Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section 9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Section A: Health and Safety Law and Health and Safety Responsibilities
September 2007
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR TEACHERS OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
IN
SCHOOLS TEACHING SECONDARY DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
SECTION A: HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW AND HEALTH AND
SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
This Code of Practice must be kept and in the Design and Technology
department of all secondary and special schools in Buckinghamshire. It
must be available for inspection by visiting HSE Inspectors, County
Council Officers, County Council Advisers, OFSTED Inspectors, and
Safety Representatives. It should be kept in a place where staff can
readily gain access to it.
Contents
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A1
Why a code of practice for teachers of design and technology is
needed
Health and safety responsibilities of all staff in secondary schools
Responsibilities of all employees
Responsibilities of teachers
Responsibilities of heads of design and technology departments
WHY A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR TEACHERS OF DESIGN AND
TECHNOLOGY IS NEEDED
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 ( HSW Act) requires all
employers to produce an up to date written statement of Health and Safety
Policy. The policy statement must include the arrangements for carrying out
the policy. The statement and all revisions of it must be brought to the
attention of employees.
All Design and Technology departments should be using the latest British
Standard BS 4163:2007 and CLEAPSS Model Risk Assessments in
Design & Technology to inform their Health & Safety practice.
The code of practice describes some of the arrangements made by the LA to
ensure effective health and safety management in its schools. It is also
intended to set out good practice recommended for inclusion in each school's
health and safety arrangements.
DCSF Aministrative Memorandum 7/88 Education Reform Act : Local
Management of Schools makes it clear that LAs continue to have a duty to
issue guidance on health and safety and that governing bodies and school
staff have a duty to comply with it.
All design and technology staff must be familiar with this code of
practice and to check their understanding of it by referring to it regularly
A1 of A6
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section 9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Section A: Health and Safety Law and Health and Safety Responsibilities
September 2007
when planning courses and lessons within the design and technology
department. Experienced staff should assist those less experienced to
promote health and safety in their work.
A2 HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAFF IN
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
The HSW Act requires all members of staff in design and technology
departments to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves
and other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work
including other teaching staff, pupils, ancillary staff, cleaning staff and visitors
to the school.
The LA Health and Safety Policy Statement (part of the County Council Health
and Safety Policy Statement) requires Governing Bodies to draw up a Health
and Safety Policy Statement for their School. A copy of the LA policy
statement can be found in the school's Health and Safety Handbook.
The Policy Statement includes a model policy statement for schools which
may be adopted or adapted by Governing Bodies. However, Governors may
not adopt lower standards than those recommended by the Director of
Education. An extract from the Model Policy Statement setting out the
responsibilities of all staff, teachers and employees with specific
responsibilities is set out below:
A3
RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES
The HSW Act and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations require
every employee while at work:

To take care for the health and safety of himself/herself and of other
persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work.

To co-operate with the employer in all matters of health and safety as to
enable the law to be complied with.

Not to recklessly or intentionally interfere with or misuse anything
provided for health and safety at work.

Report all instances of serious or imminent danger.

Report shortcomings in the employer's provision on health and safety
matters.
Each employee is also responsible for co-operating with his line manager and
observing the instructions and advice on health and safety matters.
There is a general duty on every employee to report, either to his/her line
manager or safety representative, all matters which he/she considers a
hazard to health and safety in the workplace and to take such immediate
A2 of A6
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section 9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Section A: Health and Safety Law and Health and Safety Responsibilities
September 2007
action as is necessary, where this is reasonably practicable (e.g. erect a
clearly written notice) to render the hazard safe.

To contact their supervisor should they notice an unhealthy or dangerous
situation. It is important that employees do not under any circumstances
carry out operations which could cause danger to themselves or
compromise the safety of other persons.

To attend safety training courses as and when arranged. No person
should undertake to do any hazardous job for which they have not been
trained.
A4
RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS
In addition to the duties placed on all employees by the Health and Safety at
Work etc Act 1974, responsibility for the care of pupils under their supervision
places additional duties on teachers. Amongst responsibilities which may be
appropriate to assign to a teacher are the following:A class teacher should:
 Have the necessary recognised and accredited Health and Safety training
recommended by The Design and Technology Association www.data.org.uk
covering the subject they are teaching. For example for Resistant Materials
this includes Wood and Metal Machining and for Food Technology Level 2
Food Safety. For further details contact Julie Halley-Design and
Technology Consultant 01296 334994 jhalley@buckscc.gov.uk
 Carry out and record Risk Assessments for all activities-examples can be
found on The Buckinghamshire Grid for Learning www.bucksgfl.org.uk/dandt

Check that classroom/work area, equipment and substances are safe
before use.

