Carry out risk assessments on scientific or technical activity
Overview
This standard covers the competences you need to carry
out risk assessments on scientific or technical activity in
accordance with approved procedures and practices.
You will be required to demonstrate that you can carry out
risk assessments, identifying processes, tools, equipment
or materials that have the potential to cause harm or
damage to people, property or the environment. You will
assess the level of risk, and consider how the risks can be
eliminated, mitigated or controlled to minimise harm in
accordance with workplace procedures.
The activity is likely to be undertaken by someone in a
science related work setting, including individuals working
in hospitals, scientific laboratories, schools and universities.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure that your work is carried out in accordance with
workplace procedures
P2 use safe practices and the appropriate personal
protection equipment (PPE) where scientific or technical
activities are performed
P3 identify and agree the business and scientific or
technical requirements of your role in the workplace
P4 establish processes that deliver scientific or technical
outcomes based on organisational goals and aims
P5 define clearly why, when and where the risk assessment
will be carried out
P6 ensure you have accurate and up-to-date information on
the scientific or technical activity for which the risk
assessment is to be carried out
P7 select a method of identifying hazards which is
appropriate to the area being assessed
P8 identify work areas, processes, tools, equipment or
materials that have the potential to cause harm or damage
to people, property or the environment
P9 assess the level of risk, and consider how the risks can
be eliminated, mitigated or controlled to minimise harm
P10 propose and record recommendations for dealing with
the identified risks
P11 present the results of the work done to the appropriate
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 scientific or technical activities
K2 the implications of not taking account of legislation,
regulations, standards and guidelines when conducting
scientific or technical activities
K3 the scientific or technical techniques and processes you
must use correctly in the workplace.
K4 the importance of wearing protective clothing, gloves
and eye protection for scientific or technical activities
K5 the importance of correct identification, and any unique
workplace coding system
K6 the organisational requirements for maintaining the
security of the workplace and keeping confidential
documents
K7 the workplace business aims and goals and the
planning process
K8 the workplace organisational structure, its values and
culture
K9 how your scientific or technical activities add value
through delivering workplace products, services and
processes
K10 the lines of communication and responsibilities in your
department, and the links with the rest of the organisation
K11 the limits of your own authority and to whom you
should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
K12 how to identify and assess the scientific or technical
requirements of your work roles
K13 the different ways in which you are set your agreed
personal work objectives
K14 the different perspectives and approaches that are
important when exercising autonomy or judgement about
scientific or technical activities used
K15 the types of investigation initiated and used to review
the effectiveness or appropriateness of methods, action
and results of your scientific or technical work
K16 the specific scientific or technical work activities of the
people where you are carrying out the risk assessment
K17 how to obtain information on the scientific or technical
activities, and the health and safety regulations and
requirements to be observed
K18 the particular health and safety risks which can arise
from different activities undertaken, and the precautions
that can be taken
K19 the various hazard spotting and safety assessment
methods and techniques that can be used
K20 how to identify hazards which might arise from
changes in working practices
K21 how to ensure that the hazard identification causes
minimal disruption and concern to other people
K22 the potential implications of the risks
K23 methods of identifying hazards and assessing the
probability of a risk situation occurring
K24 how to prioritise and manage hazards
K25 the types of risk assessment methods that are
appropriate to different types of risk
K26 methods of collecting and evaluating information on
risk assessment activities
K27 techniques for defining and controlling identified risks
K28 problems that can occur during risk assessments, and
how these problems can be avoided or rectified
K29 the sources of technical expertise that can advise on
health and safety risk assessments
Scope/range
- carry out all of the following during the risk assessment
activities:
1.1 adhere to procedures or systems in place for COSHH,
personal protective equipment and other relevant safety
regulations
1.2 obtain the required risk assessment documentation
1.3 ensure the purpose and scope of the risk assessment
to be carried out
1.4 obtain approval to carry out the risk assessment
activities from the appropriate people
1.5 ensure that all appropriate personnel are fully informed
of your intended activities
1.6 ensure that risk assessment records are stored in a
manner suited to future audit or investigation - conduct a risk assessment on three of the following
laboratory activities:
2.1 obtaining samples
2.2 use of people for a specific activity
2.3 preparing samples
2.4 use of equipment for a specific activity
2.5 testing samples
2.6 use of materials for a specific activity
2.7 obtaining resources or chemicals
2.8 risks to the environment
2.9 preparing resources or chemicals
2.10 other (please specify)
2.11 testing materials or equipment - carry out risk assessment using:
3.1 direct observation plus two of the following
3.2 employment regulations
3.3 interviewing people
3.4 accident reports
3.5 expert technical advice
3.6 quality standards
3.7 manufacturer's/supplier's technical information - provide recommendations to deal with all of the following
categories of risk:
4.1 those that can be eliminated
4.2 those that can be reduced
4.3 those that remain constant - record and communicate details of the work done, to the
appropriate people, using:
5.1 verbal report plus one method from the following:
5.2 written or typed report
5.3 computer-based record
5.4 specific workplace documentation
5.5 electronic mail