Safety in the Workshop

Personal Protective Equipment in the Past

• People have used personal protective equipment (PPE) for centuries to protect themselves while they work.

• Medieval knights had armour

• Blacksmiths have always used a leather apron

Cowboys wear leather chaps 

Eskimos wear a heavy parka, gloves, and boots

Firemen wear heavy coats and special helmets

Personal protective equipment today, as in the past, makes working safer

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is specialised clothing or equipment worn by Students for protection against health and safety hazards.

• Personal protective equipment is designed to protect many parts of the body, i.e., eyes, head, face, hands, feet, and ears.

• Schools are required to conduct an assessment to determine the various physical hazards that may be present in your work area.

•Physical hazards include:

Sources of motion; Sources of high and low temperatures; Sources of light radiation     - welding     - brazing     - heat treating     - high intensity lights;

Sources of falling objects; Sources of sharp objects; Sources of rolling or pinching objects; Sources of electric hazards; and Floor conditions.

Types of Safety Hazards

• Toxic Gases, Vapours, and Liquids

Toxic chemicals in the form of gases, vapours, and liquids can damage your eyes.

NOTE: Some manufacturing processes produce hazardous gases, vapours and liquids. Always check with your Teacher to learn the type of eye or face protection you will need to use in order to work safely.

Potential Hazards

• Flying Objects or Particles

Operations such as grinding, Drilling, sanding, and hammering often create flying objects or particles that can damage your eyes.

Potential Hazards

Large objects: 

swinging chains, cables and ropes,

tools that are thrown or fall,

any sharp objects such as knives, scissors, pencils, etc.

walking or falling into obstructions can damage your eyes or face.

Potential Hazards

• Electrical Hazards

Any time you work around electricity, there is the potential for arcs and sparks to occur.

Take time to talk with your Teacher concerning the type of eye protection you should wear if you will be working around electrical hazards.

Potential Hazards

• Lasers

Laser beams present a new hazard in some workplaces.

Because there are different types of lasers, check with your Teacher to determine the type of eye protection you need to use while working with lasers.

School Responsibilities

• Follow ALL Warnings and Precautions

• Take time to read any and all warnings and precautions that may appear on tools, equipment, chemicals and personal protective equipment.

Student Responsibilities 

Listen and follow the directions that you may be given by your Teacher.

• We want you to return home today, and everyday, safe and sound to your family and friends.

• Report any and ALL unsafe conditions you may find in your work area to your Teacher.

• REMEMBER: Safety is a team effort!

Eye Injuries:

• Thousands of people are blinded each year from work related eye injuries.

• Injuries that could have been prevented, if only people would have used eye or face protection.

The Delicate Structure of the Eye • Your eyes are very delicate. You can think

of them as the colour television cameras for your brain. Like a camera, your eyes include:

• - A lens that focuses light;  - An iris that controls the amount of light that enters the eye;  - Receptors that "pick up" the image of what you see, - An optic nerve that serves as a "cable" to transmit information from the receptors in your eye to your brain.

• Unlike a television camera that is made of plastic and metal, your eye is made of soft tissues and blood vessels. Damage your eyes, and you have big trouble. Trouble that is often permanent.

• Cornea : The front transparent part of the eye, protective envelope of the sclera or the white of the eye.

• Iris : Rear part of the choroid, rich in colouring materials and blood vessels. This is the eye nourishing tissue. It contracts or expands depending on the light intensity.

• Pupil : opening at the centre of the iris, the diameter of which increases or reduces depending on the light intensity.

• Retina : Nervous membrane at the back of the eye. The retina captures light rays and sends them to the brain through the optic nerve.

• Lens : Bi-convex transparent lens about 9mm diameter. It is composed of flexible fibres laid out in layers, and forces light rays to converge into the retina to give focused vision. The lens may become opaque, and may necessitate a cataract operation which removes the lens.

What Types of Accidents Cause Eye Injuries?

