I am an instructor at a small college in the UK. The college has recently purchased a multi media (POWERPONT) projector & lap top. I am keen to utilise this new medium in my lectures but in my opinion the college have not provided appropriate facilities to enable this. Other instructors have used it but have to provide a power supply from the side of the room with the electric supply provided by an extension lead laid across the carpet and the projector balanced on ring binders to provide adequate elevation. I am concerned for the safety of the lap top and projector if it is accientally knocked off the desk but additionally I am sure there will be relevant legislaion dealing with the installation of such appliances.

Question

I am an instructor at a small college in the UK. The college has recently purchased a multi media (POWERPONT) projector & lap top. I am keen to utilise this new medium in my lectures but in my opinion the college have not provided appropriate facilities to enable this. Other instructors have used it but have to provide a power supply from the side of the room with the electric supply provided by an extension lead laid across the carpet and the projector balanced on ring binders to provide adequate elevation. I am concerned for the safety of the lap top and projector if it is accientally knocked off the desk but additionally I am sure there will be relevant legislaion dealing with the installation of such appliances.

I have aired my concerns with the college and they have advised me they cannot afford a custom built stand etc. and in any event other instructors are quite happy with the arrangement.

I wonder if anyone can point me in the direction of legislation/directives or offer me advice.

Rob

Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Hopefully one of the following links will provide what you seek.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/

http://slp.icheme.org/legislation.html

http://uk.osha.eu.int/legislation

http://www.safetydirectory.com/regional/uk/legislation.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Unfortunately in my school the teachers themselves purchased what the administration would not and if you have a "Booster Club" that can be very helpful. Fortunately one year I had the son of the Fire Chief in my class and when we invited his father to class the problem was solved!

My advice is this:
Route the electric cable around the wall, thence from the wall to the projector, put tape over the cord to the carpet. This eliminates trip hazards.

The stand is probably not a safety hazard as much as it poses a risk to the equipment. My wife has a similar problem in her math class for her overhead projector. I found a small portable table for her at a yard sale.

This is not one of those issues I would personally make a defensive stand against the administration. Tape the electrical cord to the carpet, students do not wish to trip on it.

Answer 1

It seems like you are concerned about the safety of using the new multimedia projector and laptop in your lectures, as well as the lack of appropriate facilities provided by your college. While the college has mentioned that they cannot afford a custom-built stand, you are looking for advice or information on relevant legislation or directives that address the installation of such appliances.

To find legislation or directives related to the installation of multimedia appliances, you can start by checking the official government websites and regulatory bodies in the UK. Here are a few possible sources you can explore:

1. Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI): The OPSI website provides access to UK legislation, including acts, statutory instruments, and other regulations. You can search for relevant legislation related to electrical or multimedia appliances by using keywords or specific acts.

2. Health and Safety Executive (HSE): The HSE is the regulatory body responsible for promoting workplace health and safety in the UK. They have a website where you can find information on regulations, guidance, and codes of practice related to electrical safety.

3. Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE): The IChemE Safety and Loss Prevention Special Interest Group provides information on legislation related to process safety and loss prevention, which may include aspects of electrical safety.

4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Although OSHA is a US organization, they have a European website that provides information on European Union (EU) health and safety legislation, including electrical safety directives.

5. Safety Directory: This online directory provides links to various resources related to safety legislation and regulations in the UK. You may find relevant information on electrical safety or multimedia appliance installations.

Once you have accessed these websites or directories, you can search for keywords such as "electrical safety," "multimedia projectors," or "laptop installations" to see if there are any specific guidelines or regulations that apply to your situation. It is important to comply with any relevant legislation to ensure the safety of both the equipment and the individuals using it.

In terms of immediate advice, you can consider routing the electrical cable around the wall to avoid trip hazards and securely taping it to the carpet. This will help prevent accidents or injuries related to the cable. Additionally, you can explore simple and affordable options, such as finding a small portable table or stand for the projector, which could be obtained through yard sales or second-hand stores.

Remember that while it is essential to prioritize safety, it may not be necessary to make a defensive stand against the administration. You can continue to express your concerns and suggest alternative solutions, but ultimately it may be a compromise between available resources and safety considerations.