HSE & Laboratory Apprentice

Summary

This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to learn and build foundational skills in Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and laboratory operations. Working under close supervision, the apprentice will support Puraffinity in maintaining a safe, compliant and well-organised working environment across laboratory and operational activities.

Wage

£24,000 a year

Training course

Safety, health and environment technician (level 3)

Hours

Full-time. Monday-Friday 09:00-18:00 1-hour unpaid lunch break.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 24 November 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Health & Safety

• Promote a positive H&S culture, follow safe working practices and raise concerns
• Support maintenance of HSE systems and compliance documentation
• Carry out routine checks of HSE equipment and first aid provisions, reporting issues
• Assist with site inspections, audits and risk assessments
• Help record incidents and near-misses, supporting investigations and corrective actions
• Support administration of mandatory employee training, tracking completion and reminders
• Prepare HSE briefings, notices and safety communications
• Maintain accurate statutory and HSE records
• Assist with environmental activities, including waste segregation, records and monitoring
• Gather information and data for HSE performance updates

Lab Administration

• Maintain consumable stock records and lab inventory, raising orders as directed
• Support the chemical inventory system and compliance records
• Prepare analytical samples for dispatch and complete shipment paperwork under supervision
• Carry out laboratory housekeeping to keep workspaces clean, safe and organised
• Share ideas and observations for improving lab safety and working practices
• Undertake basic laboratory tasks once trained and deemed competent

Learning & Development

• Work towards a relevant apprenticeship qualification (e.g. Level 3 Safety, Health & Environment Technician or Laboratory Technician), completing training and assessments on time
• Build knowledge of HSE legislation, laboratory safety and best practice through training and shadowing
• Meet regularly with your line manager to review progress, receive feedback and agree objectives

Experience/Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade 4/C or above, including English, Maths and Science
• Good organisation and attention to detail
• Comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance
• Willingness to learn and a strong interest in health & safety and laboratory/science work

Desired

• Exposure to a laboratory, science or workplace safety environment through education or work experience
• Basic IT skills, including Word, Excel and Outlook
• First Aid qualification (training can be provided)

Behaviours

• Collaboration & Team First: Works closely with the Laboratory Team Lead and wider teams, seeking guidance and contributing to shared goals
• Take Initiative: Engages fully with tasks, follows procedures and raises concerns or improvement ideas
• Empathy: Respects experienced colleagues, listens to feedback and applies learning
• Adaptability & Learning: Embraces new tasks and balances workplace responsibilities with apprenticeship study
• Judgement & Problem-Solving: Follows procedures to resolve routine issues and escalates concerns appropriately
• Planning & Delivery: Completes tasks reliably and on time, keeping managers informed and seeking support when required
• Safety First: Follows all safety rules, risk assessments and safe systems of work, uses correct PPE and reports hazards, incidents and near-misses promptly

Where you'll work

Scale Space
58 Wood Lane
London
W12 7RZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

Training course

Safety, health and environment technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Present and hold an audiences attention, for example when delivering SHE training, toolbox talks, inductions or presenting data or investigation findings to the workforce or management team. Show they can sell the SHE message, have personal impact, deal with challenge, reflect on personal performance, use appropriate language for the audience
• Assist the management team in the development, management, implementation and monitoring of the Safety, Health and Environmental Management System by updating systems in line with changes in legislation or best practice, delivering training, coaching operational teams and undertaking workplace inspections
• Provide advice on the practical implementation of the companys SHE policies and processes applying generic industry guidance into the context of the workplace
• Identify the hazards and evaluate: workplace instructions that are relevant to the individual’s job; working practices in the individual’s job that may harm themselves or others’; aspects of the individual’s job that could harm themselves or others; which of the potentially harmful working practices and aspects of the individual’s work present the highest risks to themselves or others; how to deal with hazards in accordance with workplace instructions and legal requirements
• Support the practical application of the workplace instructions and suppliers or manufacturers instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
• Support and assist in the implementation of SHE inspections and monitoring systems demonstrating the balance between enforcement and internal support
• Undertake and/or assist with the monitoring, analysis of and reporting of SHE performance
• Prepare and maintain records relating to safety, health and environmental matters that comply with legal and workplace requirements and are accessible to those who are authorised to use them. E.g. records associated with Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations, Noise at Work Regulations, Hand Arm Vibration Regulations or Environmental Permitting Regulations
• Assist the management team in establishing, managing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders such as local authorities, Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Occupational Health, Occupational Hygienists and others as required and directed
• Research Safety, Health and Environmental Issues and best practices. Review updates of health and safety regulations e.g. changes to Construction, Design and Management Regulations or updates to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health along with workplace instructions, making sure that information is from reliable sources
• Assist and/or manage the investigation of accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences, near misses and other incidents as directed
• Recognise where decisions have a financial cost and assisting to develop a budget
• Recognise situations where the activity will benefit from contributions and expertise of other internal departments such as HR, Finance, IT or Occupational Health

Training schedule

Alongside on-the-job learning, the apprentice will work towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification. They will build practical experience by following defined procedures, completing routine tasks reliably and learning from experienced colleagues across laboratory, technical and operational teams.

More training information

SR Apprenticeships is a leading national training provider delivering Apprenticeship programmes throughout the UK.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C/4/Pass)
• Maths (grade C/4/Pass)
• Science (grade C/4/Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental