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Write a risk assessment for school scient experiment

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Use a written, experiment-specific risk assessment for every school science activity. The assessment should identify the task, substances/equipment, who may be harmed, the hazards present, the likelihood and severity of harm, and the controls required before the activity starts. A PPE hazard assessment should include the jobs or tasks being done, the hazards, where they are located, the likelihood of injury, the severity of potential injury, and the PPE needed. For laboratory work, risk assessment should be completed before work begins by identifying the chemicals, amounts, and circumstances of use, then evaluating toxic, physical, reactive, flammable, explosive, radiation, biological, and other hazards. [3] [7]

A practical school science experiment risk assessment template:

Experiment title, class/year group, date, location, teacher/technician, and persons at risk (students, staff, visitors, SEND pupils, pregnant staff/students where relevant)
Learning objective and brief method
Hazard identification: chemicals, glassware/sharps, flames/heat, electricity, pressure/vacuum, biological materials, fumes/dust, slips/trips, manual handling, allergies, and behavior-related risks
Risk evaluation: record likelihood and severity, then assign an overall risk rating before controls
Control measures using the hierarchy of controls: eliminate/substitute where possible, then engineering controls, administrative/work-practice controls, and PPE as the last layer
Required PPE for staff and students, including any task-specific differences
COSHH review for hazardous substances: product name, concentration, quantity, exposure routes, SDS checked, storage, handling, spill response, disposal, and first-aid measures
Supervision requirements: minimum competent adult supervision, class size considerations, restrictions on student participation, and whether only staff should perform higher-risk steps
Emergency procedures: spill, splash, burn, cut, inhalation exposure, fire, evacuation, eyewash, first aid, and emergency contact arrangements
Residual risk after controls, approval/sign-off, communication to staff/students, and review date

[7] [14] For hazard identification in schools, review the full activity, not just the chemical. Consider the process, scale, equipment, and student capability. A baseline survey or task review should identify what the hazards are, where they are, and how severe a potential injury could be. Safety data sheets should be used to identify chemical hazards and safe handling practices, and equipment manuals should be checked for manufacturer warnings and recommended PPE. In school laboratories, even substances of low known hazard should be handled to minimize exposure, and unknown mixtures should be treated cautiously. [5] [5] [7]

Risk evaluation should be simple, consistent, and documented. For school use, a practical method is to score severity and likelihood, then classify the activity as low, medium, or high risk. High-risk activities include those involving corrosives, flammables, toxic vapors, pressure, open flames, significant heating, sharps, or any step where loss of control could cause multiple injuries. Higher-risk experiments require additional review, tighter controls, and often teacher-only handling for the hazardous step. Scale-up should be avoided unless specifically reassessed, because increasing quantities can significantly increase risk. [3] [7]

Control measures should follow the hierarchy of controls:

Eliminate: remove the hazardous step entirely if the learning objective can be met another way
Substitute: use lower concentrations, smaller quantities, safer indicators/solvents, lower voltages, or teacher demonstration instead of student handling
Engineering controls: fume cupboard/local exhaust for fumes, splash screens, guards, heat-proof mats, secure gas/electrical isolation, and suitable storage
Administrative/work-practice controls: written method, pre-lab briefing, restricted access, labeling, seating plans, behavior rules, no eating/drinking, handwashing, and clear cleanup/disposal instructions
PPE: safety glasses/goggles, lab coat/apron, suitable gloves, face shield for splash risk, and closed footwear where needed

[7] [4] [8] PPE in school laboratories must be selected to match the actual hazard, fit the wearer, be maintained, and be enforced. As a minimum for most laboratory work, safety glasses with side shields are appropriate; chemical splash goggles are more suitable where there is a splash risk, pressure work, explosive potential, or vigorous reactions. Gloves must be chosen for the specific chemical and task, not used generically. Lab coats or aprons should be used where there is a risk of hazardous chemical contamination or splashes. Closed, sturdy footwear with slip-resistant soles is advisable in laboratories, especially where spills or dropped objects are possible. [7] [7] [11] [6]

Typical PPE selection guide for school science:

General bench chemistry: safety glasses with side shields, lab coat, closed shoes; gloves only when handling hazardous substances
Splash/corrosive work: chemical splash goggles, lab coat or apron, suitable chemical-resistant gloves; face shield for higher splash potential
Heating/open flame: eye protection, lab coat, tied-back hair, heat-resistant gloves only when needed for hot apparatus handling
Glass cutting or higher breakage risk: eye protection and suitable hand protection for setup/cleanup by staff
Dusts or powders: eye protection and controls to minimize airborne dust; respiratory protection should not be routine for pupils and requires a formal program if needed
Noise-generating equipment: assess exposure and provide hearing protection if levels are excessive

[16] [12] [13] [10] For COSHH-style control of substances hazardous to health in schools, check the SDS before use, identify routes of exposure such as inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, and ingestion, and record the concentration and quantity used. Use the smallest practicable amount, avoid unnecessary aerosols or heating of hazardous substances, ensure correct labeling and secure storage, and specify spill cleanup and disposal arrangements. Gloves should be selected according to the SDS and task, and staff and students should be instructed in safe handling and hygiene measures such as washing hands after practical work. [5] [15] [7]

Supervision requirements in schools should be based on the age and competence of students, the complexity of the procedure, and the residual risk after controls. Higher-risk steps such as dispensing concentrated chemicals, igniting flammable substances, pressure-generating reactions, or handling hazardous biological materials should normally be carried out by the teacher or technician only. Students should receive a pre-practical briefing covering hazards, controls, PPE, prohibited behaviors, and emergency actions. Only authorized or competent persons should carry out restricted tasks, and supervisors should actively enforce PPE and safe systems of work. [9] [4] [4]

Emergency procedures should be written into the assessment before the experiment starts. Staff and students should know what to do for spills, splashes, burns, cuts, inhalation exposure, fire, and evacuation. Emergency telephone numbers should be prominently posted, and everyone should know the location of safety equipment, the nearest fire alarm, and the telephone. The assessment should specify first-aid arrangements, eyewash access, spill kit availability, isolation of gas/electricity where relevant, and criteria for stopping the experiment immediately. [7] [7]

For compliance and recordkeeping in a school laboratory, document the hazard assessment, the selected controls, and the PPE decision. The record should identify the workplace or laboratory, the assessor, and the date. PPE must be selected for the hazard, communicated to affected persons, fit properly, and be required when exposure exists. Training, supervision, inspection, maintenance, and replacement of damaged PPE should also be part of the school laboratory safety system. In practice, schools should align this with their local education authority policies, school health and safety policy, COSHH arrangements, and laboratory procedures. [14] [14] [4]

Example short-form school science risk assessment template:

Activity/experiment and objective
Location, date, class/group, assessor, reviewer
Persons at risk
Chemicals/equipment involved and quantities
Hazards identified
Initial risk rating: likelihood x severity
Existing controls
Additional controls required
PPE required
COSHH/SDS checked: yes/no, key precautions
Supervision level required
Emergency procedures and first aid
Waste disposal and decontamination
Residual risk rating
Approval/sign-off and review date

[1] [3] [14] A good school laboratory standard is: no practical activity starts until the teacher has checked the hazards, confirmed controls, verified PPE, ensured suitable supervision, and confirmed emergency readiness. For unusual, higher-risk, or poorly understood experiments, seek review by a competent science lead or safety adviser before proceeding. [2] [5]

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[1] PPE Hazard Assessment Certification Form

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