Applying Safe Working Practices PDF

# Applying Safe Working Practices ## **MU-A-LE-01** ### Objectives Upon completion of this learning element, you should be able to: - State the importance of safety - Identify safety hazards common to general shops and electronics laboratories - Identify safety measures - Interpret safety signs a...

# Applying Safe Working Practices ## **MU-A-LE-01** ### Objectives Upon completion of this learning element, you should be able to: - State the importance of safety - Identify safety hazards common to general shops and electronics laboratories - Identify safety measures - Interpret safety signs and symbols - List common personal protective clothing and devices - Recognize the importance of safety when dealing with electrical and electronic circuits. To be able to attain these objectives, you must: - Read and understand the theories and principles - Read other related references if you want further information - Follow directions and take note of reminders - Do your best to answer the review test and be able to get at least 80% and above correct answers. ### Theories/Principles #### Importance of Safety Safety is everyone's responsibility. Everyone must cooperate to create the safest possible working conditions. Where your personal life and good health are concerned, safety becomes your responsibility. The prevention of accidents in work areas is not only the concern of experts. You must learn how to work without hurting yourself or endangering your fellow workers. Your own efforts in keeping your workplace safe and reporting possible causes of injury are important. By using common sense and obeying general safety rules you can save yourself from being hurt. This learning element is an aid to learning safety rules. ### Task Steps and Keypoints #### The Work Area A clean and tidy area is safer than an untidy work area. It is your employer's responsibility to provide and maintain a safe working environment. Practice good housekeeping in your work area by keeping the area clean, ordered and tidy. Always immediately report any damaged, worn or inoperative item, or any unsafe conditions to your supervisor or health and safety representative. - Keep all passageways, aisles and exits clear of obstructions. - Remove immediately any oils, paint, greases, and other fluids that have been spilt on the floor. - Keep your immediate work area clear and tidy and do not allow discarded pieces of material to accumulate. - Do not leave tools and materials scattered about thoughtlessly. - Put away all the tools you are not using. - Returning tools to their correct place is not only being safe, it is also being considerate to coworkers who also need the tools. - Use the receptacles provided for waste and refuse. - Stack materials so that they do not fall and so that they do not project dangerously. It is particularly dangerous to have round stacks lying on the floor. A person stepping on it, may easily lose balance and seriously injure himself or herself in a fall. > *Note:* If you are working with oil-based materials and waste, bins with self-closing and sealing lids should be provided. ### Working with Electricity Electricity is unseen danger. It is essential to understand the potential hazards of working with electricity. All electrical workers must always be alert to the potential danger of suffering from electric shock or other injuries when working with electricity. Also, electrical workers must guard against causing electrical shock to their co-workers. #### Severity of Electric Shock The severity of electric shock can range from a slight tingling sensation to electrocution and death, depending on the conditions that are present. In addition to electrocution, electricity can cause serious and deep-seated burns and can also be the cause of consequential injuries such as falling. Factors that affect the severity of an electric shock include: - The voltage: This will have a large bearing on the amount of current passing or conducted through the body. - The path of the current through the body: A shock through an arm, across the chest and out the other arm or feet will allow the current to pass through the chest and heart, causing the chest muscles to cramp (suffocation) and the heart to go into the spasm (fibrillation). - The length of the contact: The longer the contact, the more extensive the burns suffered. - The frequency of the current: Alternating current (ac) has the tendency to cause muscles to spasm and stay in contact with the source. Direct Current (dc) has the tendency to jolt or throw. #### Causes of Injuries Injuries are seldom the results of accidents. They are more often caused by: - Individual unsafe practices - Poor design of factories, equipment and work areas - Poor management and organizational practices #### Precautions Steps to be taken to avoid electric shock: - Never work on "live" equipment, but when it is necessary never work alone and take necessary precautions, including: - Make sure the equipment is earthed - Wear adequate footwear, like safety shoes with rubber soles. - Work on rubber or insulating mats to more effectively isolate the body from which should be assumed to be earthed. - Work with one hand in a pocket so as not to form a circuit across the chest if live points are contacted. - Remove all metallic jewelries and watches that may come into contact with equipment. - Be aware of: - Worn or frayed leads - Broken plugs - Excessive sparks > *Note:* Take notice of all warning signs displayed on or near electronics equipment, and warning signs in the work area. #### Safe Procedures for Electronics Trades persons and technicians must be fully aware of all the hazards that exist in and around electronic equipment. - You should develop the habit of checking all aspects of safety when stepping up or before commencing electronic work. - You should thoroughly familiarize yourself with electronic equipment before operating or servicing it. - All manuals and circuit diagrams (schematic) should be readily available, complete and up-to-date. Any modifications to equipment should be approved by the manufacturer and the manuals and schematics suitably amended. ### Working with Chemicals Thousands of chemicals are used in industry for a great variety of purposes and each year many new chemicals are introduced. Many have toxic, corrosive, irritant, flammable, or other dangerous properties. Solids, dusts, liquids, gases, vapors, mists, and fumes can be dangerous. With proper care and knowledge, chemicals can be handled safely and the risks minimized. Your body's exposure to chemicals can occur by these routes: - Inhalation (breathing into the lungs) - Skin absorption (after spillage or immersion) - Ingestion (after swallowing) ### Personal Protective Clothing and Devices It is the employer's responsibility to provide protective clothing and equipment. Work clothes and specially designed protective clothing are designed for your protection. Wear the correct clothing and equipment to protect yourself from possible serious injury. Do not interfere with or misuse any item provided by your employer for health and safety. - Wear plain, tough clothes that are close-fitting and keep them buttoned up. Loose sleeves, unbuttoned or torn shirts or sweaters, ties or loose belts can easily become caught in revolving machinery. - Your work clothes should be cleaned regularly. - Wear cuffless trousers. Trouser cuffs may cause you to trip or they may catch sparks or harmful substances. - Wear suitable footwear and keep it in good repair. - Wear safety shoes or boots with insulated soles for electrical work. Good uppers protect against burning from hot turning, drops of molten metal, etc. Safety shoes and boots have reinforced toecaps to protect against heavy falling objects. - Keep long hair under a tight-fitting cap or net, as required by regulations. It is your employer's duty to ensure that machines have guards to protect employees who work closely to machine. Even so, if your hair is long, it could be easily caught in machinery, such as a drilling machine. Many people have been scalped in this type of accident. - Do not wear rings or wrist watches on the job. Because such item can be caught in moving machinery. It is extremely dangerous to wear them in certain types of work. You could lose fingers. - Do not wear earrings, neckchains, pendants and bracelets. All items or personal jewelry worn at work have the potential to cause an accident or aggravate an injury sustained in an accident. - Wear personal protective equipment suited to the work to be done. - Learn the purpose of each item in the wide range of protective devices available. The document includes images of many types of protective clothing and equipment. The image illustrates the types of protection: - **Head:** includes a variety of hard hats and helmets, as well as ear muffs and earplugs. - **Ears:** Includes Silicone-impregnated earplugs. - **Eyes:** Includes a variety of safety glasses and goggles. - **Hands and Feet:** Includes a variety of protective gloves, work boots, and overshoes. - **Lungs:** Includes a variety of respirators.