OCR A-level Design & Technology: Product Design (H406) · Health and Safety
Mini-Lesson
Health and Safety
This mini-lesson covers Health and Safety for OCR A-level Product Design: hazard versus risk, the HSE five steps of risk assessment, the hierarchy of control, COSHH and PPE.
You will score a risk rating, meet COSHH and PPE, and sort hazards from controls. Press Start to begin.
Hazard vs risk
Hazard, risk and risk assessment
Two terms to keep separate:
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.
A risk is the chance that the hazard causes harm, and how serious it would be.
The HSE five steps of risk assessment: identify hazards; decide who might be harmed; evaluate risks and controls; record and act; review.
Quick check
Hazard or risk?
?A workshop has an open vat of solvent. Which correctly separates hazard from risk?
Controls
Risk rating and the hierarchy of control
Risks can be scored so the worst are tackled first:
risk rating = likelihood x severityeach rated, for example, 1 (low) to 5 (high)
Controls follow the hierarchy of control: eliminate or substitute, then engineering controls (guards, extraction), then administrative controls (training, signage), and finally PPE as a last resort.
Calculate
Your turn — risk rating
1A hazard is scored for likelihood = 2 and severity = 5 (each 1-5). Risk rating = likelihood x severity. Calculate the risk rating.
Hint: 2 x 5.
COSHH & PPE
COSHH and PPE
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) requires exposure to hazardous substances to be assessed and controlled:
Dusts (such as MDF and wood dust), solvents, adhesives and fumes.
Controls include local exhaust ventilation (LEV), safe storage and correct disposal.
PPE is the final barrier: goggles, ear defenders, dust masks/respirators, gloves and safety footwear.
Quick check
What does COSHH cover?
?Which workshop risk does COSHH most directly address?
Sort it
Sort the safety items
Tap an item, then the group it belongs to.
⚠️ Hazard
🛡️ Control measure
🥽 PPE
Quick check
Where does PPE sit?
?Where does PPE sit in the hierarchy of control, and why?
Match it
Match each safety term to its meaning
Tap an item on the left, then its match on the right.
Term
Meaning
Recap
The big ideas to know
Hazard = potential to harm; risk = chance and severity of harm
Risk assessment: HSE five steps; risk rating = likelihood x severity
Hierarchy of control: eliminate/substitute > engineering > admin > PPE (last resort)
COSHH controls hazardous substances (MDF dust, solvents) via LEV and PPE
PPE: goggles, ear defenders, dust masks, gloves
You have covered how to identify, assess, score and control workshop health and safety risks.
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Mini-lesson complete!
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You have worked through Health and Safety for OCR A-level Product Design. 🎉
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