 40 students and teachers was used. The qualitative and quantitative data collected through questionnaires and interviews were presented and analyzed through SPSS. The objectives were to identify the common causes of laboratory accidents, evaluate the effectiveness of existing safety measures in preventing laboratory accidents and lastly to suggest new safety measures that could be implemented to improve laboratory safety for secondary biology students. The researcher found out that safety measures/practices is poor and is not
encouraging during practical. The researcher recommended that the Government should provide funds to equip scanty laboratories building for practicals that accommodate both students and their teachers and also employ trained laboratory assistance for each and every school so as to assist teachers during practicals.
Date
2024
Publisher
BUSE
Keywords
laboratory accidents
secondary biology students
Supervisor
Mr Munakandafa
Item sets
Department of Science and Mathematical Foundations
Media
Leonard Manyadzi

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