Emilia Hawkins
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their application
A: Understand the importance of health and safety in scientific organisations.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a science-lead global healthcare company with an aim to improve the
quality of human life by providing high-quality healthcare products to as many people as possible. It
was founded in 1715 with the opening of an apothecary shop in London which has now developed
into a global company with around 100,000 employees. The objective is to prevent and treat disease
and to keep people healthy by using scientific knowledge and practices. GSK has established
medicines in respiratory, HIV immune-inflammation and oncology. They are the world’s largest
vaccines company by revenue, that are used to help protect people from a wide range of infectious
diseases. The company also has a leading position in in genetics and new drug discovery
technologies. GSK considers the management of Health and Safety as an important part on their
objectives and management priorities.
https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
Potential hazards and safety measures
Companies are legally required to ensure that there are safe working conditions and have safe
procedures. The law states that:
- The employer is responsible for the health and safety of the workforce, including staff and
contractors. The health and safety of any guests and general public who may come into
contact with the workplace, its products and the local environment, is also the responsibility
of the employer.
- The employers are also responsible for their own health and safety and their colleagues.
GSK handles a range biohazards and chemicals that are used in the research and development as
well as the manufacturing process of medicines. Some of these chemicals are corrosive acids and
salts, toxic, poisonous and flammable. The biggest dangers are exposure to these chemicals and
manually handling them due to the possibility of accidentally getting the chemicals on your skin or in
your eyes.
UK bribery act (2010)
This regulation has six principles to prevent bribery which can be defined as giving someone a
financial or other advantage to encourage that person to perform their functions or activities
improperly or to reward that person for having already done so. Those principles are proportionality,
top-level commitment, risk assessment, due diligence, communication and monitoring and review.
o Proportionality – The actions taken should be proportionate to the risks you face and the
size of the business.
o Top-level commitment – Those who are at the uppermost point of an organisation have the
most influence to ensure there is no bribery within the business.
o Risk assessment – The risks of bribery within the company.
, Emilia Hawkins
o Due diligence – Being aware of who is being given information about business deals related
to the business.
o Communication – Speak to workers to try to deter bribery.
o Monitoring and review – The risks that are faced and the effectiveness of the procedures
may change over time.
https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/legislation/bribery-act-2010-quick-start-guide.pdf
Control of substances hazardous to health regulations (COSHH)
This regulation requires the employer or company to control any substances that may be hazardous
to health to ensure that the health of the workers isn’t damaged.
The employer should do this by:
o Finding out what the potential health hazards are and choosing how to prevent them
o Putting measures in place to reduce any potential harm to health
o Giving employees instructions on how to prevent any potential harm to health
o Monitoring the health of the employees
Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR)
This regulation requires employers to keep records of any work-related accidents which cause death,
serious injury or diagnosis of long term illness.
The employer should do this by:
o Reporting any incidents to ensure risks are addressed
Control of major accident hazards (COMAH)
This regulation prevents the effect of major accidents that involve dangerous substances which have
the potential to cause serious harm to people or the environment.
The employer should do this by:
o Having a safety report and plans in case of an emergency
o Correctly storing any chemicals that have the potential to cause harm
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
This regulation was put in place to protect workers from health and safety risks. This is to reduce the
risk of injury from breathing in dust, floating particles or corrosive liquids getting into people’s eyes,
skin contact with dangerous chemicals or excessive noise.
The employer should do this by:
o Completing a risk assessment and deciding what the potential hazards are
o Providing workers with PPE to reduce the risk of injury
o Maintain, store and use the PPE correctly
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their application
A: Understand the importance of health and safety in scientific organisations.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a science-lead global healthcare company with an aim to improve the
quality of human life by providing high-quality healthcare products to as many people as possible. It
was founded in 1715 with the opening of an apothecary shop in London which has now developed
into a global company with around 100,000 employees. The objective is to prevent and treat disease
and to keep people healthy by using scientific knowledge and practices. GSK has established
medicines in respiratory, HIV immune-inflammation and oncology. They are the world’s largest
vaccines company by revenue, that are used to help protect people from a wide range of infectious
diseases. The company also has a leading position in in genetics and new drug discovery
technologies. GSK considers the management of Health and Safety as an important part on their
objectives and management priorities.
https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
Potential hazards and safety measures
Companies are legally required to ensure that there are safe working conditions and have safe
procedures. The law states that:
- The employer is responsible for the health and safety of the workforce, including staff and
contractors. The health and safety of any guests and general public who may come into
contact with the workplace, its products and the local environment, is also the responsibility
of the employer.
- The employers are also responsible for their own health and safety and their colleagues.
GSK handles a range biohazards and chemicals that are used in the research and development as
well as the manufacturing process of medicines. Some of these chemicals are corrosive acids and
salts, toxic, poisonous and flammable. The biggest dangers are exposure to these chemicals and
manually handling them due to the possibility of accidentally getting the chemicals on your skin or in
your eyes.
UK bribery act (2010)
This regulation has six principles to prevent bribery which can be defined as giving someone a
financial or other advantage to encourage that person to perform their functions or activities
improperly or to reward that person for having already done so. Those principles are proportionality,
top-level commitment, risk assessment, due diligence, communication and monitoring and review.
o Proportionality – The actions taken should be proportionate to the risks you face and the
size of the business.
o Top-level commitment – Those who are at the uppermost point of an organisation have the
most influence to ensure there is no bribery within the business.
o Risk assessment – The risks of bribery within the company.
, Emilia Hawkins
o Due diligence – Being aware of who is being given information about business deals related
to the business.
o Communication – Speak to workers to try to deter bribery.
o Monitoring and review – The risks that are faced and the effectiveness of the procedures
may change over time.
https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/legislation/bribery-act-2010-quick-start-guide.pdf
Control of substances hazardous to health regulations (COSHH)
This regulation requires the employer or company to control any substances that may be hazardous
to health to ensure that the health of the workers isn’t damaged.
The employer should do this by:
o Finding out what the potential health hazards are and choosing how to prevent them
o Putting measures in place to reduce any potential harm to health
o Giving employees instructions on how to prevent any potential harm to health
o Monitoring the health of the employees
Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR)
This regulation requires employers to keep records of any work-related accidents which cause death,
serious injury or diagnosis of long term illness.
The employer should do this by:
o Reporting any incidents to ensure risks are addressed
Control of major accident hazards (COMAH)
This regulation prevents the effect of major accidents that involve dangerous substances which have
the potential to cause serious harm to people or the environment.
The employer should do this by:
o Having a safety report and plans in case of an emergency
o Correctly storing any chemicals that have the potential to cause harm
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
This regulation was put in place to protect workers from health and safety risks. This is to reduce the
risk of injury from breathing in dust, floating particles or corrosive liquids getting into people’s eyes,
skin contact with dangerous chemicals or excessive noise.
The employer should do this by:
o Completing a risk assessment and deciding what the potential hazards are
o Providing workers with PPE to reduce the risk of injury
o Maintain, store and use the PPE correctly
