ASSESSMENT OF ACCIDENT AND SAFETY PRACTICES OBSERVED DURING CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL CLASSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

This study examined assessment of accident and safety practices observed during chemistry practical classes in secondary schools in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of 2,096 SS2 chemistry students from nineteen public secondary schools in Awka South Local Government Area. Five research questions guided the study. The sample size of the study consisted of one hundred (100) chemistry students drawn from five public secondary school chemistry laboratories in Awka south local government area. The sample was drawn from the population using simple random sampling technique (balloting with replacement). The instrument used for data collection was named Chemistry Practical Class Accident and Safety Questionnaire (CPCASQ) adapted from Sugut (2020) Laboratory Hazard Questionnaire (LHQ). The instrument has five sections A, B, C, D and E in line with purpose of study and was validated by three experts with reliability values of 0.96, 0.98, 0.91, 0.95, 0.98 for the five sections of CPCASQ. Mean ratings was used to answer the research questions one, two, three and five while percentages was used in answering research question four using a modified Likert type four-point rating scale with numerical values of 4,3,2,1. The decision rule was that values from 2.50 indicated  agreement while values below 2.50 indicated disagreement while percentages from 50% and above indicated agreement while below 50% indicated disagreement. The results revealed among others that students were fully aware of the laboratory safety practices observed during chemistry practical classes and there are areas that are being neglected which are important to safety of students and others in the laboratory. From the findings, recommendations and conclusion were made.