The head of a Technology department has a responsibility to ensure that safe working conditions exist in the areas for which he / she is responsible. The safety assessments that follow are intended to provide one method by which the head of department can survey a range of safety issues and identify those that require attention. It is recommended that all personnel who use the relevant facilities, inclusive of technicians should take part in the assessments.

Each assessment consists of a series of questions arranged in sets that cover general practice in the technology accommodation as well as individual machines. A YES answer means that you are satisfied that safe conditions or practices exist. A NO answer will mean that some remedial action is necessary.

It is recommended that a full safety audit be carried out at least once a year, however safety should be everyone's first concern and some issues raised may need to be addressed on a more frequent basis.

The assessments have been based on BS4163: 2000, and 'Safety in School Workshops - DENI Safety Series No. 10 (1991)'. They will be reviewed and upgraded as and when necessary.

The completion of the health and safety assessments does not imply that the conditions are safe or that the arrangements for welfare at work are satisfactory in all other respects. It is essential that where a safety assessment identifies problems, these are acted upon promptly.

Copies of Government publications, Health and Safety at Work Guidance and British Standards may be accessed through the SELB Information Service, 113 Church Street, Portadown, BT62 3DB, Tel: 028 38 335296