Smiley Science Health and Safety Policy

Smiley Science is committed to providing science demonstrations, workshops, presentations, stargazing events, and public engagement activities that are engaging, accessible, and safely managed.

Some of our demonstrations involve equipment, materials, or effects that may look dramatic, including fire, electricity, gases, chemicals, light, sound, or moving objects. These demonstrations are planned, rehearsed, risk assessed, and controlled by the presenter.

Audience members, children, teachers, parents, venue staff, and members of the public are not permitted to handle demonstration equipment, chemicals, ignition sources, or hazardous materials unless this is specifically stated as part of a supervised hands-on activity.

Demonstrator-only activities are performed only by Colin Smillie or another suitably trained demonstrator working under an agreed safety plan.

Demonstrations and shows

All science demonstrations are assessed before use. Demonstrations involving fire, heat, pressure, gases, chemicals, electrical equipment, vacuum chambers, lasers, projectiles, loud sounds, or other hazards are presenter-controlled unless clearly stated otherwise.

Audience participation, where included, is limited to activities that have been designed for safe participation. Clear instructions will be given before participation begins. Participants must follow presenter instructions at all times.

If a demonstration is not suitable for a venue, audience, weather condition, or event layout, it will be modified, substituted, or removed.

Workshops and hands-on activities

Hands-on activities are designed to be age-appropriate and supervised. Materials are selected and prepared with participant safety in mind.

Children and young people must follow instructions and remain within the agreed activity area. Parents, caregivers, teachers, or venue staff may be asked to assist with supervision depending on the group, age, and activity.

Any activity involving sharp objects, heat, chemicals, electrical equipment, projectiles, food materials, allergens, or messy substances will be managed with appropriate controls.

Public events and stargazing

Outdoor events, including telescope viewing and stargazing, are assessed for site safety, weather, visibility, trip hazards, traffic, lighting, crowd movement, and public access.

Solar viewing is only carried out using appropriate solar-safe equipment and under presenter supervision.

Events may be postponed, modified, or cancelled if weather, wind, lighting, ground conditions, crowd behaviour, or other site conditions make the activity unsafe.

Venues and event hosts

Smiley Science works with venues, schools, museums, community groups, retirement villages, event organisers, and private clients to manage safety.

Where requested, Smiley Science can provide demonstration risk assessments and discuss venue-specific controls with the host organisation.

Emergencies

Smiley Science carries appropriate safety equipment for the activities being delivered. This may include safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid supplies, spill controls, barriers, and other demonstration-specific equipment.

Activities will stop immediately if unsafe conditions arise.

Any incident, near miss, injury, equipment failure, or safety concern will be recorded and reviewed. Controls will be updated where needed.

Participant responsibilities

Participants and audience members are expected to:

Follow presenter’s instructions;

Remain behind safety boundaries;

Not touch equipment unless invited;

Not enter demonstration areas without permission;

Supervise all children in their care where appropriate;

Inform presenter or host about any immediate safety concern;

Advise of relevant allergies, access needs, sensory needs, or medical concerns before taking part where this may affect participation;

Have fun!

Review

This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as activities, equipment, venues, or legal requirements change.

Last reviewed: June 2026