Health and Safety Design Technology Training

The importance of health and safety training

Health and safety in design technology workshops are vital to protect staff and students during practical work. Given the wide range of DT tools and equipment that will be used, safety rules for a workshop, risk assessments, and ground rules must be in place to prevent injury or harm.

There are many reasons why ensuring all staff are trained in health and safety for in the workshop:

• Maintain workshop safety, such as tucking loose clothing and wearing suitable PPE
• Set and follow the workshop safety rules
• Ensure students and staff operate machinery safely
• Staff can identify hazards and find a suitable way to reduce, prevent, or minimise injury
• Contributes towards ensuring all staff are component in workshop health and safety
• Maintain safe usage of DT equipment during practical exercises
• Safe use of equipment to minimise the risk of injury, such as lifting equipment

Health and safety compliance

Health and safety compliance plays a large role in minimising the risk and ensuring a safe workshop environment. The BS 4163:2021+A1:2022 is the latest code of practice that schools should follow to prevent accidents and dangerous occurrences.

The guidance outlined in BS 4163:2021+A1:2022 covers a range of different aspects, including general guidance on room layout, flooring, lighting, and signage, alongside specific guidance on machinery and equipment. It also provides details of the D&TA H&S training and accreditation scheme.

Many changes and revisions were made in this updated code of practice, including:

• Training requirements for supervising staff
• Ventilation requirements
• Greater detail on COSHH requirements for materials and processes
• Updated guidelines on injection and extrusion moulding machines
• Guidance on the latest requirements for gas in schools
• Requirements for CO2 monitoring of new and refurbished facilities
• Guidance on using hot melt glue guns

BS 4163:2021+A1:2022 offers detailed guidance for those responsible for planning services, equipment, and machinery in design and technology facilities across all educational institutions.

The standard addresses the safe use and provision of equipment, machine tools, materials, and chemicals, as well as personal protective measures and safety management, with a specific focus on the hazards.

There are main sections outlined in this guidance:

• Health and Safety Management – the use of risk assessments and the duties in place under relevant health and safety legislation.
• Planning and Services – covers a range of factors, including class size, layout, furniture, safe storage of substances, and adherence with Workplace Regulation 1992, alongside advice on installing and managing services, such as compressed air, gas, and water.
• Teaching Areas, Equipment, Tools, and Processes – details different hazards with various workshop equipment, alongside recommending several risk control measures.
• Materials – details different materials used in the workshop, alongside hazards and risk control measures.

The training and accreditation training by the Design and Technology Association (D&TA) supports the guidelines outlined in BS 4163:2021+A1:2022. D&TA-approved health and safety training is available from Learning Space Solutions.

Accredited Health and Safety Training

Accredited health and safety training is vital for maintaining the well-being of staff and students in school environments. This is important in subjects like design technology, where practical work with machinery and tools presents risks. Schools must ensure that health and safety measures adhere to legislation. Accredited training is one way to achieve this.

Accredited training refers to courses reviewed and approved by recognised professional bodies, such as the D&TA (D&TA) or CLEAPSS. This ensures training meets high standards of quality and relevance. Accredited health and safety courses are designed to help schools adhere to legal requirements and create safer learning environments.

These courses cover specific topics and undergo a rigorous appraisal process before receiving accreditation. The benefits include empowering staff, boosting their confidence in managing risks, and enhancing the overall learning experience for students. While accredited training is more expensive, it offers significant advantages in terms of quality.

In DT departments, where students and staff work with dangerous equipment, accredited training is important. It helps ensure compliance with safety regulations, trains staff to identify and control risks, and provides continuing professional development (CPD). These courses offer practical, hands-on experiences that allow staff to use machines and tools in educational settings.

Two key providers of accredited health and safety training for schools are the D&TA and CLEAPSS. The D&TA offers a range of training courses, including CPD programs and refresher courses, focusing on health and safety training for schools. CLEAPSS also provides health and safety training and support for practical science and technology in schools, though its offerings are not as extensive as the D&TA’s.

Our training courses from Learning Space Solutions, in partnership with Designed By Me Consultancy, offer training to gain or renew a D&TA-accredited certification. These courses cater to international schools and include machinery training, technician training, health and safety audits, and skills-based training.

The D&TA’s machine training course ensures that staff work according to BS4163, the standard code of practice for DT in schools. Health and safety audits help schools assess compliance with regulations and best practices, ensuring that DT departments maintain safe environments.

Accredited health and safety training plays a crucial role in creating secure, effective learning environments, benefiting both staff and students in DT departments.

DT machinery testing and maintenance

Alongside ensuring all staff are trained, ensuring the safe working order of all equipment and machinery is also vital. Regular testing and maintenance ensure that all equipment and machinery are safe and in working order.

At Learning Space Solutions, we provide DT machine maintenance. All tests are carried out by a qualified technician and ensure that all machinery is in safe working order. This includes all emergency stop button functions, checking compliance, and fulfilling any HSE requirements.

Health and safety design technology training and machinery testing are two vital components that every school should keep on top of. Alongside setting and adhering to rules in a workshop, all these factors ensure that students and staff can achieve the best learning outcomes with limited risk.