1. Safety Regulations: 
   1. General Safety 
   2. Fire Safety and Exhibit Construction 
   3. Chemical Safety
   4. Electrical Safety
   5. Structural and Mechanical Safety
   6. Use of X-rays/Radiation
   7. Microorganisms/Bio-hazards 
2. Experiments Involving Animals

SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR SCIENCE FAIR DISPLAYS

General Safety   

1. It is essential that safety to the public be a prime consideration. Suitable precautions must be taken to prevent the possibility of personal injury, property damage, and the legal action that could result from a lack of concern for safety.   
2. Remove or otherwise protect all sharp edges or corners on prisms, mirrors, enclosures, and glass and metal plates.   
3. Compressed gas cylinders are not allowed.   
4. The length of hoses or extension cords is to be kept to a minimum and out of the way to eliminate tripping hazards. Use tape for securing.   
5. Aisles and exits should not be obstructed.   
6. Moving exhibits should be restricted to the regulation display space (e.g. radio-controlled vehicles, robots). The Host Committee must try to provide an exhibition area to safely demonstrate projects that require more space than the regulated exhibit display space. Contact JF Burka (566-0810) if this is required.

Fire Safety and Exhibit Construction   

Certain restrictions have been defined on the construction of displays to reduce the possibility of accidental fire during the fair, and in the event of fire to allow for safe evacuation of the building.   

1. The three-sided structure must be no higher than 350cm from the floor, 80cm deep and 120cm from side to side.  

2. Displays are to be constructed of materials that are unlikely to ignite and in the presence of fire will not allow the flame to spread readily. Recommended backboards include wood and wood products 1/4 inch thick or thicker and synthetic materials designed for display purposes which are listed as flame retardant. Teachers please note: Backboards constructed of corrugated cardboard, bristle board and other paper products are NOT acceptable. Many backboards for sale at office supply shops are foam-core, and are listed as very flammable - these are prohibited. Corrugated plastic is allowed at the PEI Science Fair, but is not permitted at the Canada Wide Science Fair. Display rules and regulations are issued each year with the CWSF registration packages - consult the current package for details.  

3. Panels can be decorated by paper that is applied with wallpaper paste, rubber cement, glue, tacks, pins, or staples so that minimal air pockets are left behind the paper. This includes lettering, experimental write-up sheets, borders, and backgrounds. Overlapping sheets of notes or graphs are to be stored in a data book, not stacked on the backboard. Panels can be painted with any common paint. 

4. The Host Committee will be responsible for ensuring that fire extinguishers of proper size and rating are available in the exhibition area. The Host Committee will establish an exhibit hall layout that minimizes long rows in order to reduce flame spread.   
5. Combustible material must not be used near a heat source.   
6. Open flames must not be used.   
7. Smoking is not permitted in the exhibit area.

Chemical Safety   

1. No containers of toxic or flammable chemicals are allowed.   
2. Dangerous chemicals are not allowed - this includes prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication.   
3. Use substitutes for toxic and corrosive chemicals. Common salt, for example, can be used to simulate chemicals such as ammonium nitrate. Use water instead of alcohol, ether, and other highly flammable liquids. Molasses can be used to represent petroleum products. When chemicals are simulated, they should be labelled with the names of the substance they represent preceded by the word "simulated." No project will be penalized because the key (but potentially dangerous) components were not on display.

Electrical Safety   

1. Use voltage as low as possible.   
2. Use a ground fault interrupter for electrical leaks and faults. The Host Committee will ensure that such units are installed on the main electrical control panel serving the entire exhibit area.   
3. Disconnect all electrical exhibits at the end of the day or the viewing period or switch off power bars.   
4. Use only extension cords in good repair and with CSA approval.   
5. Where practical and necessary, it is recommended that pilot lights be used to indicate that the voltage is on.   
6. Cord-connected electrical appliances should have a 3-wire conductor with ground or be CSA approved.   
7. An insulating grommet is required at the point where the service enters any enclosure.   
8. Electrical devices must be protectively enclosed as far as it is practical.   
9. Any enclosure must be non-combustible. All non-current carrying metal parts must be grounded.   
10. No exposed live parts over 36 volts are allowed. Current (amperage) must be low so as not to cause any discomfort or danger if touched.   
11. Wet cells shall not be used because of the hazardous chemicals involved.

