H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
Assignment 4A: Understand the importance of health
and safety in scientific organisations
Introduction
The scientific organisations I chose for this assignment are The Compton School
Science Department (my own school that I attend) and HSL (Health Services
Laboratories).
The Compton School Science Department is a scientific working environment
that can be classed as a science laboratory in an educational setting and HSL is
another scientific working environment but can be classed as a scientific
organisation.
In this assignment, I will describe the activities of both these organisations and
relate them to specific legislations that are put in place. In addition to this, I will
outline the hazards involved within these two organisations and explain the
safety measures taken to improve the health and safety as a result of the
hazards involved. At the end of this assignment, I will evaluate these safety
measures taken for both scientific working environments, including the benefits
and constraints of these safety measures.
The Compton School Science Department
Introduction
The Compton School Science Department is located in London and is part of The
Compton School for ages 11-18. They are a comprehensive school that aim to
excel their students through dedication and respect. I have chosen this scientific
working environment as I was able to visit the science department at my school
and assess the environment as well as communicate with staff in the science
department.
Main activities
The science department at The Compton School are responsible for organising
practicals as well as supplying information to students regarding background
information on substances and hazards associated with the substances being
used. They deliver science education through practicals like titrations, enzyme
reactions, to students in Year 7 up to Year 13.
In addition to practicals, they also teach science lessons to students in Year 7-13
regarding the theory behind practicals like the factors that affect the rate of
enzyme activity. The practicals carried out by the science department at The
Compton follow specific legislations so that the health and safety at work is
ensured.
HSL (Health Services Laboratories)
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
Introduction
Health Services Laboratories are a London-based organisation that are in
partnership with The Doctors Laboratory, University College London Hospitals
and Royal Free London. They are a pathology and diagnostic provider that work
to develop healthcare in the UK. I have chosen this scientific working
environment as it is a well-established organisation with many partners involved.
Also, it will be beneficial to compare a scientific organisation with a science
laboratory in an educational setting (The Compton School Science Department).
Main activities
Health Services Laboratories provide a variety of services to many NHS trusts
including Royal Free London and University College London Hospitals. They have
a cervical screening service and they provide services for HPV testing. They
accept cervical screening samples and therefore are responsible for analysing
these samples and communicating the results to their patients. They also
perform a number of biochemistry tests on samples and so must perform these
tests up to a high standard to produce accurate qualitative results.
Hazards
A hazard is an object that could potentially hurt someone and hazards that are
present at The Compton School Science Department include:
- Hazardous substances that are handled like strong acids, radioactive material
could lead to fires starting, skin and eye irritation, etc
- Use of Bunsen Burners could result in a fire
- Liquids being used may lead to spillages in the lab
- Glassware could break which could cause cuts from the glass broken
- Wires from electrical equipment could cause trips and falls
- Electrical plugs being used could result in electrical shocks
- Gas taps can give off toxic gases
- Sharp equipment like a scalpel can cause cuts and/or injury
- Water baths used could cause burns to the skin if come into contact
- Clamp stands used could fall, causing injury to individuals
The safety measures used for these hazards range depending on the nature of
the hazard. For example, the safety measure for hazardous substances that are
handled in the lab at The Compton School Science Department involves wearing
specific PPE like safety goggles and protective gloves to prevent any skin
contact. Also, emergency first aid is available in the case of an emergency if the
skin does come into contact with hazardous substances. The safety measure for
the use of Bunsen Burners is to ensure the safety flame is on when used to
reduce the risk of a fire occurring. Moreover, in the case of an emergency, there
are fire blankets to use if a fire occurs. If liquids are being used in the lab, the
safety measure is to ensure that any spillages that may occur must be cleaned
up as soon as possible to reduce the risk of any injuries occurring as a result.
Glassware used in the lab must be handled with care and as a safety measure,
they must be kept away from the edge of surfaces to prevent them from falling
and breaking. If glassware breaks, it must be cleaned up using a dustpan so that
any broken glass from the glassware won’t cut someone. If electrical equipment
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
Assignment 4A: Understand the importance of health
and safety in scientific organisations
Introduction
The scientific organisations I chose for this assignment are The Compton School
Science Department (my own school that I attend) and HSL (Health Services
Laboratories).
