The essentials of safety and risk assessments in design technology

Design technology is a highly practical subject where students can learn through practical activities. However, this also brings many safety and risk assessment elements to consider for ensuring staff and student safety. In this article, we take a look at the essentials of safety and risk assessments in design technology.

Safety essentials in design technology

The highly practical nature of design technology in schools leads to many safety essentials that need to be considered.

Relevant documentation

One safety essential is ensuring you have the relevant documentation completed, including health and safety policies, risk assessments, stocklists, and relevant records. DT departments must have the relevant documentation developed to reflect school practices and processes.

  • Health and safety (H&S) policy that contains relevant information such as training, H&S roles, emergency procedures, access and storage of equipment and resources, procedures for risk assessments, etc.
  • Stocklists for all the tools, equipment, and chemicals within the department. This should also include their amount, location, and hazard classification.
  • Risk assessment to identify potential risks, risk severity, and the control measure(s) to prevent or limit such risks occurring.
  • H&S training records to detail how well trained and qualified each member of staff is in health and safety. This makes it easier to identify gaps and provide necessary training. It is recommended that H&S training is refreshed every 5 years.
  • Machinery checks and maintenance records detailing inspections of machinery. Records of maintenance and part replacements should also be kept, alongside any certificate copies.

Teaching workshops

The workshop where teaching and learning takes place also has many safety essentials that need to be considered. Staff should frequently check teaching rooms to ensure that they are safe. This includes:

  • Checking the workshop is clean and tidy
  • Sufficient heating and ventilation
  • Appropriate light levels, including artificial and natural light (between 500 and 1000 lux for DT workshops)
  • Emergency switches for machinery and main electrical switches operate efficiently
  • All hazardous or valuable equipment is properly stored away in lockable cupboards
  • Appropriate and clear signage for hazards and warnings

Workbenches also need to have sufficient spacing around them to avoid collisions. A sufficient circulation space of at least 750mm around each workbench is recommended. As a result, adjacent workbenches require 1500mm of space around them.

Portable electrical equipment will also require electrical sockets. These electrical sockets should be controlled using the emergency stop. Electrical sockets for computers should run on a different circuit.

Emergency stop buttons should be fully functional and easily accessible in the event of an emergency. These buttons should have clear signage and not be obstructed by anything. Stop buttons must be red with a yellow background and labelled with a picture sign.

PPE needs to be appropriately stored and easily accessible. Eye protection, face masks, and aprons are essential PPE for DT workshops. It’s also important that there is sufficient PPE for all students and staff.

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is a requirement for every woodworking machine that produces sawdust or fine dust. LEV removes airborne contaminants to prevent the risk of respiratory problems.

Prep and storage rooms

Alongside teaching workshops, prep and storage rooms also have essential safety factors that need to be implemented. The first of these is ensuring that it’s possible to secure these rooms This is usually achieved using a lockable door.

Cleaning and ensuring a tidy environment is also important. A regular cleaning schedule should be adhered to keep the room clean and tidy. Putting away tools, equipment, and materials also reduces the risk of injury.

As with teaching workshops, prep rooms also require sufficient heating and ventilation. A comfortable temperature should be maintained in the room throughout the year. LEV ventilation is also essential for woodworking machines.

Hazardous and highly flammable materials also need to be safely and appropriately stored away. Flammable liquids should be stored in a metal flammables cupboard marked with an appropriate symbol. Other hazardous materials should be stored away from this cupboard.

Workshop machinery

The machinery used in DT workshops also have safety essentials that should be adhered to. This includes:

  • Firmly installing each machine to the ground or benching.
  • A no-volt or overload starter switch should be present.
  • Operation of a key switch for certain machinery, such as band saws.
  • An emergency stop switch clearly labelled and accessible for each machine.
  • Machines stop within a suitable time within 10 seconds.
  • Electrical cables should be appropriately enclosed using steel fixed conduit.
  • Work and cutter guards should be present to provide essential protection.
  • Ensure regular testing and maintenance of all machinery.

There are daily, weekly, and monthly/termly maintenance tasks that should be carried out throughout the workshop. For example, drilling machines should be checked daily to ensure the guard is clean and fits correctly. A weekly task would involve checking the drill bit condition. A monthly or termly task would involve checking the drive belt condition and replacing it if necessary.

The daily, weekly, and monthly/termly tasks will be different from machine to machine. Therefore, a checklist must be made to ensure these tasks are carried out. It may also be worth creating a listing of restricted equipment that should not be used without suitable training and supervision.

