Safety in the Sewing Workshop – SS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (First Term)

Safety in the sewing workshop means following rules that prevent injury, protect machines and protect the garments we make. Students keep the floor tidy, handle needles, pins and irons with care, use machines correctly, and know basic first aid for cuts, needle pricks, burns and electric shock.

Behavioural objectives

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

• State three goals of workshop safety.
• List the general rules of behaviour in a sewing workshop.
• Describe how to handle needles, pins and the iron safely.
• Explain how to stay safe when using a sewing machine.
• State what to do for minor cuts, needle pricks, minor burns and electric shock.

Why does safety matter?

A sewing workshop is not a playground. We use tools that can cut, poke and burn. Safety means being responsible when we use the machines.

What are the goals of workshop safety?

1. To prevent injury: Protecting our fingers, eyes and skin.
2. To protect equipment: Machines are expensive. Dropping them or using them wrongly breaks them.
3. To protect your work: Blood or oil stains from an accident can ruin a beautiful white lace garment in seconds.

What are the general workshop rules?

To keep our classroom peaceful and safe, we must follow these “Golden Rules”:

• No running: Floors in a sewing lab can be slippery because of fabric scraps. Walk, do not run.
• Concentrate: Never talk to someone who is using a sewing machine. You might distract them and cause them to sew over their finger.
• Keep it tidy: Pick up scraps of fabric and thread from the floor immediately. People can trip on them.
• Correct posture: Always sit straight when sewing. Hunching over the machine for hours can give you a painful backache.
• No food or drinks: A spilled soda can ruin a machine’s motor or stain a customer’s fabric.

How do we prevent accidents with sharp tools and heat?

Most accidents in the sewing room happen because of carelessness with two things: needles and irons.

Handling needles and pins

• Never put pins in your mouth. You could swallow one or poke your lip.
• Use a pincushion. Do not leave pins scattered on the table or stuck into the arm of your chair.
• If a needle breaks, find all the pieces immediately and wrap them in paper before throwing them in the bin.

Handling the iron

• Always stand the iron on its “heel” (upright) when you are not using it.
• Never touch the metal part of the iron to see if it is hot. Flick a tiny drop of water on it instead.
• Unplug the iron at the end of the day.

How do we stay safe when using the sewing machine?

The sewing machine moves very fast. To stay safe while using it:

• Finger guard: Keep your fingers at a safe distance from the needle.
• The power cord: Make sure the electric cord is not stretched across the walkway, where people can trip and pull the machine off the table.
• Tucking in clothes: If you have long hair, tie it back. If you have loose sleeves or a tie, tuck them in. You do not want the machine’s moving parts to “catch” your clothes and pull you in.
• Switch off: Always turn off the power before you thread the needle or change the bobbin.

What first aid should we give in the workshop?

Even with the best rules, accidents sometimes happen. Every workshop must have a first aid box.

Common incidents and what to do

• Minor cuts: Clean the area with an antiseptic and apply a plaster. (We do not want blood on the fabric.)
• Needle pricks: If a needle goes through a finger, do not panic. Seek help from the teacher immediately to make sure no part of the needle is left inside.
• Minor burns: If you touch a hot iron, hold the burn under cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Do not put butter or oil on it.
• Electric shock: If someone gets a shock from a machine, do not touch them. Switch off the main power source first.

Teacher’s note: A clean workshop is a safe workshop. At the end of every practical class, we must spend the last 5 minutes “sweeping the deck”, picking up every pin and scrap of cloth.

Evaluation

1. State three goals of workshop safety.
2. Why should students not talk to someone who is using a sewing machine?
3. Describe how to handle a broken needle.
4. List four things you must do to stay safe when using a sewing machine.
5. What should you do for a minor burn? What should you not put on it?

Assignment

1. Write out five general rules of the sewing workshop and give a reason for each.
2. Explain what to do when a person gets an electric shock from a sewing machine.