Rocks - Risk Assessment

The Primary Science Advisory Service (PZAZ) provides a comprehensive risk assessment for Year 3 teachers conducting lessons on rocks, emphasizing the importance of health and safety during practical activities. PZAZ specifies that teachers should consult the CLEAPSS or SSERC websites for detailed guidance on handling hazardous substances and ensuring the well-being of everyone involved in the classroom activities. It is important to note that PZAZ does not accept responsibility for the actions of individuals using their resources, which include lesson plans, videos, and risk assessments, and it is the user's responsibility to follow the provided safety precautions.

The risk assessment categorizes the potential hazards as 'Low' for the Rocks lesson and identifies those at risk, which include pupils, teachers, assistants, and classroom visitors. Hazards listed include the risk of cuts from sharp-edged rocks, toxicity from rocks containing lead, slip hazards from spilled liquids, allergic reactions from chocolate, cuts from damaged microscope slides, and irritation from Plaster of Paris. To mitigate these risks, a series of controls are recommended: careful handling of rocks, thorough hand washing post-handling, prompt cleaning of spills, exclusion of allergic individuals from chocolate handling, rigorous inspection and safe handling of microscope slides, and protective measures when using Plaster of Paris. Additionally, the guidance advises on the correct response to Plaster of Paris dust exposure and the appropriate disposal methods for waste materials.