Lab safety standards have definitely evolved since this was made (which was around 1999). Now, all our students are required to wear lab coats, proper footwear, and gloves when handling corrosives. If you want to see what I mean about evolving standards, check out the TV science guru of my generation, Mr. Wizard, showing a kid how to make an ammonium dichromate volcano using a structure made of asbestos paper, both of which are now considered serious health hazards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqhsPhAK4Bo