Maintain stocks of resources, equipment and consumables in life sciences and related industries
Overview
This standard covers the skills you need to assist with the maintenance and control of stocks of resources, equipment and consumables for scientific or similar uses, in accordance with approved procedures, organisational policy and practices. You will complete tasks and procedures, exercise autonomy and judgement subject to overall direction or guidance. You will report any problems with the activities, materials or equipment that you cannot personally resolve. You will work under a team leader whilst taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out. Maintaining stocks at the right level, within critical limits and in the right environment is important for the smooth running of the workplace. Stock levels should be accurately labeled, recorded, handled, transported, stored and disposed of according to workplace procedures. Failure to do so will result in incorrect stock levels, incorrect labeling and contribute to inefficiency and wastage. You underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of scientific or similar facts, procedures, workplace processes and ideas to complete well-defined generally routine tasks and address straightforward problems in the workplace. Who this standard is for The standard is recommended for new recruits and junior laboratory staff.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure that your work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures,
health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations and guidelines
P2 count stocks, confirm that they are within the maximum/minimum levels
required for the scientific and related activities and update records in the
information system
P3 check the packaging information on individual stock items, and confirm that
critical details are within acceptable limits
P4 identify, record and communicate requirements to replenish stocks at
specified re-order levels
P5 check new stocks received against purchase orders and delivery notes and
notify relevant people of any discrepancies or breakages
P6 label and store items in the correct environment and location and update
records in the information system
P7 correctly handle and transport stock items, using the appropriate methods and
techniques
P8 dispose, in the appropriate manner and locations, of stock or items that are
damaged or outside acceptable limits for scientific and related uses
P9 communicate the required information about the work done to authorised
people
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the health and safety and other legislative requirements of the area in which
you are carrying out the scientific or similar activities
K2 the scientific or similar techniques and processes you must use
correctly in the workplace
K3 the limits of your own authority and to whom you should report if you have
problems that you cannot resolve
K4 the importance of correct identification, and any unique workplace coding
system
K5 why it is important to maintain accurate records for scientific or similar
resources, equipment and consumables
K6 the types and range of scientific or similar resources, equipment and
consumables used in the workplace, and how they have to be checked
K7 how to check the packaging information on stock (such as batch numbers and
expiry dates), labelling new stock items correctly and recording in the
information system
K8 the range of storage environments used to store scientific or similar resources,
equipment and consumables for workplace use
K9 how to monitor and control stock levels for scientific or similar uses
K10 how to dispose of waste or damaged stock items, in accordance with
workplace procedures
K11 how to resolve issues with delivered damaged or incomplete replacement stock