CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIONINSTITUTIONAL AREA, ROUSE AVENUE, NEW DELHI-110002<strong>CBSE</strong>/CM/ 2008 Dated: 11.11.2008Circular No. 51/08All Heads of InstitutionsAffiliated <strong>to</strong> the BoardSubject: Safety in School Science Lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>riesDear Principal,Science lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries are essential and critical component in Science education. All students studyScience as a compuls<strong>or</strong>y subject up<strong>to</strong> grade X and a significant percentage of them continue studyingPhysics, Chemistry, Biology, BioTechnology, Home Science etc. at seni<strong>or</strong> secondary level. This requiresconduct of regular practical w<strong>or</strong>k and use of variety of equipment, instruments, gadgets, materials,chemicals, glassware etc. It is of utmost imp<strong>or</strong>tance that in <strong>or</strong>der <strong>to</strong> ensure safety of studentsw<strong>or</strong>king in Science lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries, every essential precaution is taken well in advance.It is not uncommon <strong>to</strong> observe that in many cases, the essential safety measures are either not givenmuch attention <strong>or</strong> are ign<strong>or</strong>ed al<strong>to</strong>gether. Gas fittings in chemistry lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry often do not fulfil themanda<strong>to</strong>ry standards and requirements. Chemical are, in many cases, not s<strong>to</strong>red in safe manner andkept under safe cus<strong>to</strong>dy. It is also observed that exhaust fans are sometimes not provided in chemistrylab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry. Manda<strong>to</strong>ry items such as lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry coats, goggles and gloves are not used while doingexperimental w<strong>or</strong>k. Electrical fittings are at times done with sub-standard materials and components.Lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries are not located with easy and open exits. Fire extinguishers are not installed at desiredlocations. First aid facilities are inadequate <strong>or</strong> missing. Medical facilities are also found wanting onmany occasions. All such negligent actions may result in dangerous and unf<strong>or</strong>tunate incidents andneed <strong>to</strong> be attended <strong>to</strong> urgently.In <strong>or</strong>der <strong>to</strong> ensure safety of students in Science Lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries, there is an urgent need <strong>to</strong> look in<strong>to</strong> itsdifferent aspects and make the following provisions:• Designing of all science lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries acc<strong>or</strong>ding <strong>to</strong> necessary n<strong>or</strong>ms and standards.• Two wide do<strong>or</strong>s f<strong>or</strong> unobstructed exits from the lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry.• Adequate number of fire extinguishers near science lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries.• Periodical checking of vulnerable points in the lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries in relation <strong>to</strong> possibility of anymishappening.• Ensuring gas fittings in Chemistry lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry fulfilling desired n<strong>or</strong>ms and standards.• Periodical checking of electrical fittings/ insulations f<strong>or</strong> replacement and repairs.• Timely and repeated instructions <strong>to</strong> students f<strong>or</strong> careful handling of chemicals and equipmentsin the lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry.• Display of do's and dont's in the lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ry at prominent places.• Safe and secure s<strong>to</strong>rage of all chemicals.• Proper labelling and upkeep of chemicals.• Proper safety and protection provisions such as fume hood, goggles and gloves while doingpractical w<strong>or</strong>k.• Careful supervision of students while doing practical w<strong>or</strong>k.• Advance precautionary arrangements <strong>to</strong> meet any emergency situations.• Conduct of any additional experimental w<strong>or</strong>k only under supervision and with due advancepermission.123
• Availability of First Aid and basic medical facilities in the school.• Proper location of the lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries.The tragic fire incident in a school at Kumbakonam in 2004 is still afresh in which nearly 100 childrenlost their precious lives. The Board had issued a detailed Circular no. 28/2004 dated 26th July, 2004asking schools <strong>to</strong> take all safety measures f<strong>or</strong> meeting adverse situations and ensuring safe cus<strong>to</strong>dyof children in the school. It is reiterated that all necessary safety measures may be taken and theabove guidelines may be discussed in detail with the teachers as well as students f<strong>or</strong> greater awarenessand sensitization on safety matters.The Board may depute an expert team <strong>to</strong> visit your school <strong>to</strong> find out whether all safety provisions inScience lab<strong>or</strong>a<strong>to</strong>ries have been made.With best regardsYours faithfully,(VINEET JOSHI)CHAIRMANCopy with a request <strong>to</strong> respective Heads of Direc<strong>to</strong>rates/KVS/NVS/CTSA as indicated below <strong>to</strong> alsodisseminate the inf<strong>or</strong>mation <strong>to</strong> all concerned schools