Safety

What are the responsibilities of science teachers regarding safety issues ?

Safety

Just to put it in perspective…….

“…..the number of laboratory accidents [is] vanishingly smallwhen compared to accidents arising from trips, slips and falls…….”

[Health & Safety Commission Representative 2006 since 2008 Health & Safety Executive]

Safety

Learning outcomes :

To know the meanings and implications of….

1. HASAWA

2. COSHH

4.CLEAPSS - Handbook & Hazcards

3. A Risk Assessment

5. Safe Laboratory Practice

Safety HASAWA

The Health And Safety At Work Act [1974]

A major intention…….. is to protect employees (ie. in sciencedepartments - teachers & technicians).

The health and safety of the public at large, including pupils andstudents, must also be ensured, as far as is reasonably practicable.

The main duties of the Act are placed on employers

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]

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations [1988]

The hazardous substances covered by these regulations include :

Toxic/Very toxic

Harmful/irritant

Corrosive Harmfulmicroorganism

Safety COSHH

And also since 1999…….

Ionisingradiation

Flammable High voltage

Safety COSHH+

Oxidising Explosive

Safety new GHS/CLP labels

Hazardous to the aquatic environment

Health hazard including carcinogens

Gas underpressure

GHS = Global harmonised system

CLP = Classification, Labelling & Packaging of Substances & Mixtures

In fact, anything with a warning symbol !

Now, all hazards whether they be chemicals, equipment orprocedures need to be covered by a Risk Assessment

[The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations - 1999]

Safety COSHH+

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 ?

Safety Help !

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 !

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 assessedand taken into account, insignificant risks can usually be ignored...’

[Management of Health & Safety at Work Approved Code of Practice and Guidance 13 (a).]

Safety Accidents

Most common school laboratory accidents (%)…

[Safeguards in the School Laboratory - ASE 2006]

Safety Don’t panic!

Just to put it in perspective, again…….

[HSE statistics 01/02]

Safety Safe Laboratory PracticeThe careful and consistent implementation of safe laboratorypractice 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]

Safety Summary

Learning outcomes :

Do I now know the meanings and implications of….?

1. HASAWA

2. COSHH

4.CLEAPSS - Handbook & Hazcards

3. A Risk Assessment

5. Safe Laboratory Practice

Safety References

Useful websites:

www.cleapss.org.uk/

http://www.ase.org.uk/

http://www.rsc.org/

http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/index.htm

Safety References

Available from CLEAPSS CD-ROM + see Moodle:

Managing Risk Assessment in Science - L196Health & Safety induction & training for science teachers - G238Student Safety GuidesSurely that’s bannedPS21 Health & Safety in the School Laboratory…..PS 22 Health & safety in primary science & technologyStudent Safety Sheets (updated 2011)SRAs = Supplementary Risk Assessments (eg Screaming Jelly Babies; The woosh bottle demo) E232 Common Safety Signs & Hazards SymbolsGuidance leaflets

Safety References

Health,safety and risk; Warren, Dorothy RSC 2001

Safeguards in the school laboratory 11thEd; ASE 2006

Safety