SAFETY

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

At the end of the lesson the trainee should be able to:

1. Define the term workshop

2. State safety precaution to be observed in the workshop and on the site
3. List classification of fire
4. Select suitable firefighting equipment for a given class of fire

WORKSHOP

Definition: A workshop is a building or area where engineering work is carried out. An industrial
workshop must meet certain standard for approval before they can function as an engineering
workshop.

General site safety

One of the first rules of safety is tidiness. Building debris should never be left lying about .nails
protruding from pieces of timber are the most causes of foot injury; such nails should always be
removed or hammered over .pieces of pipes or tube can roll if trodden on and cause a fall which
could be serious especially if the person falling is carrying something such as a ladder or gas
cylinder. Protective foot wear should always be worn on site and in workshop: boots or shoes
which are strong and heat wearing, preferably with steel reinforced toe caps to protect the foot
against the type of hazards. Eyes injuries are painful and can results in loss of sight so always
wear the appropriate type of safety goggles or glasses when exposed to dust or flying chipping.
Goggles are made of variety of lenses of different impacts resistances for various operations. The
correct type must be worn or they must provide the required protections. Protection of skin by
using suitable gloves may be necessary in some cases when handling abrasive materials or those
materials containing strong acids or alkalis such as cement or lime mortars. The use of a barriers
cream can prevent skin disease such as dermatitis and also prevent the entry of grease and dirt
into the pores of the skin.

SAFETY PRECAUTION ON THE WORKSHOP

i. Workshop layout (What is needed is on n a Workshop)
In a workshop, the following layout should be strictly maintained
a) Keeping floor free of oil or any other liquid
b) Aisles should be clear, at all times to avoid tripping of other accident
c) Store material, tools and equipment in such a way that they cannot become tripping hazards
d) Do not leave tools or work on the tables of a machine even if the machine is not turning.

ii. cleanliness
To maintain good healthy in a workshop for the operative’s visitors and anybody else involved in
the goings .off at the particular workshop should be highlighted;
a) How cleaning should be affected and hoe refuse should must be removed. County
government may be contacted to provide such services
b) Overcrowding of the operatives should be avoided

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c) Good ventilation must be provided in all working rooms
d) Draining of floor should be provided
e) Keep equipment and surrounding areas clean and tidy at all times
f) never use compressed air for cleaning clothing and machineries

iii. behavior
In an industrial environment reckless, foolish and boisterous behaviour such as pushing,
shouting, throwing objects and practical joking by a person or a group of persons cannot be
tolerated. Such actions can distract a worker’s attention and break his or her concentration which
could lead to:
Scrapped work, serious accidents and even fatalities.
 Incorrect operation of equipment or inadvertent contact with moving machinery or cutters.
 Someone being pushed against moving machinery or factory transport.
 Someone being pushed against ladders and trestles upon which people are working at
heights.
 Someone being pushed against and dislodging heavy, stacked components.
 Contact with electricity, compressed air or dangerous chemicals.
iv. clothing
Safety glasses and hearing protection – every person entering the workshop must collect these
items from just inside the door. They must be worn at all times.
Students that wear glasses should be aware these are not safety glasses, they are only impact
resistant and may shatter, and safety glasses must be worn.
All loose clothing (e.g. shirts hanging out) must be tucked in.
Safety boots or enclosed shoes must be worn in the workshop. Do not enter under any
circumstances without this footwear, there are no exceptions to this rule.
Long hair has to be tied up including fringes.
Remove rings and loose jewellery before operating machinery they can be a hazard.
v. first aids
Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. The injuries caused by such accidents can range
from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones and life threatening injuries. It is a very good idea
to know what to do in an emergency.
a) You must be aware of the accident procedure.
b) You must know where to find your nearest first aid post.
c) You must know the quickest and easiest route to the first aid post.
d) You must know who the qualified first-aid person on duty is and where he/she can be found)

NB: First aid should only be administered by a qualified person

If you are first on the scene of a serious incident, but you are not qualified to render First aid:

a) Remain calm.
b) Get help quickly by sending for the appropriate skilled and qualified personnel.
c) Act and speak in a calm and confident manner to give the casualty confidence.