under their jurisdiction:1. The Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, 18-Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet SinghMarg, New Delhi-110 016.2. The Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, A-28, Kailash Colony, New Delhi.3. The Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Education, Direc<strong>to</strong>rate of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Old Secretariat,Delhi-110 054.4. The Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Public Instructions (Schools), Union Terri<strong>to</strong>ry Secretariat, Sec<strong>to</strong>r 9,Chandigarh-160 017.5. The Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Education, Govt. of Sikkim, Gang<strong>to</strong>k, Sikkim - 737 101.6. The Direc<strong>to</strong>r of School Education, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar-791 1117. The Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Education, Govt. of A&N Islands, P<strong>or</strong>t Blair-744 101.8. The Secretary, Central Tibetan School Administration, ESSESS Plaza, Community Centre,Sec<strong>to</strong>r 3, Rohini, Delhi-110 085.9. All the Regional Officers of <strong>CBSE</strong> with the request <strong>to</strong> send this circular <strong>to</strong> all the Heads of theaffiliated schools of the Board in their respective regions.10. The Education Officers/AEOs of the Academic Branch, <strong>CBSE</strong>.11. The Joint Secretary (IT) with the request <strong>to</strong> put this circular on the <strong>CBSE</strong> website.12. The Library and Inf<strong>or</strong>mation Officer, <strong>CBSE</strong>13. EO <strong>to</strong> Chairman, <strong>CBSE</strong>14. PA <strong>to</strong> CE, <strong>CBSE</strong>15. PA <strong>to</strong> Secretary, <strong>CBSE</strong>16. PA <strong>to</strong> Direc<strong>to</strong>r (Acad.)17. PA <strong>to</strong> HOD (AIEEE)18. PA <strong>to</strong> HOD (Edusat)19. PRO, <strong>CBSE</strong>CHAIRMAN124
- Page 2 and 3:
RevisedSchool Health Manual(Teacher
- Page 8 and 9:
PrefaceChildhood and the age of ado
- Page 10 and 11:
AcknowledgementsAdvisors:Sh. Vineet
- Page 12 and 13:
PREAMBLETHE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA1W
- Page 14 and 15:
About The Comprehen sive School Hea
- Page 16 and 17:
Physical Fitn ess Activitieswill he
- Page 20 and 21:
1 Knowin g Your Bod y3Fact SheetStu
- Page 22 and 23:
Knowing Your BodyTeacher should ask
- Page 24 and 25:
Knowing Your BodyAgeSTANDARD CHARTS
- Page 26 and 27:
Knowing Your BodyActivity: Physical
- Page 28 and 29:
Knowing Your BodySTUDENT WORKSHEETW
- Page 30 and 31:
Knowing Your BodyActivity - Body Im
- Page 32 and 33:
Knowing Your Body• Do you realize
- Page 36 and 37:
2 Food An d NutritionNutrition can
- Page 38 and 39:
Food and NutritionSTUDENT WORKSHEET
- Page 40 and 41:
Food and NutritionActivity - Mana g
- Page 42 and 43:
Food and NutritionSTUDENT WORKSHEET
- Page 44 and 45:
Food and NutritionKey message :Lear
- Page 46 and 47:
Food and NutritionSTUDENT WORKSHEET
- Page 48:
Personal,EnvironmentalHygiene andSa
- Page 51 and 52:
Personal, Environmental Hygiene and
- Page 53 and 54:
Personal, Environmental Hygiene and
- Page 55 and 56:
Personal, Environmental Hygiene and
- Page 57 and 58:
Personal, Environmental Hygiene and
- Page 59 and 60:
Personal, Environmental Hygiene and
- Page 61 and 62:
For SnakesPersonal, Environmental H
- Page 63 and 64:
Key Message :1. There are simple wa
- Page 65 and 66:
Key Message :Students should be awa
- Page 67 and 68:
Personal, Environmental Hygiene and
- Page 69 and 70:
EvaluationStudents will be evaluate
- Page 71:
Key Message :• Surveys on methods
- Page 75 and 76:
Physical FitnessValues of physical
- Page 77 and 78:
Physical FitnessSuggested activity
- Page 79 and 80:
Physical FitnessConclusion :Informa
- Page 81 and 82:
Physical FitnessActivity : Good Pos
- Page 83 and 84:
Physical FitnessBMI Categories:•
- Page 85 and 86:
Physical FitnessHow can we Manage W
- Page 87:
Physical Fitnessheavy manual diggin
- Page 91 and 92: Being Responsible And SafeActivity
- Page 93 and 94: Being Responsible And SafeIn Case o
- Page 95 and 96: Being Responsible And SafeFacts Abo
- Page 97 and 98: Being Responsible And SafeFirs t Ai
- Page 99: Being Responsible And Safe• Assor
- Page 103 and 104: Behaviour And Life SkillsActivity :
- Page 105 and 106: Behaviour And Life SkillsSTUDENT WO
- Page 107 and 108: Behaviour And Life Skills• Write
- Page 109 and 110: Behaviour And Life SkillsActivity :
- Page 111 and 112: Behaviour And Life SkillsActivity :
- Page 113 and 114: Behaviour And Life Skills• Now, g
- Page 115 and 116: Behaviour And Life SkillsBoth shoul
- Page 117 and 118: Behaviour And Life Skillsa valley,
- Page 119 and 120: You should not be concerned and unn
- Page 121 and 122: Q18 What really happens during this
- Page 123 and 124: Constitution of a Health Club• Pr
- Page 125 and 126: I - IV V-VIII IX-XIIModule 3Hygiene
- Page 127 and 128: CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIO
- Page 129 and 130: CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIO
- Page 131 and 132: Copy to :01 The Commissioner, Kendr
- Page 133 and 134: Health Manuals :The Comprehensive S
- Page 135 and 136: CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIO
- Page 137 and 138: CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIO
- Page 139: 05 The Director of Education, Govt.
- Page 143 and 144: 7. Efforts towards Water Management
- Page 145 and 146: CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIO
- Page 147 and 148: CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATIO
- Page 149 and 150: BESIC EMERGENCY CAREAppendix-2Cardi