Access to Science Laboratories

Environmental Science and Geography create a few potential problems for science departments, in that aspects of the course (or even all of it) may be delivered by teachers who are not science specialists. 

Some concern has been expressed about the safety of letting such non-specialists work in Science labs. In reality, these issues are not insuperable.

What is the problem?

SSERC believes that most of the time, most laboratories in most schools would have to be considered as “danger areas” under Regulation 8 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992. This means that access must be restricted to those with adequate training.

This may sound difficult but in reality it is easily achieved. There are two basic situations here:

I.  The actual presence of non-science specialists in a laboratory – even if not teaching practical work.

The presence of non-specialists teaching in a laboratory.  Either not teaching science at all or teaching aspects of it that are non-practical.

There are no significant issues here. It is something that arises on a regular basis in the case of cover for absences. While it is better if a specialist in the subject (or a related one) is put in charge, this is not always possible.

If no practical work is to take place, the training in this case may amount to no more than insisting that certain simple rules and procedures are adhered to. For example:

• Pupils must not be allowed to interfere with gas taps, equipment, chemicals, etc.
• Pupils must not be left unsupervised in the laboratory.
• The teacher should know where the l cut-off switches are and how to use them (on the off-chance they are left on)
• Laboratories must be locked at the end of each lesson.

A similar situation would obtain for, say, a geographer taking an environmental science class in a laboratory.

II.   The teaching of practical science by someone without a science qualification.

Either in a science laboratory or elsewhere. Specifically in this context, the potential issue is practical work being under the supervision of a non-scientist.

This is simply a matter of risk assessment and some training, if required, which can easily be carried out inhouse.

In reality, the situation of getting a geographer to teach pupils about, for example, water analysis with some simple titrations is not really much more difficult than getting a physicist to do so. Or to get a chemist to work with microbiology or a biologist with electricity. BGE science inevitably means non-specialists teaching another science.

Prior to the course, or before each session, the department should go through the practical work that needs to be done and assess whether any training or support will be required for any of the teachers who are delivering it – as should be done in any department.

Measures should then be put in place to provide training such that the experiment could be carried out safely and effectively.

In the case of Environmental Science, there are few ifis any practical activities that are especially hazardous. If there does seem to be a risky experiment, it would be a good idea to contact SSERC to see if there is a safer alternative.

What the Law Says

There is nothing specific in any legislation but it is covered, albeit quite generally, by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 as well.

Regulation 13 covers Temporary Workers. This is not an exact fit but it can, in SSERC’s view, be relevant for lesson cover or for this situation where someone is temporarily working in a science lab.

It states the following.

1. Every employer shall, in entrusting tasks to his employees, take into account their capabilities as regards health and safety.

2. Every employer shall ensure that his employees are provided with adequate health and safety training:

(a) on their being recruited into the employer’s undertaking; and

(b) on their being exposed to new or increased risks because of –

(i) their being transferred or given a change of responsibilities within the employer’s undertaking,

(ii) the introduction of new work equipment into or a change respecting work equipment already in use within the employer’s undertaking,

(iii) the introduction of new technology into the employer’s undertaking, or

(iv) the introduction of a new system of work into or a change respecting a system of work already in use within the employer’s undertaking.

3. The training referred to in paragraph (2) shall –

(a) be repeated periodically where appropriate;

(b) be adapted to take account of any new or changed risks to the health and safety of the employees concerned; and

(c) take place during working hours.

The bottom line

There is no reason at all why a geography specialist should not teach environmental science in a science laboratory with 2 caveats:

1 They should be made aware of general safety risks and the rules in place – as mentioned in section 1.

2 They should be given any training needed if they are to carry out the practical work as a part of the course.

In both cases this can be informal and inhouse rather than requiring an external training course.