Structural and Mechanical Safety   

1. Construction of exhibits must be of a safe design with adequate stability to keep from tipping.   
2. Dangerous moving parts such as belts, gears, pulleys and propeller blades must be suitably guarded.   
3. Pressurized vessels should have a safety valve.

Use of X-rays or Radiation-Producing Equipment   

If an exhibit uses x-ray equipment or any other equipment capable of emitting high energy radiation, registration of ownership with your provincial government is required. You must submit plans for structural protection to the provincial government and request approval, for which both the owner of the device and the owner of the building are responsible. You must identify an individual formally trained and qualified to exercise supervision of the operation and to take responsibility for safe performance. It will be an obligation of this individual to satisfy the Chief Inspector by exposure rate measurements or other suitable documentation that the operation is safe. Projects involving voltages about 10kV should be considered to pose a potential x-ray hazard.   

Lasers may not be operated during public viewing periods.   

Microorganism Safety and Bio-Hazards   

1. The following hazardous biological materials may NOT be displayed at the Science Fair.
   • Radio-isotopes or compounds containing radio-isotopes at activities above normal background.
   • Biological toxins.
   • Microorganisms. The use of mixed cultures obtained from the environment (e.g. soils, mouth swabs) are acceptable for experimentation, but not for display. They must be sterilized first. We will allow display of common molds at the provincial science fair, but would prefer if they were sterilized first.
   • Cells or tissues infected with animal viruses. 
2. No cultures are allowed for exhibition. Photographs or simulated cultures may be used.   
3. Experimentation involving hazardous materials must be carried out under controlled laboratory conditions and supervision. The name and qualifications of the supervisor should be specified.   
4. Experimental manipulations of recombinant DNA molecules or animal viruses are prohibited.   
5. No plant tissue, soil or decomposable material shall be exhibited at a Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF). New rule only applicable to projects going on to CWSF. Use photographs instead. It is acceptable to bring plants to the provincial fair. But it still is a good idea to take pictures during the course of the project.

REGULATIONS FOR ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION IN SCIENCE FAIR

Preface   

Regulations pertaining to projects involving animals and the display of those projects reflect different standards. While students' investigations of biological processes are to be encouraged, they are subject to the same laws, ethics, and regulations as any other research. In the Criminal Code of Canada, the Animals for Research Act of Ontario, and similar legislation in other provinces, all vertebrates are afforded protection. Also, schools and science fairs are explicitly included in the definition of "research facility" in Ontario. The regulations below are written in view of these laws.   

The display of a project is further restricted by the YSF in view of the need to maintain a positive public image towards science fairs. The restriction is due in part to a lack of essential expertise on the part of the student investigators and their immediate supervisors. There is also a desire to maximize the efficiency of animal use and to impress this on the students, especially regarding scientific merit.   

The regional science fairs should adhere to the following regulations and take steps to ensure that schools within their region are familiar with them and conform to them in school fairs. The regulations must certainly be adhered to for the CWSF, so it would be in the best interests of all concerned if all guidelines were followed faithfully from the outset.   

Regulations   

All research involving animals should be screened by a committee cognisant of current regulations in the student's province/territory. If such a committee is not readily available, or is unsure of certain aspects of an idea, please write or call the YSF. Your request will be passed on to an appropriate authority for guidance and suggestions. Some assistance may also be obtained directly from the Canadian Council on Animal Care:   

Canadian Council on Animal Care
151 Slater Street, Suite 1000
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3
Ph. (613) 238-4031

Dr. Andy Tasker, Chief Judge
Atlantic Veterinary College
University of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3
Ph. (902) 566-0662
e-mail: tasker@upei.ca

Dr. Sally Walshaw, Director, Animal Resources
Atlantic Veterinary College
University Of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3
Ph. (902) 566-0831
e-mail:swalshaw@upei.ca

Lower orders of life (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, plants and invertebrate animals) can be used in experimentation to reveal valuable basic biological information.   

