Maintain areas used for scientific procedures in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers the activities required to maintain areas used for Home Office licensees to carry out scientific procedures in a Home Office designated establishment. This will include preparing the area before use and restoring it after use.

You will be acting as the licensee’s assistant following written or verbal instructions. Although not performing the procedure yourself, you must be aware of the equipment and conditions required.

Procedures could be either surgical or non-surgical. When surgical procedures are performed you will require a thorough knowledge of aseptic technique, and the methods of sterilisation, disinfection and the safe disposal of clinical and non-clinical waste.

This standard is for animal technologists or support staff in Home Office designated establishments.

1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
5. obtain accurate information about the equipment, materials and services required for scientific procedures
6. confirm that the correct equipment, materials and services are available and fit for purpose
7. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
8. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
9. prepare and maintain the area to the level of cleanliness required for scientific procedures
10. set up the services and environmental conditions required for the scientific procedure
11. prepare the equipment and materials for the scientific procedure and make them ready for use in accordance with instructions
12. clean and maintain equipment in a serviceable condition, checking for faults and defects regularly, in accordance with instructions
13. confirm an adequate supply of materials required for scientific procedures is maintained
14. report any problems with equipment or materials in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
15. use the correct aseptic techniques to minimise the possibility of infection and cross-contamination
16. make equipment and materials safe and secure on completion of the scientific procedure
17. return equipment and materials to the correct location for storage, sterilisation or transportation after use
18. restore the area to the required level of cleanliness
19. deal with spillages and waste from the activity safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s procedures
20. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation

1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. the relevant legislation and codes of practice concerned with maintaining areas used for scientific procedures
3. the importance and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
4. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
5. how to prepare and maintain areas used for scientific procedures and the cleaning methods to use
6. how to check and confirm the availability of the equipment, materials and services required
7. how to set up the services and environmental conditions required for the scientific procedure
8. the types of equipment and materials required for the scientific procedure being carried out
9. the safety procedures for handling, using, cleaning and maintaining equipment
10. how to clean and maintain equipment, how to identify faulty and defective equipment and the required action to take
11. the methods of safe handling, storage, and use of materials and the procedure for maintaining supplies
12. the safe methods for transporting chemicals from bulk storage and cylinders of gases where appropriate
13. the methods and importance of aseptic techniques covering sterilisation, disinfection and prevention of cross-contamination
14. the appropriate infection control measures including zoonoses
15. the safe handling of biological material from animal sources and the equipment used
16. the legal and the organisation’s requirements for the handling, storage and disposal of waste produced by the activity
17. the types of problems that may occur, their potential risks and the procedure for reporting concerns
18. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this