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d) Do not attempt to move the casualty.
e) Do not administer fluids.
f) Hand over to the experts as quickly as possible

Minor wounds
Prompt first aid can help nature heal small wounds and deal with germs. If you have to treat
yourself then wash the wound clean and apply a plaster. However, you must seek medical advice
if:
a) There is a foreign body embedded in the wound.
b) There is a special risk of infection (such as a dog bite or the wound has been caused by a
dirty object).
c) A wound shows signs of becoming infected.
Sometimes there can be foreign bodies in minor wounds. Small pieces of glass or grit lying
on a wound can be picked off with tweezers or rinsed off with cold water before treatment.
However, you MUST NOT try to remove objects that are embedded in the wound; you may
cause further tissue damage and bleeding.
 Control any bleeding by applying firm pressure on either side of the object, and raising the
wounded part.
 Drape a piece of gauze lightly over the wound to minimize the risk of germs entering it, then
build up padding around the object until you can bandage without pressing down upon it.
 Take or send the casualty to hospital
SAFETY PRECAUTION ON SITE
i. Site layout and regulation
 number and type of site staff anticipated, calculate size and select units of accommodation
and check to ensure compliance with the minimum requirements of the Construction (Health,
Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, select siting for offices to give easy and quick access
for visitors but at the same time giving a reasonable view of the site, select siting for mess
room and toilets to reduce walking time to a minimum without impeding the general site
circulation and/or works in progress.
 What is mandatory and what is desirable? Local vandalism record, type or types of fence
and/or hoarding required, possibility of using fencing which is part of the contract by
erecting this at an early stage in the contract.
ii. Handling and storage of tools and equipment
 All tools and equipment should be handled with care,
 amount and types of material to be stored, security and weather protection requirements,
allocation of adequate areas for storing materials and allocating adequate working space
around storage areas as required, siting of storage areas to reduce double handling to a
minimum without impeding the general site circulation and/or works in progress.
 What plant, when and where is it required? Static or mobile plant? If static select the most
appropriate position and provide any necessary hard standing, if mobile check on circulation
routes for optimum efficiency and suitability, provision of space and hard standing for on-site
plant maintenance if required.

iii. Clothing

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 Hard hats, steel-toe boots and reflective safety vests are perhaps the most common personal
protective equipment worn by construction workers around the world. A risk assessment may
deem that other protective equipment is appropriate, such as gloves, goggles, or high-
visibility clothing
iv. Behavior on the on site
 Construction workers should be well behaved and not to disturb others while working.
 Fooling around and practical jokes in the site will not be tolerated
v. First aid on site
 While it may not be possible for workers to carry first aid supplies with them all the time,
both the site supervisor and contractor should ensure that first aid is always accessible to the
workers. If as a worker you find that first aid you will need is not around, inform your
supervisor immediately. Basic first aid for minor burns, cuts, and falls should be available on
site so that the required medical assistance can be provided to the workers immediately. This
is beneficial to the employer, as well, because this ensures that after resting for some time,
the worker can return to his work as soon as possible. Some injuries when treated
immediately helps in limiting the damage immensely and prevents infections from spreading

 Safety and Health Considerations ~ check to ensure that all the above conclusions from
the considerations comply with the minimum requirements set out in the various
Construction Regulations and in the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act 1974

FIRE SAFETY
The fire triangle requirement

Fire or burning fuel is the combination of fuel with oxygen at high temperature.

Fuel – combustible substances

Oxygen –air are the requirement for fire to occur
Heat –sparks, friction, match

Classification of fire
Class A- fire involving from solid materials .this are extinguishers by water (cooling)
Class B –fire involving flammable liquids, extinguishers by foam or carbon dioxide
Class C- fire involving flammable gases extinguished by dry powder
Class D–fire involving flammable metals extinguished by dry powder

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Types of extinguishers and equipment

Types of Color code Main use

extinguisher
and equipment
Water red Wood, paper or fabrics
Foam Cream Petrol,oil,fats and paints
Carbon dioxide Black Electrical equipment
Dry powder blue Liquids,gases,electrical equipment

Sand bucket Wood

Blankets
Tree branches

Fire extinguisher check list

 Never use fire extinguisher unless you have be trained to do so
 Always read the operating instructions on the extinguisher before use
 Do not use water extinguisher on oils and fats as this can cause an explosion
 Do not use carbon dioxide extinguishers or halon, types in a small room as this could cause
suffocation.
 Do not use water extinguishers on electric fires because of the risk of electric shock and
explosion

Assignment 1
1. In groups of 5 discuss how you can administer first aid to an electrocuted person (10mrks)
2. Discuss how the following types of fire extinguisher are used
i. Blanket
ii. Tree branches
iii. Sand buckets

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