CLEAPSS Supporting practical science and technology
CLEAPSS Technicians
CLEAPSS Supporting technicians

Technicians play a vital role in supporting the teaching of exciting, effective science safely. CLEAPSS provides guidance on all aspects of being a technician and resources such as stock lists, templates for laboratory checklists, requisition sheets, labels and much more to help technicians in their jobs. For help with finding these resources see here. CLEAPSS actively works with other organisations to raise the status of technicians in schools.

We also post details of technician networks and job vacancies.

If you need help or advice or would like to share a technician tip please get in touch by email or phone.

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Latest news from CLEAPSS..
WANTED : IT System & User Support Manager
CLEAPSS is looking to appoint a IT System & User Support Manager. 

The successful candidate will be part of the CLEAPSS management team, providing input on all matters relating to the use of IT in the business. 

They will work closely with the CLEAPSS IT developer on the successful implementation of bespoke IT solutions across the organisation.

For more information about the post, please download the job pack here. (You may need to right click and select download this zip file)
New Edition of CLEAPSS Guide L93
The new edition of L093 (February 2024) is now available to download. 

Guidance leaflet GL114 (also available now) details the main changes in the new edition. 

A revised edition of DL093 containing editable versions (MS Word) of the key record keeping forms is also available.

RPS in schools should review the revised guidance carefully, in particular, sections 6.5, 6.6.1, 9 and 15 of the revised L093 need to be completed by the RPS.

CLEAPSS will scheduling additional training courses (face to face and online) for RPS(schools). These will be advertised via the website.

RPOs in the CLEAPSS RPA service will be invited to attend an online briefing about the implications of the changes for their role. Invitations will be sent by e-mail this week.
CLEAPSS at the ASE Conference 2024
Thanks to everyone we met at the ASE Conference in Northampton.

You can also see a showcase video reel here.

You can find links to all our conference resources here.

Supply of chemicals - New Regulations

The regulations for supplying explosives precursors and poisons was updated on 27th September 2023 and came into force on 1st October. These put in place new requirements on the supply of certain chemicals which include the following commonly used in schools:

Explosives precursors: acetone, aluminium powders, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfur and sulfuric acid.

Poisons: ammonia, phenols, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrite and sodium hypochlorite solutions. 

The regulations state that businesses and professional users should be verified by the supplier every time a new purchase is made of these regulated chemicals. 

 Where they are being supplied frequently or on a routine basis to the same professional user or business, verification should occur every 18 months or whenever there is a change or deviation from normal purchasing patterns. This is something suppliers can choose to do, but given schools don’t generally make frequent purchases of these chemicals, it is likely that the information will be required for each order.

The person making the sale (the supplier) must obtain the following from the business customer (i.e. the school):

<!--the business customer’s name and address. If the business customer is not an individual, the name of an individual who is authorised on behalf of the business customer should be recorded;

<!--a form of photographic identification of the business customer or, if the business customer is not an individual, of the individual making the purchase; this could be a school photo ID card

<!--a statement of the nature of the business customer’s trade, business or profession, or of the public function that the business customer performs; and the business customer’s VAT registration number, if the business customer has such a number

Your school will have to decide who is authorised on behalf of the business to make the purchase (the name on the order must match the individual). For schools it is most likely to be a technician, head of science or finance manager.

There is no licence which applies to these regulations, so there is nothing schools will need to apply for.

This information should be provided when requested by the company making the sale, there is no need to provide it in advance.

Further details including a list of the regulated substances and concentration thresholds can be found in the Explosives precursors and poisons: general guidance on the government website  

Heads of Science Training
Are you a head of science / subject / dept ? 

Not sure on how H&S law applies to you and your team ?

Then our H&S Course for HoD is ideal for you, find all the details here
Technicians Resources
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Members only resource Click to download Document.
Provides an overview and full index of all Laboratory Handbook sections.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
This edition includes notes on blood and cheek cell sampling, inappropriate dumping of waste chemicals, and the role and value of the CE mark on equipment.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Some resources to help with checking the contents of Molymod molecular model sets after they've been used in lessons.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Crude oil refinery is a foundation industry, providing fuel products for heating and transport, and raw materials for many further industries, including polymer and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Fract.. more

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Risk assessment guidance for carbon disulfide.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Risk assessment guidance for Salicylic acid, aspirin & similar esters

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Guidance on the preparation and disposal of potassium metabisulfite and sodium metabisulfite solutions.

Free resource Click to download Document.
A portfolio of designs of school science laboratories, by Andy Piggott for the ASE

Members only resource Click to download Document.
A straightforward investigation using simple equipment which will allow students to confirm Boyle's law.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
This leaflet is intended to give brief details only of the major manufacturers and suppliers of electronic balances suitable for use in science within secondary schools and colleges.

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