Is it a requirement that goggles are now required for hand working processes?
A. The decision as to whether eye protection should be worn for hand working processes is very much a matter for the school to address through a risk assessment of the different activities in which students are engaged. Clearly there is an expectation that appropriate eye protection will be worn for all machining processes. Under normal circumstances it would not be usual practice for students to wear eye protection for activities using hand tools, such as sanding, filing etc. It would be expected that when students are instructed on how to sand, file etc. they would be advised of the danger of blowing dust, chips etc. towards others, who might for example be working opposite them. Clearly if there was evidence in the department of accidents caused as a result of these kinds of activities, it would be then that the department would be expected to review their risk assessment on the use of hand tools in the light of their current working practice.
