Topic Two (1.2): Working safely

Topics Icon.png Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 

  • recognise commonly used hazard symbols 
  • identify possible hazards in practical work. 

You might also be able to: 

  • understand the purpose of a risk assessment.

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

This topic is an introduction to safety when carrying out scientific investigations. You will be carrying some investigations out at home and you will need to do these safely. We will also look at safety in the laboratory.


Interact Icon.png Activities

  • Begin by reading pages 10-11 of Activate 1. 
  • To begin with, let's think about some hazards in your home. Hang on! First we need to know what we mean by a hazard. 
  • A hazard is something that can cause harm or hurt you or someone else (or even a pet). What sort of hazards are there in your kitchen?
    • I am guessing that there are some hot things that could burn and some electrical items that, if faulty or broken, could give an electric shock or even cause a fire.
    • What else? What if there was something on the floor, like a toy or bag? That would be a hazard, as you might trip.
    • Lastly, what hazards do you have on you when you are cooking (for instance)? You might have long hair, a scarf or a necklace that could catch on fire or get caught in something.
  • Now, when we do an experiment, we can get rid of some of the hazards. We can make sure that there is nothing on the floor that we could trip over. We can tie up long hair and not wear loose clothing - we could wear a done-up lab coat or an apron covering our clothes.
  • However, some hazards are hazards that we have to use. In Chemistry, we might use chemicals that are harmful or corrosive (can burn) or a Bunsen burner, which might cause something to catch on fire. In Biology, we can use ethanol (flammable) or bacteria. In Physics, we might use electrical circuits and other electrical equipment. 

WATCH - WS1 Mini clip 2: Recognising hazards (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.  

WATCH - WS1 Mini clip 3 - Hazards and Risks (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.  

  • Click on the + signs to read about what the safety concerns are in this Safety in the Laboratory pdf: 

DOWNLOAD & READ - Safety in the Laboratory (twinkl) [Not available on sample course]

  • If we can't remove all the hazards we have to make sure the risk of that hazard hurting someone is reduced.
  • A risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm.
  • To reduce the risk we have rules and ways of working in the laboratory and also protective equipment (like goggles and gloves).
  • Have a look at how Kevin the Minion is dressed for safety (scroll past the cartoon and answers):

EXPLORE - Lab Safety (PhysicsScotland.co.uk) Links to an external site.

  • We also have hazard labels that warn us of the hazard associated with certain things in the laboratory:

DOWNLOAD & KEEP - Hazard Labels (twinkl) [Not available on sample course]


Review Icon.png Review

Can you spot at least 12 hazards in the laboratory shown in the cartoon?

EXPLORE - Lab Safety (PhysicsScotland.co.uk) Links to an external site.

COMPLETE - Hazard Symbols Match and Draw (twinkl) [Not available on sample course]

COMPLETE – (Question 3) Working Scientifically Vocab Builder 1 (Kerboodle) Links to an external site. 


Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

Can you find out what the hazard labels for biohazard and radioactivity look like? What colour are they?


Download Icon.png Check your answers

CHECK- Hazard Symbols Match and Draw Answers (twinkl) [Not available on sample course]