Keeping 3D printing safe in the primary classroom

3D printing can be introduced safely in a primary classroom, but it is not risk free. Like any classroom equipment, a printer needs sensible rules, the right placement and adult supervision. The good news is that the precautions are straightforward and quickly become second nature.

What to be aware of

A 3D printer has a few things worth understanding before it goes into a classroom:

• Hot parts. The nozzle and print bed get hot during printing and stay warm afterwards.
• Moving parts. The print head and bed move while a print is running.
• Placement. The printer needs a stable surface with a little space around it, away from where pupils gather.

Simple rules that work

Most schools manage these risks with a few clear habits:

• The printer is supervised by an adult whenever it is running.
• Pupils keep a safe distance during printing and do not reach into the machine.
• Prints are removed by an adult, or by pupils only once parts have cooled, depending on age.
• The level of hands on involvement is matched to the year group and the task.

Guidance you can lean on

Safety is easier when you are not starting from a blank page. PrintHedz provides classroom risk assessments, safe operating guidance and age appropriate rules alongside its resources, so teachers have a clear starting point rather than having to work it all out alone.

Used with care, a 3D printer becomes a normal, well managed part of the classroom, much like other equipment that needs a little respect.