This section provides guidance on siting, safety guards and devices, regarding the safe working practices and maintenance of specialist tools and equipment.
Historically, art and design departments have not been equipped with fixed position, powered woodworking equipment, but have acquired powered hand tools. Over recent years there has been closer working relationships between art and design and D&T departments with teachers operating across both subjects. This brings with it the need for wider understanding of health and safety requirements and practices, along with safety training and equipment in both departments being suitably maintained and fully compliant with health and safety regulations. At the same time, increasing numbers of art and design departments are resuming the use of kilns, ceramics and textiles activities or re-equipping for processes needing health and safety oversight.
Schools and colleges with woodworking machines will need to comply with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998). They will be able to do this either by installing new machinery that meets the braking requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998), or by upgrading their machinery so that braking and dust extraction requirements are met.
To avoid unnecessary modifications to equipment, schools should consider CLEAPSS guidance GL 93 TB 03/10 Safe condition of D&T machines in schools.
Risk assessments of the classroom remains a requirement, and if that risk assessment indicates that a wall mounted emergency stop is necessary due to the special circumstances within the classroom environment, then the school/college will need to satisfy themselves that the emergency stop allows compliance with PUWER. The risk assessment will also need to adequately address the risk from dust and of kick-back and classroom management.
L114 2014 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (as applied to woodworking machinery). HSE guidance on Safe use of woodworking machinery.
HSE guidance on woodworking and dust extraction. A tale of two schools - case study.
HSE guidance on Retrofitting woodworking machine brakes.
Therefore all fixed machinery and equipment must meet the requirements of all safety regulations and expert advice should be sought before fixing positions. All machinery must be to a standard to meet statutory regulations, and be subject to regular, systematic maintenance. Building Bulletin 81 Design and Technology Accommodation in Secondary Schools, provides guidance on safe positioning of fixed powered machines.
