The Health and Safety ar Work ect. Act 1974 places a general duty on employers to ensure, as far as reasonably practible, the health and safety of employees and other persons affected by their activities.

This British Standard code of practice provides recommentdations and guidance for persons responsible for planning services, equipment and machinery and for persons who may use these in design and technology facilities in schools and similar establishments. Design and technology facilities include all teaching areas and preparation areas where materials are maniuplated and processed, equipment is used and design and/or manufacturing takes place (e.g. food, textiles, graphics, electronics, technology, craft, engineering, manufacturing and computer areas).

This code of practice is primarily for protection of students, employees, trainee teachers and other adults acrossthe full range of design and technology teaching areas. Implementation of this code of practice is not a legal requirement but it does provide one means of demonstrating that reasonably practicable steps have been taken to minimize risks from the machinery, equipment, processes and materials used.