The Compton School Science Department is a scientific working environment
that can be classed as a science laboratory in an educational setting and HSL is
another scientific working environment but can be classed as a scientific
organisation.
In this assignment, I will describe the activities of both these organisations and
relate them to specific legislations that are put in place. In addition to this, I will
outline the hazards involved within these two organisations and explain the
safety measures taken to improve the health and safety as a result of the
hazards involved. At the end of this assignment, I will evaluate these safety
measures taken for both scientific working environments, including the benefits
and constraints of these safety measures.
The Compton School Science Department
Introduction
The Compton School Science Department is located in London and is part of The
Compton School for ages 11-18. They are a comprehensive school that aim to
excel their students through dedication and respect. I have chosen this scientific
working environment as I was able to visit the science department at my school
and assess the environment as well as communicate with staff in the science
department.
Main activities
The science department at The Compton School are responsible for organising
practicals as well as supplying information to students regarding background
information on substances and hazards associated with the substances being
used. They deliver science education through practicals like titrations, enzyme
reactions, to students in Year 7 up to Year 13.
In addition to practicals, they also teach science lessons to students in Year 7-13
regarding the theory behind practicals like the factors that affect the rate of
enzyme activity. The practicals carried out by the science department at The
Compton follow specific legislations so that the health and safety at work is
ensured.
HSL (Health Services Laboratories)
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
Introduction
Health Services Laboratories are a London-based organisation that are in
partnership with The Doctors Laboratory, University College London Hospitals
and Royal Free London. They are a pathology and diagnostic provider that work
to develop healthcare in the UK. I have chosen this scientific working
environment as it is a well-established organisation with many partners involved.
Also, it will be beneficial to compare a scientific organisation with a science
laboratory in an educational setting (The Compton School Science Department).
Main activities
Health Services Laboratories provide a variety of services to many NHS trusts
including Royal Free London and University College London Hospitals. They have
a cervical screening service and they provide services for HPV testing. They
accept cervical screening samples and therefore are responsible for analysing
these samples and communicating the results to their patients. They also
perform a number of biochemistry tests on samples and so must perform these
tests up to a high standard to produce accurate qualitative results.
Hazards
A hazard is an object that could potentially hurt someone and hazards that are
present at The Compton School Science Department include:
- Hazardous substances that are handled like strong acids, radioactive material
could lead to fires starting, skin and eye irritation, etc
- Use of Bunsen Burners could result in a fire
- Liquids being used may lead to spillages in the lab
- Glassware could break which could cause cuts from the glass broken
- Wires from electrical equipment could cause trips and falls
- Electrical plugs being used could result in electrical shocks
- Gas taps can give off toxic gases
- Sharp equipment like a scalpel can cause cuts and/or injury
- Water baths used could cause burns to the skin if come into contact
- Clamp stands used could fall, causing injury to individuals
The safety measures used for these hazards range depending on the nature of
the hazard. For example, the safety measure for hazardous substances that are
handled in the lab at The Compton School Science Department involves wearing
specific PPE like safety goggles and protective gloves to prevent any skin
contact. Also, emergency first aid is available in the case of an emergency if the
skin does come into contact with hazardous substances. The safety measure for
the use of Bunsen Burners is to ensure the safety flame is on when used to
reduce the risk of a fire occurring. Moreover, in the case of an emergency, there
are fire blankets to use if a fire occurs. If liquids are being used in the lab, the
safety measure is to ensure that any spillages that may occur must be cleaned
up as soon as possible to reduce the risk of any injuries occurring as a result.
Glassware used in the lab must be handled with care and as a safety measure,
they must be kept away from the edge of surfaces to prevent them from falling
and breaking. If glassware breaks, it must be cleaned up using a dustpan so that
any broken glass from the glassware won’t cut someone. If electrical equipment
