1. Safety What are the responsibilities of science teachers regarding
safety issues ?

2. Safety Just to put it in perspective…….
“…..the number of laboratory accidents [is] vanishingly small
when compared to accidents arising from trips, slips and
falls…….”
[Health & Safety Commission Representative 2006
since 2008 Health & Safety Executive]

3. Safety Learning outcomes : To know the meanings and implications of….
1. HASAWA
2. COSHH
3. A Risk Assessment
4.CLEAPSS - Handbook & Hazcards
5. Safe Laboratory Practice

4. Safety HASAWA The Health And Safety At Work Act [1974]
A major intention…….. is to protect employees (ie. in science
departments - teachers & technicians).
The health and safety of the public at large, including pupils and
students, must also be ensured, as far as is reasonably practicable.
The main duties of the Act are placed on employers

5. Safety HASAWA
HASAWA makes neglect of safety precautions a criminal offence.
However………
…………….only two science teachers have ever been
prosecuted since 1975.
[Safeguards in the School Laboratory - ASE 2006]

6. Safety COSHH The Control of Substances Hazardous
to Health Regulations [1988]
The hazardous substances covered by these regulations include :
Toxic/
Very toxic
Harmful/
irritant
Harmful
microorganism
Corrosive

7. Safety COSHH+ And also since 1999……. Ionising radiation High voltage
Flammable
Oxidising
Explosive

8. Safety new GHS/CLP labels
Hazardous to the
aquatic environment
Health hazard
including carcinogens
Gas under
pressure
New European system from Dec 2010 t0 2015
Manufacturers starting but not in schools yet.
GHS
= Global harmonised system
CLP
= Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Substances & Mixtures

9. Safety COSHH+ [The Management of Health & Safety at Work
In fact, anything with a warning symbol !
Now, all hazards whether they be chemicals, equipment or
procedures need to be covered by a Risk Assessment
[The Management of Health & Safety at Work
Regulations ]

10. Safety Risk Assessment
So what is a Risk Assessement and when do I need to do one?
If it involves any of the above or if in doubt…..
Yes you do.
Need to consider :
1. What is the operation ?
2. Who is doing it ?
3. What precautions must I take ?

11. Safety Help ! [Consortium of Local Education Authorities
So how do I find out what I need to know ?
• CLEAPSS Hazcards
• CLEAPSS Laboratory Handbook
[Consortium of Local Education Authorities
for the Provision of Science Services]
• Ask !

12. Safety Risk Assessment
But to put it in perspective……
‘The level of detail in a risk assessment should be
proportionate to the risk. Once the risks are assessed
and taken into account, insignificant risks can usually
be ignored...’
[Management of Health & Safety at Work
Approved Code of Practice and Guidance 13 (a).]

13. Safety Accidents Most common school laboratory accidents (%)…
[Safeguards in the School Laboratory - ASE 2006]

14. Safety Don’t panic! Just to put it in perspective, again…….
[HSE statistics 01/02]

15. Safety Safe Laboratory Practice
The careful and consistent implementation of safe laboratory
practice requires the following:
• Good class control
• Effective teacher understanding of risk assessment
• Well understood rules & practices of safe working
• Basic hygiene
• Laboratory tidiness
[Safeguards in the School Laboratory - ASE2006]

16. Safety Summary Learning outcomes :
Do I now know the meanings and implications of….?
1. HASAWA
2. COSHH
3. A Risk Assessment
4.CLEAPSS - Handbook & Hazcards
5. Safe Laboratory Practice

17. Safety References Useful websites: www.cleapss.org.uk/

18. Safety References Available from CLEAPSS CD-ROM + see Moodle:
Managing Risk Assessment in Science - L196
Health & Safety induction & training for science teachers - G238
Student Safety Guides
Surely that’s banned
PS21 Health & Safety in the School Laboratory…..
PS 22 Health & safety in primary science & technology
Student Safety Sheets (updated 2011)
SRAs = Supplementary Risk Assessments
(eg Screaming Jelly Babies; The woosh bottle demo)
E232 Common Safety Signs & Hazards Symbols
Guidance leaflets

19. Safety References Health,safety and risk; Warren, Dorothy RSC 2001
Safeguards in the school laboratory 11thEd; ASE 2006

20. Safety