Teachers and Technicians

Craft, Design and Technogy Deparments contain a number of hazards which, if not properly managed, can result in injury or long-term illness.  These pages provide useful information on the hazards, relevant legislation and best practice.

Hazardous Substances

There are a number of hazardous substances produced in Craft, Design and Technogy Departments including wood dust, weld and brazing fume, products of combustion from forges, metal grinding dust, dust from polishers and spay paint. 

The use of such substances is governed by The Control of Hazardous Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.  These regulations state that an employer must:

• Carry out a risk assesment
• Provide Local Exhaust Ventillation (LEV)
• Have the LEV system tested annually
• Ensure that the LEV system is opperating effectively at all times.

For further information on the COSHH regulations and LEV please click here or select from the menu on the left.

Workshop Machinery

The supply, installation and use of workshop machinery is governed by a variety of legislation and accompanying guidance. including

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Building Bulletin 81: Design and Technology Association in Secondary Schools
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• Safe use of woodworking machinery. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as applied to woodworking machinery. Approved Code of Practice and guidance
• BS4163 Health and safety for design and technology in schools and similar establishments. Code of practice

For further information on the above regulations and how they apply to you please click here or select from the menu on the left.

Is My Department Safe and Compliant with the Law?

Although the various regulations and guidance are complex and require testing and auding by competent persons the following checklist can be used as a quick guide.

• Does all the machinery that produces fine wood dust (saws, sanders, woodlathes, planers) have extraction (LEV)?
• Is the extraction system tested annually and are the reports satisfactory?
• Is the extraction system maintained and checked regularly?  If the system has filters are they changed on a regular basis?
• Does the extraction system have a flowrate meter or pressure gauge so that you can tell that it is working properly?
• Do you have a vacuum system for cleaning wood dust from floors and benches (dry brushing of wood dust is prohibited)?
• Does all the machinery have conveniently positioned, mushroom headed emergency stop buttons?
• Is all the machinery adequetely guarded?
• Is the gas equipment (forges and crucibles) tested annually by a GasSafe registered engineer?

How can AES help?

AES can provide a range of services to help ensure that your department is safe and maintained properly.  We provide modern extraction systems (including the unique C-VAC system) and workshop machinery and can provide a range of inspection and testing services to suit your needs.  For further information please browse the related services from the menu on the right.