SAFETY IN THE WORKSHOP

Safety means being free from danger, harm or risk. Being safe should be a primary concern for

everyone who uses an Industrial Arts laboratory or workshop. Safety involves the preparation of

an individual and the entire working environment to prevent physical harm or accidents. It is

therefore important for all workers (or students) to know how to avoid any situation that may

cause accidents to:

a. Himself

b. Classmates

c. Work being carried out (projects)

d. The equipment
Being safe or practicing safety does not mean that you memorize a set of rules, but more

importantly, that you practice proper working habits and maintain a constant awareness of the

working environment.

The consequences of working in an unsafe manner may be numerous and are not limited to

injury or harm to workers or damage to machines. There are other ways in which unsafe

practices may affect the workshop or organization, such as:

a. Loss of time – as work may be stopped every time someone is injured or whenever tools

and machines are damaged.

b. Inefficiency – not only time, but materials will be wasted resulting in a slower production

rate.

c. Loss of finances – as money will have to be spent on medical fees and/or the replacement

or repair of tools and machines.

Areas of Safety

Workshop safety may be categorized into two broad areas:

I. Personal Safety

II. General Safety

These areas form the basis for study and focus for any form of workshop practice.
Personal Safety

Personal safety involves the way in which a worker protects himself from harm within the

working environment. This area of safety is concerned mainly with the attire of the individual for

work and sets out procedures for how the worker should use items of clothing and certain

practices to protect himself in the working environment.

General Safety

General safety involves the preparation and control of the entire working environment and the

adjustment of worker habits to ensure safety. This area of safety deals with the way in which the

working environment is kept and maintained (e.g. clean, clear passages), the maintenance of

machines and tools (e.g. sharp cutting edges, using proper guards) and the practices of workers

during workshop activities.

Safety Rules

Safety rules are principles that are set out by the organization, school or workshop to organize

the working environment. The rules also aim to control the working habits of the workers in

order to minimize and ultimately prevent accidents and increase efficiency.

Personal Safety Rules

 1. Protect your eyes and face (by wearing goggles, safety glasses or a face shield) when

working with sharp instruments or machines.

2. Protective clothing (overalls, lab coat or apron) must be worn during practical activities.

3. Do not wear long sleeved shirts, ties or loose clothing when operating machines.

4. Slippers or sandals should not be worn in the workshop. Wear suitable, hard shoes to

protect your feet.

5. Remove watches or other jewellery before practical work.

6. Keep hands away from moving/rotating parts of machines.

7. Use gloves whenever handling hot or prickly objects but not when operating machines

with rotating sections.

8. Do not eat in the workshop.

Look at Joe the Know-it-all below to identify all the personal safety rules he is not following.

General Safety Rules

 1. Be alert at all times. Know your surroundings so that you can foresee and prevent a

potentially dangerous event.

2. Never panic in case of an accident or emergency.

3. Move in an orderly and unhurried manner in the workshop, never dash or run,

especially if you are carrying tools.

4. Do not enter the workshop without the supervisor’s consent. Do not work alone in the

workshop or lab.

5. Do not play in the workshop or lab.

6. Do not turn on a machine without permission, or if you do not know how to operate

it.

7. The floor of a workshop should always be clean and free from oil or grease. Rags and

pieces of oily cloth should be placed in the waste bin.

8. The walkways or aisles should be free from protruding objects.

9. All injuries (no matter how small) or damaged tools must be immediately reported to

the instructor or supervisor.

10. Do not pile or stack tools on the workbenches.

11. Do not carry tools around in your pockets.

12. Do not use a machine if the proper safety guards are not in place.

13. Do not take your bags to the workbenches. Leave them at a safe place outside the

work area.

Accidents
An accident is an unexpected, unplanned and undesirable event that usually results in damage to

machines and equipment, and/or injury to persons.

Everyone who uses the workshop must be aware of the necessary safety precautions in order to

prevent accidents rather than trying to ‘cure’ the effects of the accident. It is important to

remember to be always aware and that you should not panic if an accident occurs.

You should always be aware and careful in any activity as accidents are usually caused by those

who are careless, thoughtless or boastful. Remember, accidents do not just happen, they are

caused.

Causes of Accidents

Here are some of the major causes of accidents in the Workshop or Lab:

1. Carelessness - Fooling around, running about. Paying no regard for others working near

you. Not paying attention to safety rules.

2. Ignorance – of the dangers of a machine or tool, and of safety precautions.

3. Unsuitable clothing – Large, loose clothing, unbuttoned shirt, wearing neckties.

4. Untidiness – Overcrowded passageways, objects on the floor, grease or oil on the floor.

5. Hand Tools – Using dull blunt or broken tools. Using incorrect tools.

6. Exposed Eyes – Not wearing proper eye protection during practical work.

7. Machine Tools – No knowledge of how to operate machines. No permission to use

machines. Machine tools and parts not secured properly.

8. Lifting Objects – Lifting anything that is too heavy for you to manage.
Joe the Know-it-all