Preparing reagents in life sciences and related industries
Overview
This standard is about the preparation of reagents for use in life sciences
and related industries. Many of the reagents will be solutions which you
may have to prepare from solids or by diluting a more concentrated
solution. You will be expected to work in a safe and efficient manner,
following laid down methods to accurately prepare the required
reagents. You be expected to understand the level of accuracy
required in each case.
Accurate preparation of starting materials is essential particularly in
any analytical procedure. If standard solutions are not prepared to
the required accuracy, then any results taken after that will be invalid.
While you are expected to be able to follow laid down procedures and
to carry out some basic calculations, you will not be responsible for
developing experimental methods.
Who this standard is for
The standard is recommended for all lab staff particularly new recruits.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure that your work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures
P2 select the correct balance to use depending on the accuracy required
P3 use balances for accurately weighing out materials
P4 select the appropriate glassware for the measurement of volumes of liquid
depending on the accuracy required
P5 measure accurately specific volumes of liquids
P6 communicate the required information about the work done, to authorised
people, in accordance with departmental and organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the health and safety requirements of the area in which you are carrying out
the activities
K2 the legal and regulatory frameworks within which you are working and the
implications of failing to comply with either
K3 the correct procedures for the work you are carrying out
K4 the correct procedures for reporting any problems you
K5 encounter when following a procedure
K6 the range of balances used in the laboratory and the main purpose of each
K7 the range of volumetric glassware used in a laboratory
K8 and the main purpose of each
K9 how to choose the appropriate measuring equipment
K10 for the scale, accuracy and precision required for the task
K11 calculations from moles to mass and vice versa
K12 calculations involving concentration of solution including converting between
different units
K13 calculation of dilution factors
K14 how to clean and maintain weighing and measuring equipment (such as
pipettes, balances