Be aware of safe systems of work to be adopted in his/her teaching area
and to ensure that they are applied;

Be aware of the emergency procedures and carry them out when
necessary;

Ensure that pupils only undertake work for which they have had adequate
instruction and training and that they are properly supervised whilst doing
it.

Give clear instructions and warning of hazards and safety measures
before work starts and to remind pupils of them as and when necessary,
(notices, posters, work sheets etc are not enough on their own);

Ensure personal protective equipment and clothing is used where
A3 of A6
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section 9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Section A: Health and Safety Law and Health and Safety Responsibilities
September 2007
appropriate. This includes appropriate footwear, apron/protective overall,
hair tied back, no jewellery, appropriate eye and face protection such as
goggles/visors etc and no loose clothing that could catch in machinery.

NB
These rules apply to students who are allocated to the school for
teaching practice/observation. They must be made aware of their
responsibilities for health and safety as soon as is reasonably
practicable.
A5
RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEADS OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENTS
The school's organisation for ensuring effective health and safety
management should be set out in its health and safety statement. The
following responsibilities are recommended as being appropriate to be
delegated to a Head of a Design and Technology Department:

to understand their health and safety responsibilities and how these relate
to the tasks of the school’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator;

to comply with the LA Code of Practice for Teachers of Design and
Technology as far as it is within their power to do so and to ensure that
members of their department comply with it also;

to ensure that they have received sufficient training In health and safety
management. Completion of IOSH Managing Safely is strongly advised;

to comply with any code of practice drawn up by the Governing Body of
the school;

to ensure that that all staff read this code of practice and know where it is
kept.
He/she must circulate any amendments made to it by
himself/herself or the LEA and obtain signatures to indicate the staff have
seen it;

to ensure that a procedure whereby hazards etc which staff become
aware of from other reputable and relevant sources are brought to the
attention of all staff;

to be the focal point for day to day references on safety matters within the
design and technology department and give advice or indicate sources of
advice for teachers of technology;

to co-ordinate the implementation of safety procedures within the design
and technology department;
A4 of A6
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section 9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Section A: Health and Safety Law and Health and Safety Responsibilities
September 2007

to maintain contact with outside agencies such as CLEAPSS (School
Science Service) and the
National Association of Advisers and
Inspectors in Design and Technology ( NAAIDT ), www.naaidt.org.uk,
DATA, The Design and Technology Association, www.data.org.uk,
National Association of Teachers of Home Economics ( NATHE ) who are
able to offer expert safety advice;

to report all known hazards to the Headteacher or the School’s appointed
Health and Safety co-ordinator;

to stop any practices or the use of any plant, tools, equipment, machinery
which he/she considers to be unsafe until satisfied that it is safe;

to seek specialist advice when necessary from the Health and Safety
Team or Consultant for Design and Technology;

to make recommendations to the Headteacher for additions or
improvements to plant, tools, equipment, machinery etc which is
dangerous or potentially so;

to
arrange
or
co-operate
with
(as
specified
by
the
Governors/Headteacher) a health and safety inspection of the department
at least once per term;

to ensure that he/she is kept informed of accidents and hazardous
situations and that the correct reporting procedures are followed by staff
of the department;

to review from time to time the provision of first aid facilities and
emergency procedures within the department;

to attend health and safety training courses as and when arranged. No
person should undertake to do any hazardous job for which they have not
been trained;

to keep the health and safety training for all staff current and up to date,
for example, appropriate wood and metal machining, (update every 5
years) food hygiene (update every 3 years).

to report on health and safety matters within the department to the
Headteacher;

to co-operate with the County Consultant for Design and Technology and
the Health and Safety Team in maintaining high standards of health and
safety awareness.

to ensure that written emergency procedures are in place for dealing with
situations where there is a risk of serious and imminent danger including
A5 of A6
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section 9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Section A: Health and Safety Law and Health and Safety Responsibilities
September 2007
danger to employees and other persons who are not employees but who
may be affected, for example, pupils.
These should include details of procedures turning off electricity and gas
supplies at the main switch or valve.
Where employees are allocated specific tasks to perform in an emergency
details of their role should be include in the procedure. They should be
adequately trained for any tasks they are expected to perform.
BS4163:2007 States
‘ Ignoring or attempting to overrule the standard could result in
substantial legal consequences should someone be injured or adversely
affected by such a decision.’
A6 of A6