Visual Arts & Technologies

Safety Training in Design & Technology

Article by Mike Lampard, Middle School Technologies Coordinator 

Safety in the Design & Technology workshops is one of our highest priorities. Not only do we want to create a safe working environment for our students, but we also want to teach them how to use a range of tools, equipment and machines safely for when they are working beyond school, whether that be in a hobby or DIY environment or in the world of work. A culture of safety is something that we have worked hard over the years to develop. 

We have a comprehensive training regime that commences in Middle School and progresses at each year level. Students at Year 6, for example, will learn how to safely use a drill press and battery drill, building on these skills in Year 7 before expanding in Year 8 to include safe use of the belt & disc sander, larger Forstner bits in the drill press and the bobbin sander. 

In Senior Schools students learn to use our more restricted machines under supervision. All training involves instruction and demonstrations, and the students are required to complete safety training modules. 

1:1 instruction then occurs as students become familiar with the use of any machine. 

Alongside this, students learn about safety zones, how to safely handle and carry tools, risk assessments and safe operating procedures.