Are there age restrictions relating to the use of machines by pupils in school workshops?
A. We would advise schools to follow the guidance provided in ‘BS4163:2007 Health and safety for design and technology in schools and similar establishments – Code of practice’, i.e.: ‘The school or similar establishment should decide which machine is suitable for use by each group of students. The decision should be based on student maturity and competence, the level of supervision, and local authority/employer and national guidelines’ (page 54). ‘Students should only work in a high-risk area where it is fully under the control of a person competent to work in the area (i.e. a person with demonstrated competency through the D&T Association/TDA training scheme) and, where appropriate, risk assessments have been carried out taking into account the students’ capabilities’ (page 29). ‘For specific higher risk activities training and assessment of individual students is necessary and training records need to be kept’ (page 29). ‘Care should be taken to ensure that risk assessments are carr
