An HSE quality system for the science classroom
A quality system is a set of routines that describe what and how things should be done to ensure the quality of the work related to health, safety and the environment should include routines for:
- labelling chemicals according to regulations
- storing chemicals according to regulations
- maintaining an updated chemical registry
- Risk assessment of experiments
- Waste management of chemicals
- preparing for and handling accidents
- staff training
The routines should reflect and inform practice at your school. Routines that only exist on paper is a waste of time for everyone involved.
Responsibility issues
The principal, as the head of the organisation, normally has the formal responsibility for the work with health, science and environment at school. This responsibility includes
- making sure the organisation follows and maintains an HSE system
- assuring HSE training and competence is maintained in the organisation.
- delegation of tasks, responsibility and authority in the organisation
In other words, the principal is not required to carry out this work in person, but is responsible for making sure the work is done by someone in the organisation.
The teacher, as part of the organisation, is required to
- comply with the HSE system,
- take active part in the school's HSE-work
- use their experience and competence to suggest improvements to current practice if needed
The teacher may be given responsibility for HSE-related tasks. It is for example common that responsibility for HSE in the science classroom is delegated to one or more of the science teachers. If someone is given responsibility for HSE-work, they must also be given the authority, time and training necessary to do the job.
Getting started
If the school has not previously had a systematic approach to HSE- work, the demands listed in this resource may seem daunting. Do not try to do everything at once. Make a prioritized list, and a realistic work plan. Start with establishing the routines that you feel are most important for improving the HSE situation for staff and students, or with the routines that are fairly easily established with the currently available resources.
Here, you will find suggestions for good places to start if you are establishing an HSE system for the science classroom <link>
Labelling
Chemicals in the science classroom should be labelled according to EU regulations. If you buy chemicals, these should be properly marked from the vendor. If you make your own solutions that are stored over night, you have to label them yourself.
- Here you can read about how to label properly, and find label templates for common solutions
- Here you can read about the regulation for classification, labelling and packaging (CLP-regulation)
- Here is a template for establishing a labelling routine in schools????
Storage
For safety reasons, some chemicals require special storage conditions, and some chemicals should not be stored together.
- Here you can read about storage requirements for some common chemicals
- Here you find a suggestion for a storage solution for chemicals used in the science classroom
- Here is a template for establishing a storage routine in schools???
Risk assessment
That does not mean everyone will follow routines of their own accord. You still need a culture that values HSE-work and accept that it takes time.