Safety in Workshop
Go to SLS to watch a safety video in D&T assigned to you. Complete the safety quiz
Workshops can be dangerous places. They are full of machines and tools that are designed to cut hard, rigid materials. Unfortunately, people are injured every year in the workshop through accidents. Sometimes these accidents are just bad luck, but in most instances, they are the result of people behaving wrongly, or not understanding how to do something correctly. As you read through this section on safety you will realize a lot of the safety precautions are common sense. Unfortunately, some people need this common sense to be emphasized. This section is divided into two further parts namely personal safety and safe practice.
Personal safety is about how you present yourself and how you behave in a workshop. It is all of the things you have to consider that do with you.
Safe practice is about how to use tools and machines in the workshop. This part consists of information that you must read in order to be safe whilst using tools and machines necessary for you to complete your artefact.
It is important you read through this section carefully and remember the information you read.
ALWAYS REMEMBER SAFETY STARTS FIRST WHEN YOU THINK SAFETY
General safety precautions in the design studio
1. Pupils must not enter the design studio without the presence of a D&T teacher.
2. No practical work is to be carried out without the presence of a D&T teacher/Workshop Instructor.
3. Pupils must not remove tools & equipment out of the design studio without the permission of a D&T teacher.
4. D&T teachers to instruct every new group of pupils on the safe use of machines, heating equipment, and tools.
5. D&T teachers will demonstrate how to handle machines, heating equipment, and tools.
6. Extreme care should be taken when using sharply pointed or sharp-edged tools and machines.
7. Pupils should not operate machines and equipment unless they have been instructed on the correct use and safety precautions.
8. Pupils should put on safety goggles, face masks during all practical sessions.
9. Pupils should not use tools that are blunt, badly worn, mushroomed or in poor condition.
10. Pupils must report any accidents or injuries, no matter how trivial, to D&T teacher.
During the first lesson
Pupils should not talk or walk unnecessarily in the design studio to avoid accidents.
Pupils should ask D&T teacher/Workshop Instructor when in doubt, all pupils are not allowed to consume drink/food in the workshops to avoid slipping due to wet surfaces.
All D&T teachers will brief pupils on the design studio safety regulations before/during the first practical lesson.
Before the start of every lesson
4. Pupils do not wear long-sleeved shirts, watches, rings, bracelets, and bangles.
5. Pupils to remove school ties and wear aprons or overalls.
6. Pupils with long hair to keep hair tied up neatly with hairband/clip/scarf.
7. All D&T teachers will brief pupils on the various safety precautions in situations when operating machines and equipment.
8. Ensure windows are opened for proper ventilation.
At the end of every lesson
9. Pupils must ensure all work area is cleaned up after each practical lesson.
10. Pupils to return all tools and equipment to the storage area. Pupils should not be dismissed if there is any missing item.
Safety with machines
A. When using a drilling machine, all pupils must
1. Put on goggles and apron.
2. Clamp workpiece tightly with the machine vice or an F-clamp.
3. Do not use hands to remove metal chips from the workpiece or spinning drill bit; stop the machine and use a brush.
4. Always start and stop the machine themselves.
5. Never crowd around the machine; stay behind the safety zone.
D. When using the scroll saw, all pupils must
1. Wear safety goggles and face mask
2. Not apply too much pressure when cutting.
3. Not place their fingers directly in-line with the saw blade.