CLEAPSS Guidance -The Small Print

Respiratory Protective equipment (RPE)


We were recently sent a copy of a leaflet that had been distributed to a number of colleges.


This leaflet carries logos for a number of organisations, including the HSE.


It carried what it states as an updated position, in terms of handling timber materials and the associated risks from inhaling wood dust.


It states that all users of machines working on timber products must now wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), regardless of the effectiveness of any associated Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).


We have raised this with HSE, as it is a significant change to the existing guidance, which is that RPE should only be considered as a last resort, and not as a substitute for effective LEV.


We will report back on any developments in this area as we hear them.


In the meantime our advice on RPE can be found in CLEAPSS guide GL310 Guide to respiratory protective equipment in D&T and science: 

Situations where RPE is specifically advised:


The room must be well ventilated, or work carried out outside, users may still require RPE to protect, them from dust. see:

When mixing dry cement with water, the operation should be carried out by the teacher or technician and RPE should be worn to avoid breathing in the dry cement dust, see: 

Sanders with local extraction should be used, but as the surface areas are too large for general extraction, the operator may still require RPE, see: 

Local extraction must be used, but the operator may again also require RPE. 

The technician will need to wear RPE.

Immediate remedial measures (IRM)


Since our major revision of the MRATs in 2019, new advice has emerged from various agencies regarding irrigation of burns and chemical splashes as part of IRM (often incorrectly referred to as ‘First Aid’)


The new guidance is now:


Both of these actions should be continued until further advice or support is arranged which may include contacting the first aider or by calling NHS 111.

If you are supervising practical work, you should review the relevant MRAT and take note of the updated Immediate Remedial Measures notes.

The index of all 205 MRATs, on the website, clearly indicates those MRATs which have been updated in some way:


In the Summer edition, we will be reporting back on our developments with different formats for Futureminds, if you want to join the conversation about this, sign up to our mailing list:

We will also have articles from teachers and technicians about their work in D&T, food and Art, as well as content provided by suppliers and those working to support these subjects across the UK and overseas.



If you are interested in contributing to Futureminds, please get in touch: mailto:dt@cleapss.org.uk