Unit 2: Working in the Science Industry
Assignment 2
P3
From conducting a 3-dimensional birds’ eye (plan view) view of a chemistry laboratory at Neath College, with
labels. It can give an overview of what is present in the laboratory and where things are present, as well as
identifying the safety hazards and risks. It wasn’t possible to draw a cross sectional view of the laboaotary;
therefore, a plan view was the next best option. As it’s a college it is limited to the number of laboratories, so it
was decided to use the main chemistry laboratory to make a design as it was the only efficient example to use.
When drawing my plan, it was essential to show the layout of key safety features and services present. A few
examples of things which can be found within a chemistry laboratory are as follows;
Sinks which can be found on the work benches or on the worktops on the side of the room, the main
sink has an eye washer (for emergencies) and paper towels (general use and spills.)
Four Fume hoods present on the left side of the room.
Spill kits found on the worktops adjacent to the entrance to technicians’ room.
On top of the work benches are gas switches and electrical sockets for use when using scientific
apparatus.
Beneath the work benches in cupboards are numerous drawers for various equipment e.g. Beakers,
volumetric flasks, bench reagents, Bunsen burners, heatproof mats, tests tubes etc.
A fire extinguisher and fire bucket placed around the room in case of a fire.
Entrances to store rooms, where spare equipment and chemicals might be held.
Lockers, for storage of student’s personnel belongings.
Not everything on the plan was labelled as there was no need to. For example, not all glassware was labelled
because the drawers and cupboards which they are placed in when stored were clearly labelled instead.
Concequently, there are some positive and negative aspects to this laboratory. To begin with, the laboratory is
quite spacious which is ideal when carrying out experiments as it means less accidents are likely to occur.
However, it is dedicated for 14-16 scientists (students) at any given time for it to be a nice working
environment. This isn’t ideal when needed to conduct an experiment amongst a larger number as this can
increase the risks of an accident occurring through overcrowding. There should be four people to a work bench
at any time, so they all have an equal workspace therefore there should be four chairs situated behind each
work bench. Next, there is around 30 lockers placed on the side of the room, this is essential in a laboratory as
belongings can be safely placed there as well as preventing the risk of tripping hazards over bags and coats and
other items which are not necessary in the laboratory. Most of the large furniture is fixed e.g. work benches,
fume hoods as they have water, gas and electrical outlets services fitted into them, if they did move it would
be a major safety hazard. The work benches have clear surfaces which can withstand the majority of
substances which may be used upon them. As the laboratory is an old design there are some issues regarding
it such as; water pressure from the sinks are rather high meaning water often splashes everywhere, and onto
the floors which can lead to a slipping hazard if not cleaned up quickly. Also, as the sinks pipes are metal and
are old they are starting to corrode, this is causing blockages within the drainage system which can ultimately
have an impact on the laboratories function as the sinks wont be able to be used, this could be prevented by
having new pipes fitted and existing ones removed, however this would be very expensive to do so. In the
laboratory the floor is wood, which isn’t ideal as substances which have been dropped or spilled e.g. mercury
can seep through the floorboards, this can be prevented by laying down a non-porous surface like tiles or
concrete whereby nothing can seep through and any spillages or droppages can be cleaned and picked up
thoroughly.
, M3
Science in education is often deemed as a practical subject, which for most of the time is taught in theory
form. Laboratories in education are important this is because effective teaching of science involves handling,
seeing, objects and material. If most of the science was taught in a classroom it would be more ineffectual as
students won’t be observing and understanding action and reaction. For students to be taught efficiently it is
vital that they are taught and carry out various kinds of experiments and practicals. However, for them to be
taught and carried out scientific apparatus and equipment needs to be used. All apparatus and equipment are
usually arranged in a systematic way in a location known as a laboratory. A scientific laboratory is central to
instructions which are scientific and creates good components of education. Colleges like Neath college tend
to combine classroom teaching with scientific experiments to ensure that students get to grasp with every
concept as thoroughly as possible. Statistics have shown that students are able to retain knowledge for longer
when practicals are performed in front of their eyes. Also, when students carry out experiments, they can
draw conclusions from their work which can ultimately lead them to develop a good scientific attitude within
themselves.
The good things about laboratories in education is that scientific apparatus’ and chemical substances can be
kept and stored in safe and secure conditions, without chemicals and apparatus’s it isn’t possible for
experiments to be carried out in any way. In colleges and places of education where laboratories are efficiently
arranged and well-equipped, students tend to be more encouraged to participate in experiments as the set-up
of the laboratory creates a congenial kind of atmosphere, which promotes the student’s interest in practical
work. Due to the expenses of apparatus’ and chemicals there is often a shortage of facilities in places of
education, this however does have a positive aspect that being it allows all students to carry out experiments
in a collective manner, and improves functions such as team work and students begin to be more appreciative
of work done and ideas by others, this influences students to become more successful in their future life.
