Student Area - Safety Guidelines for Experimentation, p. 2

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Safety Guidelines for Experimentation, continued

Safety is the watchword when exhibiting at all STEM Exhibitions. Without exception, the highest standards of safety are required. The following are safety measures of particular concern.

Production of Alcohol
Students who produce alcohol in connection with a STEM Exhibition project must obtain permission from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. A written request in duplicate must provide the following information in as much detail as possible:

  1. The purpose of the distilling equipment to be used.
  2. A description of the distilling equipment to be used.
  3. Where the distilling equipment and the alcohol produced will
    be used.
  4. Where the alcohol will be used if other than location listed in
    item 3.
  5. An estimate of the total amount of alcohol to be produced during the experiment.
  6. The dates that the experimentation will begin and end.
  7. Name of the adult who will assume responsibility for the project.
  8. Security measures to be used to assure that the alcohol produced will not be diverted for illegal purposes.

The written application must be signed and dated by the student and cosigned by the adult assuming responsibility for the project. Send the application to:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
650 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20226
http://www.atf.gov
Distilled Spirits and Tobacco Branch - (202) 927-8210
Firearms & Explosives Division (202) 927-8300

Drone Hazards
Drones may be used in a science project PROVIDED the use complies with all Federal, State and community rules,
regulations and ordinances. In addition, the use of a drone for a science project may not infringe on anyone’s privacy or air space.

Laser Hazards
Any laser used in an experimental or design project must be no greater than Class 2 (visible-light continuous wave lasers under 1 mW such as red laser pointers) without special registration from the State of Illinois (see below).  In general the lowest class laser possible should be used for a given project. The revised laser classification systemalong with associated hazards and safety precautions are reviewed at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety. Each experiment using lasers should clearly state the safety precautions taken. Under special circumstances, where the use of such a laser is absolutely critical to the success of a project, Class 3R lasers (also labeled as Class 3A for older lasers) may be used. These lasers require written documentationof registration from the State of Illinois and need to follow all applicable safety precautions required by the State
(http://www.illinois.gov/iema/NRS/RadSafety/Pages/Laser.aspx). The scientific justification for using a 3R / 3A laser must be explained, and incorporation of these extra safety precautions must be written into the experimental procedures. Among other practices, we require that 3A lasers use a protective housing or barricade which, when in place, prevents human access to the beam during operation. Under no circumstances may lasers above Class 3R /3A be used in any project.

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