Work Equipment Suitability and Selection Procedure

This procedure applies conditionally to maintained and academy schools in England that provide or use work equipment in classrooms, workshops, laboratories, kitchens, grounds or maintenance activities.

Before selecting equipment

The person proposing equipment must describe the intended job and identify the workplace conditions in which the equipment will be used. The proposal must also identify the people who will use or be affected by the equipment and the health and safety risks arising from its use.

Record the proposed equipment and its intended use in [equipment register location]. Where a risk assessment is required for the proposed use, record or link it at [risk assessment location].

Suitability decision

The responsible person, [responsible role], must decide whether the equipment is suitable for the job, the workplace conditions, the intended users and the identified health and safety risks.

Select and provide the right equipment for the job. Do not proceed with equipment where the identified risks have not been prevented or controlled. Record the decision and the controls in the school's equipment and procurement records.

Use, restrictions and communication

Before the equipment is used, define its suitable use, any restrictions, and the controls required for its use. Communicate this information to the people who will use the equipment or may be affected by it.

Ensure that work equipment is safely used by trained people. Where a person has not received the training needed for safe use, do not permit that person to use the equipment.

Records

Keep the equipment inventory, suitability and risk assessment records, procurement or specification records, and records showing how identified risks are controlled at [equipment register location] or in the linked school record system.

Maintaining suitability

Work equipment must be inspected and maintained so that it remains safe. The applicable inspection and maintenance arrangements for each item must be recorded with the equipment information.

Responsibilities

The school must apply this procedure where it provides or uses work equipment at work, including equipment used by staff in teaching, maintenance, catering, cleaning, grounds work or administration. The person controlling the equipment must ensure that the equipment is suitable for the job and that risks arising from its use are prevented or controlled.