A specialist laboratory is a laboratory which is specialised within its function. Work which is
carried out here will influence what type of equipment is used there. Specialist labs will only
have equipment which is relevant to the work which they carry out. Most specialist
laboratories tend to have several large pieces of apparatus, along with smaller pieces and
numerous computers. The storage in these laboratories tend to vary, some may have special
facilities for stuff like toxic material and radioactive material. The importance of these
specialist laboratories is that there are majorly focused on their role. There are numerous
specialist laboratories like; Medical, chemical, food, forensic, pharmaceutical. For example,
medical laboratories run tests which hospitals don’t, the reason for this is typically the volume of testing is not
sufficient enough for a hospital to buy the expensive equipment or reagents. So, if a person needed to be
tested for a rare disorder, the hospital or clinic would usually send their sample to a medical lab which runs
numerous various tests for every hospital and clinic within the country. These laboratories are usually much
more controlled, as some have equipment which ensures temperature and humidity is controlled so that the
lab stays at a desired temperature.
Non-Specialist Laboratories
This is different to that of a specialist laboratory, a non-specialist laboratory is made to be used for various
purposes and doesn’t essentially focus on one thing. A range of things can be done here. A prime example of a
non-specialist laboratory would be a science laboratory within Neath College, particularly the biology and
chemistry labs which are used for teaching.
The typical non-specialist laboratory will tend to be structured in a suitable way. So, the walls, floor, ceiling,
and furniture would all be generally unreactive with the experiments and substances used and carried out. The
structure is also designed a specific way to allow easy circulation of air and people. A non-specialist lab
typically consists of fixed benches, with a clear, clean, flat surface which should be chemical and heat proof. It
also has movable furniture, which helps the lab to adapt to a more specific function e.g. benches, stools. It also
tends to have sinks, fume cupboards, storage, drawers, etc. The storage area typically tends to have the
presence of essential safety equipment e.g. fire blanket, fire extinguisher, sand
Assignment 2
P3
From conducting a 3-dimensional birds’ eye (plan view) view of a chemistry laboratory at Neath College, with
labels. It can give an overview of what is present in the laboratory and where things are present, as well as
identifying the safety hazards and risks. It wasn’t possible to draw a cross sectional view of the laboaotary;
therefore, a plan view was the next best option. As it’s a college it is limited to the number of laboratories, so it
was decided to use the main chemistry laboratory to make a design as it was the only efficient example to use.
When drawing my plan, it was essential to show the layout of key safety features and services present. A few
examples of things which can be found within a chemistry laboratory are as follows;
Sinks which can be found on the work benches or on the worktops on the side of the room, the main
sink has an eye washer (for emergencies) and paper towels (general use and spills.)
Four Fume hoods present on the left side of the room.
Spill kits found on the worktops adjacent to the entrance to technicians’ room.
On top of the work benches are gas switches and electrical sockets for use when using scientific
apparatus.
Beneath the work benches in cupboards are numerous drawers for various equipment e.g. Beakers,
volumetric flasks, bench reagents, Bunsen burners, heatproof mats, tests tubes etc.
A fire extinguisher and fire bucket placed around the room in case of a fire.
Entrances to store rooms, where spare equipment and chemicals might be held.
Lockers, for storage of student’s personnel belongings.
Not everything on the plan was labelled as there was no need to. For example, not all glassware was labelled
because the drawers and cupboards which they are placed in when stored were clearly labelled instead.
Concequently, there are some positive and negative aspects to this laboratory. To begin with, the laboratory is
quite spacious which is ideal when carrying out experiments as it means less accidents are likely to occur.
