Activity 002: SDS Reading and Emergency Response Drill¶
Activity ID: U2M2-ACT-002 Duration: 40 minutes Objective: Students will practice reading Safety Data Sheets for resin products and demonstrate correct emergency response procedures for common resin lab incidents. Group Size: 2-3 students per station Materials Cost: ~$0 (printed SDS documents, no consumables)
Overview¶
Students work through a structured SDS scavenger hunt to learn how to quickly find critical safety information, then participate in tabletop emergency response scenarios and a hands-on eyewash station drill. This activity ensures every student can respond correctly to resin-related incidents before they begin working with actual resin.
Materials & Equipment Needed¶
- Printed SDS documents for 2-3 different resin products (different manufacturers)
- Printed SDS for IPA (isopropyl alcohol)
- SDS scavenger hunt worksheet
- Emergency scenario cards (6 scenarios, printed and laminated)
- Eyewash station (functional, for live drill)
- Timer/stopwatch
- Paper towels (for eyewash drill cleanup)
Instructions & Procedure¶
Phase 1: SDS Scavenger Hunt (15 min) 1. Distribute SDS documents and scavenger hunt worksheets 2. Students must find and record the following information for each product: - Section 1: Product name, manufacturer, emergency phone number - Section 2: GHS hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard statements - Section 4: First aid measures for each exposure route (skin, eye, inhalation, ingestion) - Section 5: Fire-fighting measures — what type of extinguisher is required? - Section 7: Storage conditions — temperature range, light sensitivity - Section 8: PPE requirements — glove material, eye protection type, ventilation requirements - Section 11: Health effects — acute and chronic 3. Compare answers between the 2-3 different resin products: - Are the hazard classifications the same or different? - Do different brands require different PPE? - Which product has the most severe hazard profile? 4. Time challenge: after completing the scavenger hunt, students must find the eye contact first aid procedure within 15 seconds (simulating an emergency)
Phase 2: Tabletop Emergency Scenarios (15 min) 5. Each group draws 3 emergency scenario cards from the deck (6 total scenarios available): - Scenario A: Student gets resin on bare hands while removing a print without gloves - Scenario B: IPA container is knocked over, spilling 200mL on the workbench near the printer - Scenario C: Student notices a rash on their wrists 24 hours after a resin session - Scenario D: Resin splashes into a student's eye while pouring into the vat - Scenario E: Strong chemical smell detected — ventilation fan is not running - Scenario F: Small flame observed on a paper towel soaked in IPA near the printer 6. For each scenario, the group must: - Identify the hazard type - List the emergency response steps in order (from the SDS and training) - Identify what PPE should have been worn to prevent the incident - Specify what documentation is required after the incident 7. Groups present their responses; instructor validates and corrects as needed
Phase 3: Eyewash Station Drill (10 min) 8. Instructor demonstrates proper eyewash station operation: - Locate the station (must be within 10 seconds walking distance of resin work area) - Activate the flow (pull handle, push lever, or squeeze trigger — depends on model) - Position head with eyes open in the stream - Demonstrate holding eyelids open with fingers - Time: minimum 15 minutes of continuous flushing 9. Each student performs a 30-second eyewash drill (hands-on practice): - Walk from the resin workstation to the eyewash station (instructor times the walk — must be <10 seconds) - Activate the eyewash - Position correctly (students use water on closed eyelids for safety — no actual eye flushing) - Demonstrate calling for help while flushing ("Someone call the instructor!") 10. Instructor verifies each student can activate the eyewash within 3 seconds of reaching it
Discussion Points¶
- How quickly could you find the first aid section of the SDS in a real emergency? Is 15 seconds fast enough?
- Why does the SDS specify soap and water for skin decontamination but NOT IPA?
- In Scenario D (eye splash), why is the 15-minute flush time critical, not just a quick rinse?
- How would your response change if the incident occurred outside of class hours (no instructor present)?
Expected Outcomes¶
- Students should locate critical SDS information within 30 seconds per section
- Emergency response steps should be provided in correct sequence for all scenarios
- All students should activate the eyewash station within 3 seconds
- Students should demonstrate understanding that prevention (correct PPE) is superior to emergency response
Assessment Rubric¶
| Criterion | Excellent (5) | Proficient (3) | Needs Improvement (1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDS Navigation | Found all information in <20 sec per item; 15-sec challenge completed | Found most information; some delay on 15-sec challenge | Could not locate critical sections; failed time challenge |
| Scenario Response | Correct response order for all 3 scenarios with complete PPE prevention analysis | Mostly correct responses with minor sequence errors | Incorrect response order or missing critical steps |
| Eyewash Drill | Reached station in <10 sec, activated in <3 sec, correct positioning | Met time requirements but positioning needed correction | Failed time requirements or could not operate station |
| Overall Safety Awareness | Demonstrated deep understanding of why procedures matter | Understands procedures but not underlying reasoning | Followed procedures mechanically without understanding |
Safety Considerations¶
- This activity uses NO actual resin or hazardous chemicals — it is a drill and training exercise
- During eyewash drill, students flush water on CLOSED eyelids only (not into open eyes)
- Ensure the eyewash station water has been flushed (run for 30 seconds weekly) to prevent bacterial buildup in stagnant water
- Wet floor around eyewash station — place absorbent mat to prevent slipping
Last Updated: 2026-03-19