Tools and equipment

The tools and equipment used within DT workshops need to be kept in good condition, including hand tools. Electrical equipment needs to be tested regularly, although this depends on the type of electrical:

  • Class 1 appliances that require earth protection should be tested yearly.
  • Class 2 appliances that do not require earth protection should be tested every other year.

LEV systems also require regular testing annually to ensure they are in good working order. Work and cutter guards also must be in good working order. Evidence and reports of all testing should be stored appropriately.

Safety rules

Every DT department must set health and safety rules that students adhere to when in the classroom. This ranges from listening and following instructions to ensuring a pupil using a machine is supervised and not distracted. Here are the most essential safety rules to set:

  • Ensure students carefully listen to and follow instructions.
  • Students should properly wear appropriate PPE.
  • All bags and coats should be stored away with no eating or drinking.
  • Students should not use any tools or machinery until they have been instructed. A member of staff should supervise students using a machine and ensure there are no distractions.
  • Students should be encouraged to report any damage, faults, or accidents to the teacher immediately.
  • Keep workbenches tidy by returning any tools or equipment once finished using them.
  • Running should not be allowed and sufficient spacing between students during practical activities.
  • Students should not be left unattended at any time inside a workshop.
  • Loose jewellery must be removed and long hair tied back.

Risk assessments essentials

Risk assessments are a vital part of ensuring safety in design technology workshops. These are documents that identify potential risks and outline solutions or control methods for preventing or minimising such risks. Such documents are usually completed by the Head of Department.

Every DT department should continually update and revise their risk assessments according to the workshop environment and teaching curriculum. This allows you to put necessary precautions in place to prevent harm or ill health.

Three main components need to go into an effective risk assessment: hazard, risk, and control. An example of a risk assessment document would look like this:

Hazard/riskWho is at risk?LikelihoodRisk severityControl measure(s)
Trip or fallStudents StaffPossibleMedium– Ensure work areas are clear
– No obstructions in walkways
– Put coats and bags away before the lesson starts
– Tuck stools underneath workbenches
Using glue, glue guns, or other adhesives   Can cause burns, skin/eye irritation, allergies, etc.Students StaffPossibleHigh– Teacher provides clear instructions first
– Spray adhesives only used by staff
– Glue guns should be low-melt
– Non-toxic water-based glues should be used
– A trained first aider should be on hand in the event of skin/eye contamination
Use of woodworking tools   Sawdust inhaling, eye damage, cuts, etc.Students StaffPossibleHigh– Ensure suitable PPE, such as goggles and face masks
– Regular maintenance and testing of machinery
– Ensure sufficient ventilationTeachers provide clear instructions before using any tools/machinery
– Equipment should be accounted for
– Proper use of clamps
– Suitable staff supervision

Creating and maintaining risk assessments

The first step of any risk assessment is to identify a potential risk or hazard. In a school DT workshop, there are many potential risks or hazards that can occur, with varying levels of severity. Anything that can cause harm to yourself or others is a risk.

Given the wide range of potential risks, multiple assessments may be necessary. For example, high-risk equipment or tools, such as woodworking machinery, may have a separate risk assessment.

Once you have identified a risk or hazard, you need to state this in the risk assessment. You should also detail the potential risks of the injury, such as someone burning themselves using a glue gun or soldering iron.

The last step of a risk assessment is the most crucial as it details the steps or processes you will put in place to prevent or minimise the impact of said risk. This stage is usually the hardest as it requires some careful thought and planning.

If students will be using any hazardous substances, the risk assessment should be in line with relevant COSHH regulations. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) ensure the safe use of hazardous substances to prevent ill health or injury. This can range from the fumes given off by glue guns to adhesives and paints.

Once the risks and control measures have been identified, the school is responsible for carrying out any necessary procedures, such as machinery maintenance or ensuring staff are appropriately trained.

After completing the risk assessment, some essential details need to be provided at the end:

  • The date of the review
  • The name of the person who carried out the risk assessment
  • The person’s signature
  • The person who received the risk assessment
  • The reviewer’s signature
  • The next review date for the risk assessment

Following the essentials of safety and risk assessments in Design Technology outlined above will help to ensure staff and students are safe during practical activities. With so many risks and hazards, ensuring you adhere to the guidelines and safe practices will create a conducive and safe learning environment.