However, it is dedicated for 14-16 scientists (students) at any given time for it to be a nice working
environment. This isn’t ideal when needed to conduct an experiment amongst a larger number as this can
increase the risks of an accident occurring through overcrowding. There should be four people to a work bench
at any time, so they all have an equal workspace therefore there should be four chairs situated behind each
work bench. Next, there is around 30 lockers placed on the side of the room, this is essential in a laboratory as
belongings can be safely placed there as well as preventing the risk of tripping hazards over bags and coats and
other items which are not necessary in the laboratory. Most of the large furniture is fixed e.g. work benches,
fume hoods as they have water, gas and electrical outlets services fitted into them, if they did move it would
be a major safety hazard. The work benches have clear surfaces which can withstand the majority of
substances which may be used upon them. As the laboratory is an old design there are some issues regarding
it such as; water pressure from the sinks are rather high meaning water often splashes everywhere, and onto
the floors which can lead to a slipping hazard if not cleaned up quickly. Also, as the sinks pipes are metal and
are old they are starting to corrode, this is causing blockages within the drainage system which can ultimately
have an impact on the laboratories function as the sinks wont be able to be used, this could be prevented by
having new pipes fitted and existing ones removed, however this would be very expensive to do so. In the
laboratory the floor is wood, which isn’t ideal as substances which have been dropped or spilled e.g. mercury
can seep through the floorboards, this can be prevented by laying down a non-porous surface like tiles or
concrete whereby nothing can seep through and any spillages or droppages can be cleaned and picked up
thoroughly.
, M3
Science in education is often deemed as a practical subject, which for most of the time is taught in theory
form. Laboratories in education are important this is because effective teaching of science involves handling,
seeing, objects and material. If most of the science was taught in a classroom it would be more ineffectual as
students won’t be observing and understanding action and reaction. For students to be taught efficiently it is
vital that they are taught and carry out various kinds of experiments and practicals. However, for them to be
taught and carried out scientific apparatus and equipment needs to be used. All apparatus and equipment are
usually arranged in a systematic way in a location known as a laboratory. A scientific laboratory is central to
instructions which are scientific and creates good components of education. Colleges like Neath college tend
to combine classroom teaching with scientific experiments to ensure that students get to grasp with every
concept as thoroughly as possible. Statistics have shown that students are able to retain knowledge for longer
when practicals are performed in front of their eyes. Also, when students carry out experiments, they can
draw conclusions from their work which can ultimately lead them to develop a good scientific attitude within
themselves.
The good things about laboratories in education is that scientific apparatus’ and chemical substances can be
kept and stored in safe and secure conditions, without chemicals and apparatus’s it isn’t possible for
experiments to be carried out in any way. In colleges and places of education where laboratories are efficiently
arranged and well-equipped, students tend to be more encouraged to participate in experiments as the set-up
of the laboratory creates a congenial kind of atmosphere, which promotes the student’s interest in practical
work. Due to the expenses of apparatus’ and chemicals there is often a shortage of facilities in places of
education, this however does have a positive aspect that being it allows all students to carry out experiments
in a collective manner, and improves functions such as team work and students begin to be more appreciative
of work done and ideas by others, this influences students to become more successful in their future life.
A specialist laboratory is a laboratory which is specialised within its function. Work which is
carried out here will influence what type of equipment is used there. Specialist labs will only
have equipment which is relevant to the work which they carry out. Most specialist
laboratories tend to have several large pieces of apparatus, along with smaller pieces and
numerous computers. The storage in these laboratories tend to vary, some may have special
facilities for stuff like toxic material and radioactive material. The importance of these
specialist laboratories is that there are majorly focused on their role. There are numerous
specialist laboratories like; Medical, chemical, food, forensic, pharmaceutical. For example,
medical laboratories run tests which hospitals don’t, the reason for this is typically the volume of testing is not
sufficient enough for a hospital to buy the expensive equipment or reagents. So, if a person needed to be
tested for a rare disorder, the hospital or clinic would usually send their sample to a medical lab which runs
numerous various tests for every hospital and clinic within the country. These laboratories are usually much
more controlled, as some have equipment which ensures temperature and humidity is controlled so that the
lab stays at a desired temperature.
Non-Specialist Laboratories
This is different to that of a specialist laboratory, a non-specialist laboratory is made to be used for various
purposes and doesn’t essentially focus on one thing. A range of things can be done here. A prime example of a
non-specialist laboratory would be a science laboratory within Neath College, particularly the biology and
chemistry labs which are used for teaching.
The typical non-specialist laboratory will tend to be structured in a suitable way. So, the walls, floor, ceiling,
and furniture would all be generally unreactive with the experiments and substances used and carried out. The
structure is also designed a specific way to allow easy circulation of air and people. A non-specialist lab
typically consists of fixed benches, with a clear, clean, flat surface which should be chemical and heat proof. It
also has movable furniture, which helps the lab to adapt to a more specific function e.g. benches, stools. It also
tends to have sinks, fume cupboards, storage, drawers, etc. The storage area typically tends to have the
presence of essential safety equipment e.g. fire blanket, fire extinguisher, sand
