COMPUTER GRAPHICS

TECHNOLOGYSafety Test Preparation

3 TOPICS TO COVER Safety in the Lab Ergonomics OSHA

BASIC SAFETY ISSUES No food/drink in the classroom. No practical jokes in the classroom. Do not use chairs to roll around

classroom. Don’t lean back in chairs– You may fall! Be considerate of one another. Keep your work area neat and clean –

including the floor around you. Return all materials and resources used

during class to their proper place after each class meeting.

BASIC SAFETY ISSUES CONT’D If a piece of equipment does not work

properly, discontinue using it and notify your supervisor/instructor of the problem.

When removing a plus from and electrical outlet, NEVER pull the cord – ALWAYS pull the electrical plug itself.

When adjusting or cleaning a printer or other machine in the classroom, the power should be turned off.

Keep hair, hands, and jewelry out of printers, disk drives, copiers, etc.

BASIC SAFETY ISSUES CONT’D Do not insert fingers or objects into

electrical outlets. Never use the paper cutter or exacto

knives without your instructor’s permission.

When using the paper cutter or exacto knife use extreme caution.

EMERGENCY PLANS FOR TORNADO Code Blue Stay with your instructor at all times Proceed to the administrative hallway in

the building Talk in low tones Stay seated

EMERGENCY PLANS FOR FIRE Code Red Stay with your instructor Follow directions Exit through the front doors of the

building and stay on the grass! Return to the classroom only when

instructed to do so by higher authorities.

EMERGENCY PLANS FOR LOCKDOWN Turn off the lights Proceed quickly and quietly to the

storage room. Sit and wait for instructions before we

exit– Stay out of sight!

ERGONOMICS DEFINED The study of the relationship between

workers and their work environments. Combination of two Greek words: “Ergos” = work “Numos” = natural law or system Uses many different sciences to help us

understand effects of the job on the worker.

PROPER LIFTING PROCEDURES Size up your work load Wide stable base of support Get a good grip Use the power position Get close to the load Don’t twist or jerk Use your legs, not your back! Get help if you need it!

PROPER LIFTING ILLUSTRATIONS

Always use your legs, not your back!

FIVE CAUSES OF MOST BACK INJURIES Posture Body Mechanics/Work Habits Stressful Living Loss of Flexibility Poor Conditioning

RISK FACTORS FOR BACK INJURY

RISK FACTORS FOR BACK INJURY

RISK FACTORS FOR BACK INJURIES

Try to avoid: Lifting with your back bowed out. Bending and reaching with your back

bowed out. Slouched sitting. Twisting or jerking movements. Lack of proper rest. Obesity and poor nutrition. Stressful work and living habits.

PROPER SETUP FOR WORKSTATION

ERGONOMIC CHAIR• Backrest should provide good lumbar support – corresponds to natural curvature of your spine.• Seat should be comfortable and at a height to comfortably allow your feet to rest flat on the floor or footrest. • Armrests should be soft allowing your shoulders to relax and elbows to stay close to your body. • Chair should have a five-leg base with rollers that allow it to move easily on the floor. Your chairs are adjustable. Make sure you are comfortable

and sitting up straight as you work.

ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD• Keyboard is placed directly in front of you.

• Elbows are close to your body and the shoulders are in relaxed position.

• Wrists are straight and in -line with your forearms.

KEYBOARD PROBABLE RISKS

Wrong: keyboard placed at an uncomfortable distance

Wrong: Keyboard too close

Your keyboard/mouse trays are adjustable. Make sure they are kept at an appropriate and comfortable distance!

SYMPTOMS OF ERGONOMIC PROBLEMS Pain in wrists, forearms, elbows, neck, or back followed

by discomfort Aching or tingling Dry, itchy, or sore eyes Loss of color in affected regions Blurred or double vision Cramping Numbness or a burning sensation in the hand Reduced grip strength in the hand Swelling or stiffness in the wrist joints Reduced range of motion in the shoulder, neck, or

back Weakness Tension stress headaches and related ailments

MAIN CAUSES OF ERGONOMIC PROBLEMSAvoid the following: Awkward posture Frequent repetitive motion tasks Stress at workplace Vibrations Forceful movements Poor workplace setup Sitting in same posture for continuous

long hours Lower back support is inadequate

SPECIFIC ERGONOMIC PHYSICAL PROBLEMS - CVS Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms related to vision here:

Visual fatigue Blurred or double vision Burning and watering eyes Headaches and frequent changes in

prescription glasses American Optometric Association

defines, C.V.S as “A complex of eye and vision problems which are experienced during and related to computer use.”

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

When the protective lining of the tendons within the carpal tunnel inflamed and swell or when the ligament that forms the roof becomes thicker and broader leads to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. • Interruption of Sleep with Hands Numbness and in Pain • Frequent Pain in Hand and Wrist • Neck or shoulder pain on same side as hand discomfort. • Poor Circulation of blood in Hands there by Hands falling asleep • Weakness in Hand and Wrist- Pain Radiating up the Forearm Cold Hands • Forearms warm and Loss of Grip Strength by Fore arms • Loss of Feeling in Fingers and Thumb • Dropping Objects especially small objects.

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health

Administration

Mission – to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

OSHA SERVICES Approximately 1,200 inspectors,

complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices across the nation.

This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs.

OSHA’S LINK TO ERGONOMIC ISSUES:General Duty Clause Section 5.a.1 of

OSHA Act

“Furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death of serious physical harm to his employees.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OSHA Founded in 1971 Agency that sets and enforces

standards for safe and healthful working conditions

To discourage companies from NOT following guidelines, OSHA will make random inspections to ensure compliance.

Nearly ALL employees are subject to OSHA standards.

NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH OSHA STANDARDS? Fines – ranging from small to very large. OSHA could order a “cease and desist” –

the entire company and it’s operations shut down.

ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE A build-up of charge difference between

a person and an object, often caused by friction between synthetic materials, or electronic equipment (such as TV screens), usually felt as a “shock” when the statically charged person touches a grounded object.

This usually pertains to a person getting shocked while working with the inside of a computer. It can cause severe damage to your computer.

STAYING SAFE Make sure you follow the guidelines in

this presentation to avoid health risks and other physical threats associated with the computer lab.