RISK ASSESSMENT
School
Activity
Assessment completed by:
Name:
Hazard
Inadequate
assessment of risk
Date:
Persons
Exposed and
How
Staff
Pupils
Current Controls


CLEAPSS Risk Assessments followed and
adapted in light of local conditions
Incorporated into materials normally used in
teaching – schemes of work, lesson plan,
worksheets etc. recording outcomes
Hazcards are available for staff and the
guidance on them used
Hazard Data Sheets are available
Copy of the DfES publication ‘Safety in Science
Labs’ available
Group size appropriate to the design and size
of the room, take account of the nature of the
task, the equipment, the age, ability, aptitude
and special education needs of pupils
Adequate student supervision

Staff trained in the safe use of equipment,

Injury



Supervision / class
sizes
Pupil

Minor, major
injury
Competency of
Staff
Review Date:
Science
Signature:
Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by When
Completed
Reference should be
made to DENI
Circular 2016/11
(2013/07 and
2004/05 Class sizes in
practical subjects in
post primary schools
Page 1
Hazard
staff and pupils
Persons
Exposed and
How
Pupils
Injury
Defective flooring
Spillages
Items stored in
walkways
Staff
Pupils
Slips
Trips
Falls
Unauthorised use
of laboratory
Staff
Pupils
Use of Equipment
/ tools
Exposure to
hazardous
materials
Staff
Pupils
Current Controls
machinery and materials and have undertaken
relevant CLEAPSS courses where necessary
 Health and safety practice forms part of all
curriculum work
 Laboratory rules for conduct clearly visible and
explained to pupils
 Condition of rooms regularly checked
 Flooring non-slip and in a safe condition

Prompt reporting of defects

Good housekeeping maintained
 Designated storage areas
 Immediate cleaning up of spillages
 Doors and gangways unobstructed
 No accumulation of rubbish / combustible
waste

Laboratory and prep rooms locked when
unoccupied

Vacuum, pressure equipment, autoclaves
tested annually
Identify and record servicing / maintenance
requirements and any training / instruction
needs
Specify any personal protective equipment
users must wear

Cuts
Electric shock

Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by When
Completed
Refer to HSE elearning slips and
trips guidance
package
www.hse.gov.uk/slip
s/step/index.htm
Page 2
Hazard
Glassware
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls

Equipment / tools allocated under supervision
checked in after use and stored tidily

Visual inspection pre-use
Staff
Pupils


Cuts

Controlled storage and allocation of glassware
Supervision appropriate to the level of student
ability
Breakages cleared up promptly by staff
member
Only lab grade glassware used for experiments
Only teacher to insert or remove glass from
bungs, cut glass or release seized stoppers
Broken glassware disposed to a separate bin
marked “Broken Glassware”. No bin liner in
bin
Glassware checked for cracks, chips,
weaknesses before use. Broken or chipped
glassware taken out of service and disposed of
immediately




Storage
Staff
Pupils
Fire
Burns
Manual handling
injuries

Gloves worn when cleaning glassware

Equipment and substances stored
appropriately
Heavy items stored at the appropriate level
Flammable liquids (kept to a minimum and
must not exceed 50 litres)
All highly flammable substances should be
stored in suitably labelled, lockable metal
storage bin or cupboard designed for the



Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by When
Completed
Page 3
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls




Electricity
Staff
Pupils


Electric shock



Storing / handling
substances
including Paints,
inks, varnishes etc
Staff
Pupils


Toxic, cause
allergic reactions,
be irritants or
react with other

Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by When
Completed
purpose
Rags, waste or similar materials should not be
allowed to accumulate or be stored near
naked flames, very hot objects or immediately
against electrical equipment
Storage tidy with adequate racking
Refrigerator kept solely for laboratory supplies
Cylinders chained / on trolley and remote from
access doors
Electrical equipment subject to regular safety
inspection and test ('PAT testing')
Mains powered portable equipment protected
by RCD to distribution board, wall socket or
lead (RCD’s checked monthly and log kept)
Isolators for all circuits in readily accessible
positions and local isolators fitted to each fixed
machine
Sufficient outlets to support the range of
equipment normally used with resorting to
regular use of multi-socket adaptors
Staff visually check electric sockets/plugs etc.
before use.
Inventory of chemicals used within the
department in place
Annual inspection and stock check of all
chemicals carried out
Any known hazards from substances and
appropriate controls must be communicated
to people who may be exposed to any risk,
Page 4
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls
substances








Use of radioactive
sources
Staff
Pupils
Radiation




Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by When
Completed
including teaching, cleaning staff and pupils
Approved protective clothing and eye
protection worn as recommended
Goggles and safety screens available
Approved protective clothing and eye
protection worn as recommended. Checked
periodically and replaced if necessary.
All hazardous materials stored appropriately
(locked and signed).
Bottles >1 L stored at low level. Individual drip
trays in place / drip tray +10% of largest
container
< 50L of highly flammables stored within
workrooms
Chemicals disposed of appropriately
Spillage kits easily accessible and are staff
aware of where they are kept
RPS (Radiation Protection
Supervisor)appointed
Radioactive sources stored appropriately
Records of their use maintained
Sources checked regularly to ensure there is
no leakage
Inhalation of
fumes
Staff
Pupils

Fume cupboards checked and serviced
regularly (14 months max)
Gas supplies and
gas burning
Poisoning
Staff
Pupils

All mains gas supplies to equipment controlled
in each work area by a clearly marked
Page 5
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls
appliances
Poisoning
Explosion
First Aid
Cleaning
Staff
Pupils
Delay in receiving
first aid leads to
more serious
injury
Staff
Burns
Inhalation of
fumes
Cuts

emergency master valve
Gas supply isolated when not in use

Fixed supply tested annually
Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by When
Completed
 Bench gas taps inspected periodically to ensure
they are secure
 At least one first aid kit in the department of a
secondary school
 Staff have basic knowledge of first aid
 Contents regularly checked
 Suitable eyewash facilities available (eyewash
bottles min 300ml total of 900ml or sterile
tube / mains water supply)
 Appropriate cleaning methods communicated
to cleaning staff
 Cleaning staff trained to recognise and respect
safety warnings and be aware of the possible
spills of hazardous chemicals, micro-organisms
and broken glass
 All cleaning agents containing hazardous
substances adequately stored
 Storage cupboards are kept locked and
labelled
 Gloves and eye protection worn as required
 Use of cleaning agents in aerosol cans avoided
Page 6