Workshop Safety and Organisation: notes

Protecting yourself

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): wear overalls, safety boots and safety goggles. Use ear protection near loud machines and gloves for handling hot or sharp metal, but never near a rotating drill or lathe.
• Hair and clothing: tie back long hair and roll up loose sleeves so a machine cannot catch them.
• Welding: use a shield or helmet with a dark filter. Arc light burns the eyes and skin.

Safe habits

• Guards: never remove a machine guard while the machine can run. Switch off and isolate the power before cleaning or changing a tool.
• Housekeeping: keep floors clear of swarf (metal chips) and oil. Pick up swarf with a brush or hook, never bare hands.
• Lifting: bend the knees, keep the back straight and get help for heavy bars.

Fire and first aid

• Fire types: water for wood and paper, CO2 for electrical and flammable liquid fires. Never use water on an electrical or oil fire.
• Burns: cool under running water for at least ten minutes.
• Cuts: press on the wound with a clean pad to stop bleeding, then report it to the teacher.

Signs

• Safety signs: red means stop or fire equipment, yellow means warning, blue means you must do something (such as wear goggles), green means safe condition or first aid.