[Student
Area|Teacher Area|Judge Area]
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:
- The purpose of the
distilling equipment to be used.
- A description of the
distilling equipment to be used.
- Where the distilling
equipment and the alcohol produced will
be used.
- Where the alcohol
will be used if other than location listed in
item 3.
- An estimate of the
total amount of alcohol to be produced during the experiment.
- The dates that the
experimentation will begin and end.
- Name of the adult
who will assume responsibility for the project.
- 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.
|