Organisation of routines during and between lessons

5.6Where to find information.

a) see individual HOD and science technician

i. Health and Safety Policy' It contains amongst other information a list of safety circulars.

b) 'CLEAPSS. Laboratory Handbook (blue file). This is centrally stored in the Chemistry office.

c) Hazcards - listing chemical hazards. The full set is centrally stored in the Chem. room. There is a safety book for staff use in the Chemistry office.

Regular safety checks:

b) Chemicals kept in storage are inspected annually for signs of deterioration and container corrosion.

c) Maintenance of fire fighting equipment. Annual inspections maintain our full range of fire fighting equipment.

d) Provision/cleaning of Laboratory coats, visors, safety screens. These are cleaned as necessary by the Technician or Chemistry staff.

3. Student teachers and new teaching staff are given advice that includes safety procedures. All staff are trained on the use of new equipment that they are unsure about.

4. Our system of storage is based around:

i. flammable chemicals are stored in a special storage cupboard.

ii. our usual non-flammable chemicals are stored in a special Chemical Store primarily in an alphabetical arrangement. We have few hazardous chemicals (e.g. oxidising) and most are stored in relatively small quantities. The alphabetical system is convenient and poses very little risk. Acids and alkalis are stored on the floor of the Chemical Store.

5. Labelling on chemical bottles - chemical bottles are clearly labelled with the name of the chemical and any necessary hazard symbols.

6. Storage and maintenance of gas cylinders. We have the following gas cylinders:

i. Mercury spillage

8. Provision and replacement of eye wash bottles - each laboratory is provided with an eye wash bottle. After use the water refill should be disposed of and a new replacement.

9. The nominated first aider at the School is Matron and the school caretaker.

a) Always inform the Head of Department, the Laboratory Technician, and Chemistry colleagues. Also inform the Head teacher, Safety Representative, the Bursar and the Caretaker as appropriate. Once the Head of Department has been informed it will be his/her responsibility to make appropriate decisions, e.g.

i. Immediately taking the relevant piece of equipment out of service.

ii. Organising a replacement item of equipment.

N.B. in the following section the term 'staff' refers to both teachers and technicians. On receipt of a safety document the contents are analysed and categorised by the Head of department under one of three headings:

ii. Medium/long term action required - the document is circulated to all Chemistry staff and then filed. The Practical Requirement sheets and related Risk Assessments are then altered as appropriate.

iii. No action required - if the contents confirm what we already practice then the document will still be discussed at the next department meeting. The document will be filed.

Safety policy - use of laboratories by non - scientists
1. Students are not to enter a laboratory until a member of staff has arrived.

2. Good advice on the supervision of students in Chemistry departments states that:

3. Staff must ensure that students do not interfere with equipment/ apparatus or chemicals of any kind.

4. The gas supplies to each laboratory are switched off by Chemistry staff at the end of the day. Therefore staff using a laboratory should make themselves familiar with the location and mode of operation of the following facilities:

a) the ‘Mains electricity switch’

b) the ‘Mains gas isolating valve’

The location of the ‘Mains electricity switch’ to each laboratory is indicated by a white box.

The location of the ‘Mains gas isolating valve’ is indicated by a yellow handle- as shown below:

5. No eating, drinking or chewing is to take place in a laboratory. Staff should try and dissuade students from touching their mouths and eyes with their fingers, pens, pencils etc.