N.B.* Vertebrate animals (birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians) are not to be used in any active experiments which may be deleterious to the health, comfort or physical integrity of the animals.   

This permits observation of wild animals, animals in zoological parks, farm animals and pets. Only animals acquired from biological supply houses may be used in "experiments." Animals from pet stores (or from one's own breeding program) cannot be used for these purposes.   

Observation of wild animals falls within the definition of hunting in some jurisdictions. Students should obtain advice and permission from conservation authorities to ensure that they are not interfering with the animals' life, and to ensure that their project is permissible. A permit may be required.   

Behavioural experiments with positive rewards are permissible only if the animal is not placed in a stress situation. Training an animal to travel through a maze to receive a food reward is stressful, particularly if the animal is hungry, and is therefore not permissible. However, allowing an animal to make a free choice (of food, for example) is permissible, so long as the animal is not stressed before being offered the choice (e.g. by withholding food).   

Studies of chick embryos are similarly restricted to observation, without intervention with drugs or other chemicals, or manipulation of physical condition to test the resiliency of the animal. If eggs are hatched, the chicks must be reared normally. Otherwise all embryos must be destroyed by freezing by the 18th day of incubation.   

Cells and animal parts (including organs, tissues, plasma or serum) purchased or acquired from biological supply houses or research facilities may be used in science fair projects. Evidence of the source of the materials (e.g. bill of sale) must be available at the display.   

The acquisition of animal parts should involve either the services of biological supply houses or research facilities, or involve salvage from sources where the animal has been killed for other legitimate purposes in a legal and humane manner. Salvage from found carcasses (e.g. road kills) is discouraged due to serious health risks.   

* If the acquisition involves salvage from a research project, then the disposition to the science fair project must be part of the original research proposal, and such disposition must have been approved by the Research Committee or the Animal Care Committee of the institution involved. Reference to the original project should be made on the science project display.   

* If the acquisition involves salvage from the food industry, then the source must be acknowledged.   

* If the acquisition involves hunting, fishing or trapping, then those activities must be done in accordance with prevailing regulations, and precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of the student(s). The taking of animals other than for food, without explicit approval, can constitute cruelty. Permits for research are available from conservation authorities.   

Display of Animals & Animal Parts   

Students working on biological projects may involve animals as outlined above. The display of the project is to be a report of completed work, and thus further restrictions are imposed. Also, science fair organizers should try to reduce the potential for adverse reaction from visitors and other exhibitors.   

Live microorganisms and vertebrate or non-vertebrate animals shall not be included in the display, although appropriate photographs may be available in the report.   

The only parts of vertebrate animals that may be displayed are those that are either naturally shed by an animal or parts properly prepared and preserved. Soft tissue specimens are not acceptable if they are preserved in formaldehyde, a dangerous chemical excluded under the chemical safety sections of these guidelines. Sealed tissue samples on microscope slides are permissible.   

Thus, porcupine quills (safely contained), shed snake skin, feathers, tanned pelts and hides, antlers, hair samples, skeletons and skeletal parts are permissible, while organ and tissue samples are not. However, photos, videos or slides of organ and tissue samples may be available for viewing upon request, but are not permitted to be obviously displayed.   

NO live animals, from bacteria on up to mammals, are to be displayed at the Science Fair.   

Research involving human beings must involve the principles of informed consent. No human tissues or fluids are to be used in a science fair project due to the associated ethics and possible health hazards.   

Biological experimentation is subject to legal restrictions including, among others:   

* Criminal Code of Canada, Section 446 Cruelty to Animals;   

* Health of Animals Act, Bill C-66;   

* Animals for Research Act (Ontario);   

* Regulations for Housing, Care and Treatment of Animals Used for Biological or Medical Purposes (Alberta); and,   

* Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.