Training activity information
Details
Review a COSHH assessment
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Health and safety regulations, including laboratory and clinical investigations, specialism and type of specimen/sample
- Minimising potential hazards and risks
- Actions in the event of exposure, including escalation and mitigation
- Risk to laboratory personnel including specific risk
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- Do you understand the legal requirements related to COSHH? Do you know where to access COSHH assessments for the substances used in your laboratory?
- Are you familiar with the key components of a COSHH assessment, such as hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures, and emergency procedures?
- What better understanding of the specific hazards associated with the reagents and samples you handle might you gain?
- How may you learn how risk assessments are conducted and how control measures are implemented to minimise exposure?
- Could you develop your ability to identify potential hazards and understand the importance of following safe working practices?
- Have you identified the specific COSHH assessment(s) you will be reviewing?
- Have you considered the substances you regularly work with and thought about their potential hazards?
- Have you prepared any questions you have about the COSHH assessment process or specific control measures?
- Have you reflected on your current practices for handling hazardous substances and how they align with the principles of COSHH?
In action
- Which specific COSHH assessment(s) are you currently reviewing? What sections of the assessment are you focusing on (e.g., hazard identification, risk control measures, emergency procedures)?
- What are you actively looking for as you read through the document? Are you trying to identify specific hazards or control measures related to your work?
- Are any parts of the COSHH assessment immediately clear and understandable? Which parts require more thought or further clarification?
- Are you encountering any terminology or concepts that you are unfamiliar with? Are you able to easily identify the hazards associated with the substances covered in the assessment?
- Do the control measures described in the assessment seem practical and relevant to the laboratory setting? Are you developing a better understanding of the risks associated with handling specific substances?
- If you encounter information that is unclear or that you disagree with, what steps are you considering to address this (e.g., noting questions, seeking clarification)?
- Are you relating the information in the COSHH assessment to your own work practices? Are there any discrepancies you are noticing?
- Are you considering how the control measures outlined in the assessment are implemented in practice?
On action
- Which specific substances or procedures were covered in the COSHH assessment(s) you reviewed?
- What were the main hazards identified for these substances or procedures?
- What control measures were in place to mitigate these risks (e.g., personal protective equipment, engineering controls, specific procedures)?
- Was the information in the assessment clear, comprehensive, and easy to understand? Were there any areas that were unclear or lacking detail?
- How did the control measures described compare to the actual practices you have observed or undertaken in the laboratory?
- Did you gain a better understanding of the specific hazards associated with certain reagents or equipment you use?
- Did you learn about any new or different control measures that you were previously unaware of?
- Did your reflect-in-action (your focus and questions during the review) help you to identify key safety information?
- How will this review influence your own practices when handling the substances or performing the procedures covered in the COSHH assessment?
- Will you make any changes to how you approach safety in the laboratory based on what you have learned?
- Are there any discrepancies between the COSHH assessment and current practice that you feel need to be addressed?
- What steps might you take to raise these concerns?
Beyond action
- Have you reviewed other COSHH assessments since this training activity? Have you noticed any similarities or differences in how risks are assessed and controlled for different substances or procedures?
- Have there been any changes to laboratory procedures or the introduction of new equipment since you reviewed this COSHH assessment? Have you considered how these changes might impact the original risk assessment?
- Have you revisited your initial ‘reflect-on-action’ notes on the COSHH assessment in light of your subsequent practical experience in the lab? Have you gained a better understanding of the rationale behind specific control measures?
- How have these experiences impacted upon your current practice?
- Has reviewing the COSHH assessment made you more vigilant in following safety procedures and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)? Can you provide specific examples?
- Has this activity influenced how you handle and store laboratory reagents and patient samples?
- Has your understanding of risk assessment informed your approach to maintaining laboratory equipment in accordance with local policies?
- How might these experiences contribute towards your future practice?
- Will your enhanced awareness of potential hazards and control measures make you a more proactive and responsible member of the laboratory team in the future?
- What further actions might you take to develop your understanding of health and safety regulations and risk assessment processes within the laboratory setting?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 7 |
Outcome
Employ safe working practices to maintain laboratory equipment, prepare, handle and store laboratory reagents and patient samples. |