Legal advice...

[imamartian]

I have recently made a number of large (8ft x 2ft) chalkboards out of 12mm ply, with frames, for my kids' school. And they are quite heavy.

So i was wondering how do i go on about H&S and insurance? I suspect i may be covered by 3rd party liability by the school, but who would determine whether my work is fit for purpose?

For example, are there guidelines about splinters? Type of paint? Number of screws to use fore a particular weight in a certain type of wall?

 

[^woody^]

Didn't you post a similar question a while ago regarding some timber benches for a school?

IIRC, I answered regarding liability issues

Liability will depend on your relationship or terms of engagement. If a paid contractor then you would be expected to assume liability and know what you are doing. If a volunteer or suchlike, then the school assumes liability

Basically it anyone gets an injury, then there is potential for a claim. But that does not mean that the claim will succeed.

 

[foxhole]

The blackboard paint is none toxic, if that's what you used , 9mm mdf would have been lighter, cheaper and given a better writing surface with no splinters, so would have been better to ask these questions before you started.How many/long the screws depends on how sound the wall is , as many as is needed to keep it up is the simple answer, if it falls off then you got it wrong.

 

[imamartian]

Woody, you're right,...good memory... i haven't made the seats yet... my next job. No doubt i'll post again about them!

I appreciate you commenting again then on my question. But i think this time i would like to know how do i measure the suitability of my work? is there a benchmark for h&s?

As for 9mm mdf, these are living outside, so i didn't trust mdf... i varnished the edges of my plywood and then covered the edges in frame sealant.

 

[dextrous]

9mm mdf would have been lighter, cheaper and given a better writing surface with no splinters,

I have to advise you that in my experience as a teacher of writing on these (10+ years before whiteboards and their electronic replacements came into being), ply is a far superior baseboard to use - the texture gives chalk something to "bite" onto.

 

[^woody^]

Whow do i measure the suitability of my work? is there a benchmark for h&s?

There may be a BS for school equipment, but that does not mean that it automatically applies.

Your duty, is to "demonstrate appropriate skill and care" in what you have done. This could be following to the letter every rule and standard ever produced, or it can be a tick-list showing that you have pulled the board, banged the board and chewed the board and nothing untoward happened.

If you was building a block of flats, then you may be more inclined to rigorously follow any relevant standards and carry out lots of tests. For making a blackboard, you could probably just check that it won't fall off the wall

It's really down to common sense .... use appropriate fixing, use appropriate paint, remove any sharp edges etc.

 

[imamartian]

Whow do i measure the suitability of my work? is there a benchmark for h&s?

There may be a BS for school equipment, but that does not mean that it automatically applies.

Your duty, is to "demonstrate appropriate skill and care" in what you have done. This could be following to the letter every rule and standard ever produced, or it can be a tick-list showing that you have pulled the board, banged the board and chewed the board and nothing untoward happened.

If you was building a block of flats, then you may be more inclined to rigorously follow any relevant standards and carry out lots of tests. For making a blackboard, you could probably just check that it won't fall off the wall

It's really down to common sense .... use appropriate fixing, use appropriate paint, remove any sharp edges etc.

The common sense approach is how i work... i appreciate your answer...