Safety in the Sewing Workshop SS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note

Why Safety Matters

A sewing workshop is not a playground. We use tools that can cut, poke, and burn. Safety isn’t about being “scared” of the machines; it’s about being responsible.

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.

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, don’t run.
• Concentrate: Never talk to someone who is currently 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 will give you a very painful backache.
• No Food or Drinks: A spilled soda can ruin a machine’s motor or stain a customer’s fabric.

Preventing Accidents (Sharp Tools & Heat)

Most accidents in the sewing room happen because of “carelessness” with two things: Needles and Irons.

1. Handling Needles and Pins:

• Never put pins in your mouth. You could accidentally swallow one or poke your lip.
• Use a Pincushion. Don’t 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.

2. Handling the Iron:

• Always stand the iron on its “heel” (upright) when you aren’t using it.
• Never touch the metal part of the iron to see if it’s hot—flick a tiny drop of water on it instead.
• Unplug the iron at the end of the day.

Machine Safety

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: Ensure the electric cord isn’t 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 don’t want the machine’s moving parts to “catch” your clothes and pull you in.
• Switch Off: Always turn off the power before you try to thread the needle or change the bobbin.

First Aid in the Workshop

Even with the best rules, accidents sometimes happen. Every workshop must have a First Aid Box.

Common Incidents & What to Do:

• Minor Cuts: Clean the area with an antiseptic and apply a plaster. (We don’t want blood on the fabric!).
• Needle Pricks: If a needle goes through a finger, do not panic. Seek help from the teacher immediately to ensure 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.