Safety Precautions in Workshop – JSS1 Computer Hardware & GSM Repair Lesson Note (First Term)

Safety precautions are the rules and actions we take to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to equipment in a workshop.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define safety precautions.
2. State the three areas of workshop safety: personal, equipment and environment.
3. List at least four rules that protect the repairer.
4. Explain how to protect computers and phones from damage.
5. State the first action to take when a person gets an electric shock.

What are safety precautions?

Safety precautions are the rules and actions that prevent accidents and injuries in a computer or phone repair workshop.

They protect two things:

1. The person: prevents electric shocks, burns and cuts.
2. The machine: prevents damage to the delicate parts of the phone or computer.

What are the types of safety precautions in a workshop?

There are three types of workshop safety precautions: personal safety, equipment safety and workshop environment safety.

Personal safety (protecting yourself)

Personal safety is the set of rules that keep the repairer free from harm.

• No food or drinks: a small spill of water can cause an electric shock or ruin a circuit board.
• Dress properly: do not wear loose jewellery, such as long necklaces, or flowing sleeves that can get caught in a machine.
• Handle tools with care: a soldering iron gets very hot, so return it to its stand when not in use.
• Avoid horseplay: running or jumping can make someone trip over power cables.

Equipment safety (protecting the gadgets)

Equipment safety is the set of rules that keep computers and phones from being damaged.

• Anti-static precautions: the body can carry static electricity, which is the tiny spark you sometimes feel. This spark can damage a computer chip.
• Anti-static wrist strap: repairers wear this strap to stop static building up on the body.
• Switch off and unplug: never open a computer or phone while it is plugged into a socket. Always power down first.
• Organise your screws: keep tiny screws in a magnetic tray. A screw in the wrong place can cause a short circuit.
• Use the right tool: do not use a knife in place of a screwdriver. The wrong tool can strip screws or break the casing.

Workshop environment safety (the room)

Environment safety is the set of conditions that make the workshop itself safe to work in.

• Good ventilation: soldering means melting metal, and it makes smoke that is bad to breathe. Windows or a fan should carry the smoke away.
• Good lighting: a bright workspace stops eye strain and helps you avoid cutting your fingers.
• Fire safety: every workshop should have a fire extinguisher. Use the right kind for electrical fires, usually CO₂ or dry powder.
• Tidy floor and tables: keep cables and bags out of walkways so nobody trips.

What are the common hazards in a repair workshop?

A hazard is anything in the workshop that can cause harm or damage.

How do you open a phone or computer safely?

Follow these steps in order before opening any device.

1. Switch the device off.
2. Unplug it from the power socket, or remove the battery where possible.
3. Clear and dry the work table.
4. Put on the anti-static wrist strap.
5. Choose the correct screwdriver.
6. Place the screws in a magnetic tray as you remove them.

What should you do if someone gets an electric shock?

The first action is to switch off the main power source immediately.

1. Switch off the main power source.
2. Do not touch the person with bare hands while the power is still on.
3. Call your teacher or a nearby adult for help at once.
4. Get medical help for the person.

What are the do’s and don’ts of workshop safety?

This table sums up the main rules to remember.

Class discussion / lab activity

1. Look around our classroom or lab. Can you spot any safety hazards, such as naked wires or crowded tables?
2. Why should we never use water to put out an electrical fire?
3. What is the first thing you should do if your friend gets an electric shock? (Answer: switch off the main power source immediately.)

Evaluation

1. Define safety precautions.
2. Name the two things safety precautions protect.
3. State three rules for personal safety in a workshop.
4. Why do repairers wear an anti-static wrist strap?
5. Name two types of fire extinguisher suitable for electrical fires.

Assignment

Draw a table with three columns headed Personal safety, Equipment safety and Workshop environment. List three rules under each heading.