Topic: Safety and security

Subtopic: Physical safety hazards

Lesson: 1 of 17
Rationale:
Using a computer is not generally thought of as being one of the most hazardous activities to
engage in. Accidents involving computers are increasing year after year as more people use
computers both at work and at home.

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson you should be able to
a) understand the safety issues including electrocution from spilling drinks near electrical
equipment and touching live cables, fire from sockets being overloaded or equipment
overheating, tripping over trailing cables, heavy equipment falling and injuring people

b) understand the causes of these safety issues and strategies for preventing them

What you should know

Before you start with this lesson, you should be able to
 understand the characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of pointing devices.
 understand the characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of output devices
including monitors, touch screen (as an output device)
 understand the health issues including repetitive strain injury (RSI), back problems,
eye problems, headaches
 understand the causes of these health issues and strategies for preventing them

Example
1. What are risks that come with the use of computers?

Solution
Objects falling from the desks
Fires
Electrocution

Highlight
Using computers on a daily basis may cause harm if we do not use them correctly. Objects may
fall from our desks while using computers and since computers need electricity, there is the risks
of fires that comes with that.

Recap exercise
1. How can we make sure that we are safe while using computers?
Solution
 Make sure we use strong desks
 Make sure you desk is not clustered
 Do not overload sockets

Lesson Development
Introduction
The computer is a vital tool in many different jobs and activities, for adults and children. But
long periods of using a computer can increase your chance of developing an injury. Inappropriate
computer use can cause muscle and joint pain, overuse injuries of the shoulder, arm, wrist or
hand, and eyestrain.

Back and neck pain, headaches, and shoulder and arm pain are common computer-related
injuries. Such muscle and joint problems can be caused or made worse by poor workstation
(desk) design, bad posture and sitting for long periods of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChQ8aoeHoEQ

Physical safety hazards and prevention

Physical safety in computing is all about ensuring that you do not suffer any harm whilst
working with computers. There are a number of physical safety issues that can arise from using
ICT devices.

Electrocution
Most ICT devices require an electrical power source. Whenever you have electrical power
sources you run the risk of the electrocution. Electrocution is harm, or even death, caused by an
electric current passing through the body.
Cause
Faulty equipment (bare wires etc).
Spilling drinks over electrical equipment.
Using malfunctioning or faulty
equipment
Opening up an electrical device and messing
with the hardware inside. (This should only
be done by trained professionals)
Prevention
Make sure wires are insulated.
Keep drinks away from equipment.
Report any malfunctioning equipment to a
technician. (Don't use it!)
Never open up an electrical device.

Fires
ICT devices require power from a mains outlet. If too many devices are plugged into a single
mains at the same time it is possible to overload the circuit and start an electrical fire. You need
to ensure that your room has many plug sockets so you don't have to overload any single one.

Causes Prevention
Too many devices plugged into a single Make sure that your room has plenty of
mains outlet. mains outlets.
Leaving devices plugged in unattended Don't plug too many devices into the same
for long periods. outlet.
Covering air vents on devices like Turn off and unplug devices if you are
laptops. going to be away for a long time.
(This can cause the device to overheat Have a CO2 fire extinguisher at hand to
and start a fire) quickly put out any fires that start.
Make sure that air vents on devices are
uncovered to allow free air circulation.
Tripping over wires
ICT devices with wires can make a room a potential hazard. Trailing wires are easy to trip over if
they are not secured or tucked away. Tripping over wires can lead to falling to the ground and
breaking bones, ligament strains etc.

Causes Prevention
Long wires or cables trailing across a Encase the wires in cable covers.
floor. (Cable covers are pieces of plastic or
rubber that are used to encase wires)
Tuck trailing wires under desks or carpets.
Use wireless technology to eliminate the
use of wires altogether.

Heavy equipment falling

Some ICT devices (like computer screens) are fairly heavy and can cause injury if they fall on
you. Equipment should be positioned securely on strong desks and tables well away from the
edge.
https://youtu.be/7NLQ3uC8_sw?t=235
Causes Prevention
Equipment not positioned securely onto Make sure that equipment is positioned away
desks. from the edge of desks.
Poor quality and fragile desks. Make sure that the desk has plenty of
space.
Use strong desks/tables that can support
the weight with ease.

Exercise
Study the image above
1. What are the safety rules that are not being followed in the image?
2. What advise can you give to George to make sure he is safe while he is working?
Solution

1. Clustered desks that may lead to equipment falling over

Too many cables connected to the power source that may cause fires and tripping
The desk seems to be unstable

2. checking for trailing wires

repairing any faulty equipment
keeping the cooling vents of the system uncovered
avoiding overloading a socket with multiple plugs

Lesson summary
As computers have become a part of our daily home and work environment, many countries have
created regulations that encourage and support safe use of computer systems. Knowing the more
common problems and injuries associated with poor ICT working conditions helps you to find
ways to reduce or eliminate them.