CLEAPSS Supporting practical science and technology
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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.

Working with glass

Latest news from CLEAPSS..
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Schools
Updated : 15th June 2022

Removed requirement to sanitise eye protection for schools in Northern Ireland, this matches latest guidance released for schools in Northern Ireland. 

No other changes in guidance.
Pupils visiting from primary schools
As we move into the season of pupils visiting their nearby secondary schools, we have produced a suite of new guidance to support teachers and technicians in what could and shouldn't be done in these sessions.



Cheek cells, can we do it? YES WE CAN!
All practicals, including cheek cells, breathing or blowing activities and experiments with saliva should now be resumed as part of normal school practice. 

However, if pupils are required to wear face coverings IN LESSONS then we recommend that check cells and activities are NOT carried out.

See GL343 – Guide to doing practical work during the COVID-19 pandemic for more details

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.
Technicians Resources
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Members only resource
Handbook - Preface
Click to download Document.
Provides an overview and full index of all Laboratory Handbook sections.
Members only resource
Bulletin 095 - Spring 1996
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
Tech Tip - Contents sheets for Molymod molecular model sets
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
PP081 - Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil
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
HC020b - Carbon disulfide
Click to download Document.
Risk assessment guidance for carbon disulfide.
Members only resource
HC052 - Salicylic acid, aspirin & similar esters
Click to download Document.
Risk assessment guidance for Salicylic acid, aspirin & similar esters
Members only resource
RB112 - Metabisulfite solutions
Click to download Document.
Guidance on the preparation and disposal of potassium metabisulfite and sodium metabisulfite solutions.
Members only resource
PP028 - Investigating gas laws 1 - pressure/volume (Boyle's law)
Click to download Document.
A straightforward investigation using simple equipment which will allow students to confirm Boyle's law.
Members only resource
PS063 - Manufacturers and suppliers of electronic balances
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.
Members only resource
GL269 Microbiology guidance index
Click to download Document.
Briefly lists all CLEAPSS documents relevant to school microbiology.
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