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Twenty years
ago newly qualified technology teachers were sent on detailed Health and
Safety courses. Experienced and qualified specialists ran these courses
and attendees gained certificates. The courses prepared teachers well for
teaching in a workshop.
Today’s technology teachers are sent on Risk Assessment courses, which
deal with all the paper work relating to assessing risk in the workshop.
The courses do not appear to deal with actual practical use of machines
and equipment. Consequently, teachers come back from these courses able to
fill out safety forms rather than able to give good advice to pupils relating to
the safe use of machines and equipment.
Risk Assessment courses are run by the reputable organisation DATA, who prepare teachers well for the necessary paper work (DATA
are WATT recommended).
It is time for the Department for Education to send Technology teachers on
recognised safety courses as well as form filling /risk assessment
courses? Relying on risk assessment courses does not lead to safety in a
workshop, teachers must know how to operate machines safely as well.
Is the Department for Education only concerned with covering itself with
paper work rather than giving technology teachers the safety training they
deserve?
(WATT recommend the use of DATA for risk
assessment work and consultations) |
