SafetyEngineering Lab Safety

By Christie Schmitt

Essential Questions Why is lab safety important in your

engineering lab?

Occupational Statistics Occupational Safety is the most important

task or job skill workers can master! The Statistics:

On average 15 workers die in the US each day from work related injuries.

Nearly 3,450 are injured (most of which have a year or less on the job)

Leading causes of injuries are overexertion, contact with objects or equipment, and falls.

Work Related InjuriesInjury # %

Sprains, strains, tears 525,390 41.7

Bruises 114,680 9.1

Cuts, punctures 114,140 9

Fractures 94,040 7.4

Heat Burns 18,510 1.4

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

18,710 1.4

Basic Safety Know the location of all fire extinguishers. Know

which extinguisher contains the right fire-fighting agent for each type of fire: Class A — wood & paper products Class B — flammable liquids Class C — electrical equipment

Always wear eye protection. Even if you’re not doing anything, other people are and a flying piece of wood or metal from their job can easily injure you.

Basic Safety Always clean up sawdust; it can be just as slippery as a

spilled liquid, oil or grease. Don’t use screwdrivers as chisels or pry bars. Never carry sharp tools in your pockets. Wear suitable clothing. Remove or fasten loose clothing,

neckties, or jewelry. Roll loose sleeves to elbows. Don’t work with oily or greasy hands. Plan your work before you start. If you’re cutting a large

piece of wood, ask for help before you start cutting. Don’t wait until you’re in trouble.

Secure all small work & short work in a vise or with a clamp.

Basic Safety Don’t pry or hammer with a file. It may shatter. Securely fasten long hair or hair styles that could

create a hazard, or wear a hair cover. Handle all sheet metal carefully. A metal edge

can be as sharp as the tool which cut it. Handle sharp-edged tools & pointed tools with

care. Carry pointed tools with the points down. Carry all tools so they don’t pose a danger to the people around you.

Report any equipment that doesn’t seem to work properly.

Basic Safety Report all injuries, no matter how slight, when they occur. Even if it

doesn’t seem serious, it can become infected days later if not properly treated.

Wear the proper safety equipment for the job. Keep the aisles clear. Don’t leave extension cords where someone

could trip over them. If they must go across an aisle, fasten them to the floor.

Place oily rags & other combustible materials in approved metal containers.

Cut away from yourself when you use chisels and other edged tools.

Don’t distract or crowd around people while they’re working.

Safety Rules for Hand Tools Always wear eye protection. Wear the right safety equipment for the job. Use tools that are the right size and right type for your job. Follow the correct procedure for using every tool. Keep your cutting tools sharp and in good condition. Don’t work with oily or greasy hands. Handle sharp-edged and pointed tools with care. Always carry pointed tools by your side with the points and heavy

ends down. Secure all small work & short work with a vise or clamp.

Safety Rules for Hand Tools Never carry tools in your pockets. Don’t use tools which are loose or cracked. Keep your punches & chisels in good condition. Mushroomed

heads can chip & cause injuries. Don’t use a file without a handle.. Don’t pry or hammer with a file. It may shatter. Don’t use screwdrivers as chisels or pry bars. Don’t try to increase your leverage by using a “cheater” with a

wrench. Wrenches are designed at the right strength for their size and length.

After using a tool —clean it and return it to its proper storage place.

Safety Rules for Hand Tools If anything breaks or malfunctions

— report it to your instructor at once.

Use the right type of tool for the job. Never place tools & materials where

they hang on the edge of a bench. Don’t use tools for things they

weren’t meant for. Store tools and materials vertically,

with the points and heavy end down.

Cut away from yourself when you use chisels and other edged tools.

Don’t force screws; make sure that the correct screw for the job is being used.

Safety Rules for Power Tools Don’t operate a machine until receiving proper instruction,

fully understanding how to use it, you have permission. Wear eye protection Use all safety guards exactly as they are supposed to be

used. Wear ear protection. Make all adjustments to machines with the power off. Start & stop the machine yourself. Stay with the machine until

it stops. Keep a safe distance between your hands & all moving parts

on the machine. Make sure everyone is clear before you turn on the power.

Safety Rules for Power Tools Never work on a machine or power tools when you’re tired or

hurried. Operate the machine by yourself - unless you need a helper. When two people work on a machine, The person who is

operating the machine should give all the instructions & the person who is helping should follow them.

Give your machine your full attention. Don’t look away or talk to others.

Never startle someone who is using a power tool or machine. Don’t speak to or distract the operator in any way.

Safety Rules for Power Tools PLAN YOUR WORK BEFORE YOU

BEGIN. If you’re going to be cutting a big piece, get help BEFORE you start. Don’t wait until you’re in trouble.

DON’T leave a machine unattended while it’s running.

DISCONNECT the electrical power before you oil or clean a machine.

Keep your WORK AREA CLEAR of scrap, liquids, & other items.

DON’T LEAN or LOUNGE on machines.

Notify your instructor - AT ONCE - if anything breaks or malfunctions.

Get first aid treatment for EVERY injury - even the slightest scratch.

Safety Rules for Electronics Always wear your safety glasses. Keep soldering irons in their protective STAND when not in

use. Always cut wire leads so the clipped wire falls on the table

top and not toward others. Do not touch the tip end of a soldering iron to check for heat. Avoid an earth ground when working with AC powered units. Only work with powered units when necessary for

troubleshooting. Avoid skin contact with chemicals.

Safety Rules for Electronics Replace all screws, not just some. Use the correct cleaning solvents for the job. Avoid pinching wires when putting equipment back

together. Use a heat sink when soldering temperature-sensitive

components. Never solder a circuit that has the power applied. Double check circuits for proper connections and

polarity prior to applying the power. Observe polarity when connecting polarized

components or test equipment into a circuit.

Safety Rules for Electronics When soldering a multi-pin component, avoid excessive

heating to one area of the component; Do not go from pin to pin in a straight line.

Make sure test instruments are set for proper function and range prior to taking a measurement.

When measuring uncertain qualities, start with the range switch on the highest setting.

Always replace shields that were removed during service to avoid signal radiation.

When cutting with an X-Acto knife, avoid cutting towards yourself.

Safety Rules for Electronics Apply heat from a soldering pencil for no more then a

couple of seconds to avoid heat damage. Keep the INTENSITY on oscilloscopes as LOW as

possible when in use and all the way down when not in use to avoid burning out the screen.

Always OBSERVE POLARITY when connecting components into a circuit, especially with electrolytic capacitors.

Always READ the MSDS (Material Safety and Data Sheet) for all chemicals prior to their use.

Do you know your safety information?

Remember, safety is important! Most safety is common sense. Think

before you act!

All students will be required to pass a safety test with the accepted score.