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DT Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your Design & Technology workshop, the machinery you use and the year groups taught — we generate a fully written, UK-compliant DT risk assessment covering workshop machinery, tools and materials in minutes, ready for Ofsted and insurance purposes.
Used by DT teachers, heads of department and school business managers across the UK
🪚 Got pupils using pillar drills, band saws or a laser cutter this term? Mention the specific machinery and age group — we'll include machine-specific guarding, supervision ratios and safe operating procedures required under PUWER 1998.
Legal requirements for DT departments
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require schools to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of all activities that could cause harm. Regulation 3(1) places this duty on the employer — usually the local authority, academy trust or governing body — and DT workshops, with their machinery, cutting tools, adhesives and finishes, present some of the highest-risk teaching environments in any school.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require that machinery used in DT lessons, including pillar drills, band saws, lathes and sanders, is suitable for its purpose, properly maintained, fitted with appropriate guarding, and only used by people who have received adequate training and information. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH 2002) similarly apply to wood dust, adhesives, paints, solvents and soldering fumes commonly found in DT settings.
Guidance from CLEAPSS and the Design and Technology Association (DATA) is widely used by UK schools to interpret these statutory duties for practical DT teaching, covering machine access by age and ability, PPE requirements, and workshop layout. A written risk assessment covering these specific hazards is expected by Ofsted inspectors, local authorities and school insurers — see our ultimate guide to risk assessment for a full breakdown of the process, or check whether you need one for your specific setup.
How it works
1. Describe your workshop
Tell us the machinery, tools and materials your department uses, the year groups taught and any specific activities such as laser cutting, soldering or food preparation. We can also build your assessment using our AI risk assessment generator for fast, accurate results.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant DT risk assessment referencing PUWER 1998, COSHH 2002 and CLEAPSS/DATA safety guidance.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Share it with your senior leadership team, present it at Ofsted inspection, or file it for insurance and compliance purposes. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every DT risk assessment is written in full — covering all workshop and classroom hazards relevant to your department.
Pillar drills, band saws, scroll saws and lathes — guarding and safe use
Hand tools — chisels, saws, craft knives, soldering irons
Sanding machines and dust extraction requirements
3D printers and laser cutters — fume and burn hazards
CNC machinery and router safety
COSHH — wood dust, adhesives, paints, solvents and fumes
Food technology hazards — knives, hobs, allergens, hygiene
Electronics — soldering, low-voltage circuits, battery safety
Supervision ratios by year group and machine type
PPE requirements — eye protection, aprons, dust masks
Workshop layout, fire exits and emergency isolation switches
Manual handling of materials, stock and equipment
Pupil training and authorised machine-user records
Maintenance and inspection schedules under PUWER 1998
Works for
From resistant materials to food technology, Anyrisks covers every area of the DT curriculum.
What customers say
"Our department has a pillar drill, band saw and a new laser cutter. Anyrisks produced a risk assessment covering all three in minutes — something that used to take me an evening per machine."
Dave Whitfield
Head of DT, secondary school, Yorkshire
"Ofsted asked to see our workshop risk assessments during a deep dive. Having something specific, written and properly referenced to PUWER made the whole conversation much easier."
Rachel Dunmore
Deputy head, academy trust, West Midlands
"I teach food technology and resistant materials across three year groups. Anyrisks handled both subjects with completely different hazard profiles, which generic templates never managed to do."
Priya Nair
DT teacher, comprehensive school, Greater London
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| PUWER 1998 machinery guarding referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH 2002 dust, adhesive and fume controls included | ✓ | ✗ |
| CLEAPSS/DATA guidance aligned | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers all DT disciplines, not just one | ✓ | ✗ |
| Supervision ratios by year group included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment · Risk assessment legal requirements · AI risk assessment generator
Do schools need a specific risk assessment for DT workshops?
Yes. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require every school to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for activities involving significant risk, and DT workshops with machinery, tools and materials fall squarely into this category. A generic whole-school risk assessment is not sufficient — Ofsted and insurers expect a specific, written DT risk assessment covering machinery, tools and workshop layout.
Does this cover specific machinery like pillar drills, band saws and lathes?
Yes — describe the machinery used in your DT department (pillar drills, scroll saws, band saws, lathes, sanders, hot wire cutters, 3D printers, laser cutters) and the assessment will include machine-specific hazards, guarding requirements and safe operating procedures referencing PUWER 1998.
Is this suitable for CDT, resistant materials and food technology lessons?
Yes — Anyrisks covers the full range of DT disciplines including resistant materials, textiles, electronics, food technology and graphics. Describe the specific lesson or activity and the assessment will be tailored to the tools, equipment and materials actually used.
Will it cover supervision ratios and pupil age groups?
Yes — mention the year group and class size and the assessment will include appropriate supervision levels, age-appropriate machine access restrictions and guidance aligned with CLEAPSS and DATA (Design and Technology Association) recommendations.
Does it reference CLEAPSS or DATA guidance?
Anyrisks assessments are written to align with the safety principles published by CLEAPSS and the Design and Technology Association (DATA), alongside statutory requirements under PUWER 1998 and COSHH 2002. These bodies are the recognised source of specialist DT safety guidance used by UK schools.
Is this accepted by Ofsted and school insurers?
Yes — Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced risk assessment in the format expected by Ofsted inspectors, local authorities and school insurance providers. It documents the specific hazards, controls and responsible persons required for compliance.
Can I generate one for a new piece of equipment mid-term?
Yes — if your department acquires new equipment such as a laser cutter or 3D printer, simply describe it and generate a new, specific risk assessment in minutes rather than waiting for the next scheduled review.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your DT workshop, the equipment and activities involved, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced DT risk assessment instantly, ready to download as PDF and Word.