Case Study
This deep-tech laboratory Health & Safety case study shows how Salusphere Global supported an advanced materials start-up to build safety, compliance and operational readiness into a new laboratory from day one.
Client Sector
Advanced materials / deep-tech laboratory start-up
Project Type
Health & Safety assessment and implementation sprint
Status
Client anonymised due to confidentiality arrangements
Background
A growing advanced materials start-up was preparing to establish a new materials science laboratory in London.
The organisation was moving quickly, with key scientific equipment due to arrive within weeks. Rather than waiting until the laboratory was fully operational, the leadership team wanted to ensure that Health & Safety arrangements were properly considered from the outset.
The client approached Salusphere Global because they recognised that their proposed laboratory environment involved a more complex risk profile than a standard workplace or office-based setting.
The planned activities included advanced materials research, specialist laboratory equipment, technical analysis, microscopy and precision instrumentation.
The Challenge
The laboratory was being set up at pace, with equipment arriving in stages.
The main challenge was to help the client understand what needed to be in place before operations commenced, while also avoiding unnecessary delay or over-engineering.
The work included:
- Technical deep-dive with the client’s scientific lead
- Review of proposed equipment, hazards and laboratory activities
- Identification of immediate compliance priorities
- Prioritised action planning linked to equipment arrival dates
- Development of core Health & Safety management arrangements
- Identification of specialist statutory requirements
- Review of COSHH, DSEAR, radiation, laser, magnetic field and equipment safety considerations
- Advice on training, competence and authorised users
- Review of fire, first aid, emergency and building interface arrangements
- Consideration of waste management streams linked to laboratory activities and material use
- Advice on employee consultation and communication arrangements
- Support with document ownership, version control and master document control
- Support in structuring practical documentation and implementation actions
A further challenge was that not all equipment had arrived, some supplier information was still being gathered, and the organisation was evolving rapidly.
The client also needed to consider practical operational arrangements such as waste management streams, employee consultation, document ownership and master document control, so that the Health & Safety framework could be maintained as the laboratory developed.
This meant the support needed to be flexible, staged and collaborative.
The Client’s Approach
The client’s approach was highly positive.
They were not simply looking for a tick-box document set. They wanted to understand the real operational requirements, identify any compliance blockers early and put a structure in place that would allow the laboratory to scale safely.
From the outset, the client was open, responsive and engaged. Their senior scientific team participated directly in the technical discussions, which allowed the Health & Safety work to be grounded in the real science, equipment and intended workflows.
This was an important part of the project. In a technical laboratory environment, effective Health & Safety cannot be created in isolation. It requires close collaboration between competent safety advisers and the people who understand the processes, materials and equipment.
Our Approach
Salusphere Global proposed a staged Health & Safety compliance sprint.
The first stage focused on assessment, technical deep-dive and priority planning. The second stage focused on implementation support for the immediate operational readiness priorities.
The work included:
- Technical deep-dive with the client’s scientific lead
- Review of proposed equipment, hazards and laboratory activities
- Identification of immediate compliance blockers
- Prioritised action planning linked to equipment arrival dates
- Development of core Health & Safety management arrangements
- Identification of specialist statutory requirements
- Review of COSHH, DSEAR, radiation, laser, magnetic field and equipment safety considerations
- Advice on training, competence and authorised users
- Review of fire, first aid, emergency and building interface arrangements
- Support in structuring practical documentation and implementation actions
A key early priority was the XRD / radiation workstream, including the need to identify appropriate radiation protection advice and understand the registration and operational requirements before use.
Other priority areas included COSHH, SDS collation, laboratory control measures, emergency arrangements, first aid cover, training matrix development, equipment-specific safe systems of work and future review requirements as new equipment arrived.
Key Outputs
The project produced a practical framework for moving the laboratory towards operational readiness.
Key outputs included:
- Prioritised Health & Safety action plan
- Identification of regulatory and specialist compliance requirements
- Core Health & Safety Policy and arrangements
- Training and competency framework
- Risk assessment and method statement structure
- COSHH and SDS information requirements
- Guidance on equipment-specific safe working practices
- Fire, first aid and emergency action considerations
- Recommendations for specialist input, including radiation protection and DSEAR / fire assessment
- Clear allocation of client and consultant actions
- Waste management stream considerations
- Employee consultation and communication arrangements
- Master document control and document ownership structure
The work also helped the client understand which elements could be managed internally, which required external specialist support and which could be developed over time as the laboratory scaled.
Outcome
The client gained early visibility of the key Health & Safety requirements associated with launching a complex materials science laboratory.
Most importantly, the organisation was able to approach laboratory set-up with a clear, prioritised compliance roadmap rather than reacting after equipment was installed.
The project helped the client:
- Identify potential blockers early
- Understand the statutory and operational requirements
- Prioritise actions against equipment arrival dates
- Begin building a scalable Health & Safety framework
- Clarify internal roles and responsibilities
- Understand where specialist advisers would be required
- Create a practical foundation for future growth
The client’s proactive approach demonstrated a strong commitment to building a safe, compliant and sustainable laboratory environment from day one.
Why This Matters
For high-growth technical businesses, Health & Safety is often seen as something to deal with once operations are already underway.
This project showed the value of engaging early.
By involving Salusphere Global before the laboratory became fully operational, the client was able to identify compliance priorities, avoid avoidable delays and embed safety thinking into the set-up phase.
For advanced technology organisations, this approach supports not only legal compliance, but also investor confidence, operational resilience, staff wellbeing and long-term scalability.
Salusphere Global’s Role
Salusphere Global acted as a practical Health & Safety partner, helping the client translate complex regulatory requirements into a clear and manageable implementation plan.
Our role was to advise, guide, coordinate and support the development of a proportionate Health & Safety framework, while recognising where specialist statutory input was required.
This balance allowed the client to move quickly without compromising on the fundamentals.
Summary
A deep-tech materials science start-up approached Salusphere Global at a critical point in its growth journey.
With complex laboratory equipment arriving and operations due to commence, the client wanted to ensure Health & Safety was built into the laboratory from the start.
Through a staged assessment and implementation sprint, Salusphere Global helped the organisation identify priority risks, clarify compliance requirements and establish a practical roadmap for safe laboratory operation.
The result was a more structured, informed and confident route to operational readiness.
Setting up a new workplace, laboratory or technical environment?
Salusphere Global can help you identify priority risks, build practical Health & Safety arrangements and create a clear route to operational readiness.
