Chemical, Fire, Heat, and Radiation Safety
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Why Are These Rules Necessary?
Many science and engineering projects involve chemicals, heat, flames, lasers, ultraviolet (UV) light, or other forms of energy. When used properly these materials and equipment can be handled safely. However, they can also cause burns, fires, poisoning, eye injuries, radiation exposure, or other serious harm if used incorrectly. Professional scientists receive specialized safety training before working with hazardous materials and equipment. These rules help students conduct research safely while learning the laboratory practices expected in schools, universities, and research facilities.
Does This Project Involve These Hazards?
These rules apply if a student project involves:
- chemicals or chemical reactions;
- acids, bases, solvents, cleaning products, or laboratory reagents;
- fuels or combustible materials;
- heating or burning materials;
- open flames or hot equipment;
- lasers, ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared light, microwaves, or other non-ionizing radiation sources;
- any procedure that could create a chemical, fire, heat, or radiation hazard.
Before Beginning a Project, Students Must:
- Read these IJAS Chemical, Fire, Heat, and Radiation Safety with their Teacher/Sponsor.
- High school students must also read and follow all applicable ISEF Safety Rules.
- Discuss proper use of AI in research in their research project.
- Write the procedure for the experiment following all IJAS and ISEF (high school) safety rules. High School Students will use this in their ISEF Research Plan form 1A.
- Complete a Background Research document. High School students will use this in their ISEF Research Plan form 1A.
- Learn how to safely use all chemicals and equipment involved in the project.
- Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), manufacturer’s instructions, or another reliable scientific reference for every chemical used.
- Understand the hazards associated with all materials and equipment that will be used.
- Plan how chemicals and waste will be safely stored and disposed.
- Complete the required safety sheet and any required endorsement forms.
- Keep all completed approval forms and safety documentation with the project records and have it on the table with the project display at the science exposition.
General Safety Requirements for Chemical, Fire, Heat, and Radiation Safety
These rules apply to all projects involving chemical, fire, heat, or radiation hazards. Students must:
- wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses whenever there is potential of eye injury;
- work only under a qualified adult’s supervision required for the hazards involved;
- keep work areas clean and organized;
- know the location and proper use of emergency equipment, including eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and first aid supplies; and
- immediately report spills, injuries, equipment malfunctions, or unsafe conditions to the supervising adult.
Students may not:
- use explosive materials or explosive chemicals or intentionally create explosions;
- use known carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, or chemicals used as illegal drug precursors
- obtain, possess, manufacture, or use prescription medications, controlled substances, illegal drugs, nicotine products, or cannabis products (including THC, CBD, and CBG);
- intentionally produce, distill, concentrate, or purify hazardous chemical products;
- use x-rays or radioactive materials;
- conduct experiments that create unnecessary chemical, fire, heat, or radiation hazards.
Note: Projects involving fermentation with baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) are covered under the Use of Biological Materials section. Any alcohol produced during permitted fermentation studies must remain incidental to the investigation and may not be distilled, concentrated, purified, or consumed.
Chemical Safety
When working with chemicals students must:
- use chemicals only for their intended purpose and according to instructions;
- clearly label all chemical containers;
- never mix chemicals unless the procedure specifically requires it and store incompatible chemicals separately;
- avoid inhaling vapors or allowing chemicals to contact skin or eyes;
- dispose of chemicals according to school, laboratory, or local regulations; and
- conduct experiments involving hazardous fumes or vapors in a laboratory fume hood or another appropriately ventilated area.
Fire Safety
When working with combustible materials or open flames, students must:
- keep flammable materials away from ignition sources;
- conduct burning procedures in a laboratory fume hood or another well-ventilated area that safely exhausts smoke and combustion products;
- use open flames only when necessary and under appropriate adult supervision;
- never leave an open flame unattended;
- secure loose clothing and tie back long hair;
- know how to extinguish fires safely; and
- have appropriate fire safety equipment readily available before beginning the experiment.
Heat Safety
When working with hot equipment or heated materials, students must:
- use heat-resistant gloves or appropriate tools when handling hot objects;
- assume heated equipment remains hot until it has cooled completely;
- place hot equipment on heat-resistant surfaces;
- avoid rapid temperature changes that could cause glassware to break; and
- allow equipment to cool before storing or cleaning it.
Radiation and Light Source Safety
Projects involving lasers, ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared radiation, microwaves, or other non-ionizing radiation sources must be conducted safely and under appropriate adult supervision.
Students must:
- Projects involving X-rays or radioactive materials are not permitted.
- Only commercially manufactured Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3R lasers may be used. High-powered Class 3B and Class 4 lasers are not permitted.
- Use radiation-producing equipment only when appropriate for the project and under qualified adult supervision;
- Follow all manufacturer instructions and institutional safety requirements;
- Use appropriate shielding, barriers, or enclosures when required;
- Never look directly into a laser beam or aim a laser at any person or reflective surface;
- Wear protective eyewear appropriate for the wavelength of the laser or UV source whenever there is a risk of eye exposure;
- Wear clothing that protects exposed skin when working with ultraviolet (UV) light; and
- Never intentionally expose themselves or others to lasers, ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared radiation, or other radiation sources.
Storage and Disposal
Students must safely store and dispose of all chemicals and hazardous materials.
- Store chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions or the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- Keep incompatible chemicals separated.
- Clearly label all containers.
- Dispose of chemicals according to school procedures and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- Never pour hazardous chemicals down a sink or place them in regular trash unless specifically permitted by the school or laboratory.
Special Rules for Work Done at a Certified Laboratory
If research is conducted at a certified laboratory or research facility, high school students must complete the Regulated Institution form-2C . Middle school students must include a letter from the laboratory director or supervising scientist along with the safety sheet and any appropriate endorsement form. The letter must verify that:
- the research was conducted under appropriate adult supervision;
- the student followed all required laboratory safety procedures;
- the laboratory is certified or otherwise authorized to conduct the research;
- the supervising scientist’s name, title, and contact information are provided; and
- the work described in the project was completed at that facility.
- approval from the institution’s IRB and/or SRC