1. BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
Unit 2
Working in the Science Industry
Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Risk Assessment

2. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Lesson Aim:
To be able to assess hazards and risks encountered in the scientific workplace.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to :
Define risk and hazard
Understand and carry out a risk assessment
Find chemical safety information such as hazcards and data sheets

3. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Risk
A risk is a situation involving exposure to danger
Hazard
A hazard is a potential source of danger
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is the process of evaluating risks to
safety and health from hazards. It considers:
what could cause injury or harm
whether the hazards could be eliminated and, if not,
what preventive or protective measures are, or should be,
in place to control the risks.

4. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Identifying Hazards
A hazard is anything that can cause harm to you. In a laboratory this may mean:
Chemical hazard
Fire hazard
Electrical hazard
Gas hazard
Biological hazard

5. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Identifying Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards are identified in the laboratory through use of labelling. Chemicals are supplied in containers which have detailed labelling, complying with the European CPL chemical labelling system
Signal word -
DANGER - relating to
the most serious
hazard. In this
example, the hazard
statements show that
it refers to the Health
hazards symbol.
Hazard statements
Precautionary statements
Hazard symbols

6. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Identifying Chemical Hazards
classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP regulation).
GHS02 (Flammable)
GHS07 (Moderate hazard)
GHS06 (Acutely toxic)
GHS04 (Gas under pressure)
GHS05 (Corrosive)
The labels allow us to
risk assess use and
store safely

7. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Identifying Chemical Hazards
classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP regulation).
GHS08 (Health hazards
including carcinogens)
GHS01 (Explosive)
The GHS system is a globally harmonised hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and
easily understandable symbols
GHS09 (Hazardous to the
aquatic environment)
GHS03 (Oxidising)

8. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Identifying Chemical Hazards
Old CHIP system labels
All new products will have the CLP labelling but older stock will still have CHIP labels above

9. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Carrying out a Risk Assessment
There are 5 steps to a risk assessment:
Step 1 Identify the hazards
Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how
Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Step 4 Record your findings and implement them
Step 5 Review your assessment and update if necessary

10. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Carrying out a Risk Assessment
Risks are also categorised into high, medium and low to be able to highlight the most potentially risky practices. To calculate this the LIKELIHOOD of an accident happening is multiplied by the SEVERITY e.g.
Likelihood of Accident Occurring X
Likely Severity of Accident =
Resultant Risk 1
Improbable
Trivial 2
Possible
Minor 3
Occasional
3 day injury 4
Frequent
Major 5
Regular
Major (several people) 6
Certain
Death
Overall Risk potential: High.(15-36) Medium (7-14) Low (1-6)

11. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
COSHH - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Employers have to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 to prevent ill health. There regulations require employers to risk assess anything that is hazardous to health:
substances that are hazardous to health include:
chemicals
products containing chemicals
fumes
dusts
vapours
mists
nanotechnology
gases and asphyxiating gases and
biological agents (germs).

12. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
COSHH- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
COSHH requires employers to:
assess the risks to health from chemicals and other hazardous materials and decide what controls are needed
use those controls and make sure workers use them
make sure the controls are working properly
inform workers about the risks to their health
train workers.
Information on COSHH is freely available from the website
or on the Health and Safety Executive
Website

13. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Sources of Information
There are several main sources of information on hazardous substances.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
CLEAPSS Hazcards
3. Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
There is a wide variety of information available on the HSE website at
These sheets detail the nature of the chemical, hazards, storage, handling
and emergency procedures .They are sent out with every chemical.
These are designed for schools to give information about hazards in school
science. There are slightly shorter student versions. These can be
downloaded for free at
Publications

14. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Quiz
What is the meaning of the following hazard symbols?
2. Draw the hazard symbols for oxidising agent, explosive and
gas under pressure
3. Name the 5 steps involved in a risk assessment
4. Name 3 substances which have to be assessed for COSHH?

15. Safe Working Practices in the Laboratory
Lesson Aim:
To be able to assess hazards and risks encountered in the scientific workplace.
You now will be able to :
Define risk and hazard
Understand and carry out a risk assessment
Find sources of chemical safety information such as hazcards and data sheets