EXTENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY PRACTICES IN BIOLOGY LABORATORY AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ONDO STATE

The study investigates the extent of implementation of safety practices in Biology Laboratory among Senior Secondary School Students in Ondo State. Descriptive research design was employed in the study. The population consists of all biology teachers and students in secondary schools in Ondo State. A total number of two hundred (200) respondents including biology students and teachers were drawn from four (4) secondary schools by simple random technique. The study was guided by four research questions. The data collected were analyzed using, frequency count, simple percentage and mean. The findings of the study revealed that 75.3% of the respondents affirmed that measurement of spacing in the laboratory, using signs and label in the laboratory, ventilation to prevents air toxic and rooms for storage of chemicals should be in place to avoid mixture of chemicals and following the appropriate measures and designs of biology laboratory preserves lives and properties. Also, 73.1% confirmed that students own and put on their lab coat and footwear during practical, fire extinguisher and first aid box are the emergency equipment available in the laboratory in case of any accident which is not enough but, they also constantly clean the laboratory area to avoid natural hazard. More so, 67.3% of the respondents confirmed that teachers and laboratory assistants are always available during practical and always ensuring that precautions are taken cognizance of. Lastly, 57.8% confirmed that student consciously comply to laboratory instruction written on chemicals and substances during practical in the laboratory and do not handle any chemical without wearing and hand gloves. It was concluded that spacing in the laboratory, using signs and label in the laboratory, ventilation to prevents air toxic and rooms for storage of chemicals are part of the designs of a laboratory. Also, lab coat and footwear during practical, fire extinguisher and first aid box and cleaning the laboratory area should not be the only equipment in the laboratory. Lastly, student consciously comply with laboratory instructions by wearing their lab coat and foot wear, they follow instruction written on chemicals and substances during practical in the laboratory and not handle any chemical without wearing and hand gloves. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made: students should ensure to follow every instruction given concerning the safety uses of the laboratory, teachers should endeavor to consistently available during practical classes so as to ensure the continuous safety of the students, teachers should continue to encourage the school management to make provision for emergency equipment in the school laboratory. Government should empower Biology teachers by organizing training programs for efficiency in discharging their duties in the laboratory and also ensure the provision of adequate laboratory facilities including emergency equipment for teaching of biology in secondary schools.