Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment L 01: Lapidary Equipment
September 2007
Risk Assessment L 01: Lapidary Equipment
ESTABLISHMENT
DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL TEACHING SECONDARY DESIGN AND
TECHNOLOGY
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
WORK ACTIVITY
USE OF LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT
HAZARDS

WHO MIGHT BE
HARMED
(EMPLOYEES)
Grinding and polishing stones produces a very fine
dust that can cause serious respiratory irritation.
 Pieces of stone can be ejected from the machine.
 The work area and can become wet and slippery.
 Oil can leak from the machine
Design and Technology Teachers
Design and Technology Teaching Assistants
Design and Technology Assistants
WHO MIGHT BE
HARMED
(NONEMPLOYEES)
Pupils and Students.
Visitors
Contractors.
IS ANYONE AT
SPECIAL RISK
Persons working alone
Inexperienced teachers
Persons who have not been trained and certificated
within the past five years.
Persons who use the equipment infrequently
Unauthorised users, for example, sire manager,
caretakers
Grinding Unit
 Abrasive wheels on the grinding unit should be run
in water at all times to ensure that dust particles
are carried away safely and do not become
airborne.
 Must be taken in disposing of slurry from the
grinding as slurry can block the drainage systems.
 Before disposal waste should be allowed to settle
and water should be drained off and solids
removed.
 Water should be drained from the trough when the
unit is not in use
 a risk assessment should be carried out and
suitable personal protective clothing should be
provided
 Eye protection must be worn.
 Stone should be mounted on a dop stick for
grinding.
 Stone should not be held by hand.
EXISTING
PRECAUTIONS
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Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment L 01: Lapidary Equipment
September 2007
Cutting Unit
 Care must be taken to make sure that the
Diamond saw on the cutting unit is true.
 A risk assessment should be carried out and
suitable personal protective clothing provided.
 Eye protection must be worn.
 Cutting oil or water should cool the saw blade.
 Care must be taken to make sure that stone dust
is carried away safely.
 Cutting oil spilt on the bench top or floor, should be
cleaned away immediately
FURTHER ACTION
REQUIRED TO
CONTROL RISK
ACTION BY
PERSON
ACTION BY DATE
DATE REVISION
OF ASSESSMENT
DUE
ASSESSED BY
DATE
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