Chemical reactivity is a major area of risk in high school laboratories. This paper reports on a study that has provided a research-based framework for risk management in Australian chemical education. The chemical practice model of risk management is considered with respect to kinetic factors; catalysts; concentrations and proportions; temperature; induction period factors; runaway reactions; pressure; exothermic reactions and explosions; agitation problems; adiabatic systems; thermal stability; and problems concerning chemical structures. The model includes a policy consideration of issues related to dusts and fibers in laboratories. Contains 30 references. (Author)