CLEAPSS Chemistry

Chemistry – Let's make it happen!

CLEAPSS provides guidance for teachers, technicians, science advisers and H&S officers on all aspects of practical work. We know that chemistry experiments can cause problems and activities may not 'work' as expected, or provide the effective learning opportunity that’s required. Sometimes, health and safety concerns are raised about the chemicals involved.

CLEAPSS works with suppliers and others to ensure that suitable chemicals and equipment are used in schools and we can also suggest ideas and innovative methods that might help you enhance practical chemistry in your school.

So, if you’re stuck, or need a bit of advice, get in touch by e-mail or 'phone and we'll do our best to help!

Latest news from CLEAPSS..

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Schools

Updated : 2nd March 2022

Various minor revisions to align with new DfE and HSE guidance.

GL343 - Guide to doing practical work during the COVID-19 Pandemic – Science

Student Safety Sheets - 2022 Update

Are you about to print off a set of Student Safety Sheets?

Then you may want to wait, we are in the process of fully revising them and plan to publish this all new edition in the Autumn term.

HSE inspection of schools holding radioactive sources in science

The Health and Safety Executive’s Field Operations Division has contacted CLEAPSS (and SSERC for Scotland) to explain it is undertaking a programme of inspections across England, Wales and Scotland to see how schools manage the safe use and storage of the radioactive sources used in science teaching. An inspection programme may come as a surprise to some when you consider the relatively low risk of these sources compared to those used in universities and hospitals. But low risk does not mean exemption from inspection.

The HSE has accepted our offer to provide their inspectors with an introduction to the importance of radioactive sources in practical science, and to explain the approach taken in CLEAPSS Guide L93 on how to manage the sources safely and meet all the regulatory requirements.

You can read more about this on the HSE eBulletin page here.

Ahead of the inspection programme, our advice for schools in England and Wales is to go through the checklist 16.1 in the latest edition of L93 and make sure they have the appropriate arrangements in place.

If you have any questions regarding this, if possible please email science@cleapss.org.uk rather than calling the helpline, unless it is urgent, as we are in the middle of moving into our new offices at the moment.

CLEAPSS is moving!

We will be moving to our new offices

The CLEAPSS Helpline number will stay the same and will remain operational during and after the move.

We will however have reduced capacity to respond during this time.

Thank you for bearing with us.

GL227 - CLEAPSS Fume Cupboard Testing

Now fully revised - GL227

This guidance lists the suppliers/manufacturers of fume cupboards and fume cupboard filters intended for the schools market.

To support schools buying fume cupboards, we have an updated buying guide GL123.

Please note that CLEAPSS no longer carries out routine fume cupboard testing / approval. Therefore, we have removed all references of fume cupboards which have or haven’t been tested / ‘passed’ by ourselves.

Any such claims cited in any sales or technical specifications should be ignored and referred to CLEAPSS via the Helpline. (N.B. It will take some time for companies to update their websites and sales literature, this updated guide was published in Feb 2022).

We have replaced our CLEAPSS fume cupboard testing scheme with a manufacturer based approval

process. This is where the manufacturer of the fume cupboard, asserts that their fume cupboard(s) meets the requirements as per the CLEAPSS guide G9.

This process will be totally external to CLEAPSS, although we do intend to carry out random spot checks to ensure this system isn’t being abused. The process is similar to other sectors where a self-approval has proved to be effective.

If you find a fume cupboard advertised as meeting the requirements in Guide G9 (sections 4 & 5 are the most relevant for this), and you feel that it does not meet parts of Guide G9 then please contact us via the Helpline.

Chemistry Resources

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PP081 - Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil

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

PS063 - Manufacturers and suppliers of electronic balances

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.

GL100 - School science technician services: a guide for senior managers

Outlines the work that science technicians do, the tasks which they should not, ideally, be given, and provides a pointer to the number of technicians needed in a department and to management issues w.. more

GL110 - CLP pictograms for chemical hazard labelling

This includes all the pictograms required by the Globally Harmonised System for chemical hazard labelling. A selection of large (A4) and small sized pictures for printing and use in schools

Testing for organic functional groups: unsaturation or double bonds

Testing for organic functional groups: unsaturation or double bonds

G030 - Successful Science Practicals

Straightforward advice on how to make sure your practical lessons work as you intend. Includes planning and preparing the activity, managing students, timing and equipment, and clearing away. Also inc.. more

GL316 - Using a tap funnel to separate immiscible liquids

Straightforward instructions on using a tap funnel, a piece of equipment used in several chemical preparations and investigations.

PX038 - Ethanoic and other monobasic acids, and their salts

Brief risk assessment guidance and experimental notes for a range of practical activities involving monobasic organic acids and their salts (Hazcards 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D).

G9 - Fume Cupboards in Schools

This guide is intended for those using, buying, or designing fume cupboards for schools and colleges. Information is provided on common problems, on choosing and installing appropriate cupboards an.. more

PS010 - The burning peanut investigation and allergy to nuts

This now inclduies some general information on food calorimetry as well as explaining something of nut allergy and a range of control measures which could be used to enable effective, relevant practic.. more

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