Risk assessments are an attempt to safeguard
yourself, your students and the apparatus in any physics experiment. In the
assessment of risk in any experiment you should:
(a) try and assess what might reasonably go wrong
(b) how likely it is to go wrong
(b) what the effects would be on teacher, student and equipment if the
problem actually occurred
A risk assessment is an important part of your
practical lesson and a formal record should always be kept (see risk assessment
form).
Having said this one important word in (a) is reasonable. Many
experiments can be carried out with virtually no risk and many others the risk of the
problem occurring is so low that the risk becomes acceptable. We should not
severely limit our practical work. However any experiment which could cause serious
injury to staff or students should never be carried out in a
school.
The first
thing to do is to try and identify the particular hazards in the experiment. These might
be electrical, radioactivity, temperature (burns and scalds), high pressure with a
chance of an explosion, chemical, light (Sun, UV, laser)
There are then
simple physical hazards around a lab – these are usually things that you can trip
over. For this reason always store bags and briefcases under the bench and avoid
having electrical leads trailing from one bench to another across an open space. If
possible do not store heavy or expensive equipment in high cupboards where it could
fall out, hit somebody and break.
Be sure that you understand any risks with
the use of chemicals in a Physics laboratory. If in doubt consult your colleagues in
the Chemistry department for advice on use, storage and treatment in the case of
spillage or contact with the body – especially the eyes.
4. Death or permanent disability
3. Long-term illness or serious
injury
2. Medical attention and several days off work
1. First aid
required
Having looked at the
risk and possible consequences you should try to control the experiment to see if you
can minimize these.
(a) can you eliminate the risk?
(b) if the risks are
significant, is there another way to carry out the experiment or can you substitute an
alternative experiment?
(c) can you reduce the risk?