• The major types of accidents that cause blindness include:

- Objects striking the eye  - Contact with chemicals and

other  hazardous materials;- Being struck by swinging

objects such as chains and ropes;

- Viewing radiant energy sources such as welding operations or lasers.

Protective Measures 

• Machine Guards Many types of machines such as

lathes, grinders, and sanders are equipped with guards, shields and screens.

Always make sure that guards, shields, and screens are in place and in good working order before using these types of machines. And, don't forget to wear eye protection.

If Guards are not in position, tell the teacher.

Protective Measures

• Work Area Barriers Operations such as sanding,

grinding, welding, and lathe operations produce dust, vapours, and flying particles.

To protect other workers, work area barriers such as movable screens and barriers should be set up to separate workers and bystanders from hazardous operations

Protective Measures

• Lighting

Good lighting is important in work areas. Good lighting reduces eye strain and glare.

It also promotes both safety and improved productivity.

Protective Measures

• Signs and Warnings

Obstructions and protruding objects should be identified and marked.

Use caution when working around obstructions and protruding objects.

Protective Measures

• Safe Work Practices

As you work: - Read and follow all warnings

and precautions that may be found on equipment and hazardous materials; 

- Do not throw tools or participate in horseplay; 

- Keep sharp or pointed objects away from your eyes; and 

- Follow your Teachers instructions for working safely.

Personal Protective Equipment 

Safety Glasses Safety glasses are perhaps the most widely used type of eye protection. While they may look similar to regular glasses, they are much stronger

and more resistant to impact and heat than regular glasses. In addition, most safety glasses are equipped with side shields that give you protection from hazards that may not be directly in front of you. Both prescription and non-prescription safety glasses are available. In addition, a wide variety of lens coatings are available for special work situations. Safety glasses should be Z-87 approved to meet OSHA regulations.

Personal Protective Equipment

Goggles Goggles give you more protection than safety glasses because they fit

closer to your face and surround the eye area, Goggles give more protection in situations where you might encounter

splashing liquids, fumes, vapours, powders, dusts, and mists. Different types of goggles are available.

They must indicate that they are chemical splash goggles to be worn for that purpose.

Personal Protective Equipment

Face Shields Face shields offer you full face protection and are often used around

operations which expose you to molten metal, chemical splashes, or flying particles. Many face shields can be used while wearing a hard hat.

NOTE: You should always wear safety glasses or goggles when using a face shield for added protection. Face shields alone are NOT considered adequate eye protection.

Care of Eye Protection Equipment 

You can usually use mild soap and water.

You may also use special wipes that are designed for cleaning protective eye equipment.

Never use abrasive soaps, rough paper, or cloth towels. These items will scratch and damage your equipment.

Always keep your eye protection equipment in good working condition. If it is damaged, have it repaired or replaced.

Store your eye protection equipment in a sanitary, cool, dry area away from moisture. 

Read the manufacturer's directions and   warnings before using any eye protection equipment. 

If you have any questions concerning your eye protection equipment, talk with your Teacher.

Why Hand Protection is Important

• Take a moment to hold your hands out in front of you. Look at them. They are the only two hands you will ever have. 

• It has been estimated that almost 20% of all disabling accidents on the job involve the hands. Without your fingers or hands, your ability to work would be greatly reduced.

• Human hands are unique. No other creature in the world has hands that can grasp, hold, move, and manipulate objects like human hands. They are one of your greatest assets. And, as such, must be protected and cared for.

Potential Hazards

• Traumatic Injuries

You can suffer a traumatic injury to your hands in many ways. 

- Tools and machines with sharp edges can cut your hands. - Staples, screwdrivers, nails, chisels, and stiff wire can puncture your hands.  - Getting your hands caught in machinery can sprain, crush, or remove your hands and fingers.

Preventative Measures 

• Engineering Controls

Machine guards and safety mechanisms are designed to protect your hands and fingers.

WARNING: Never remove machine guards or bypass safety mechanisms. Check with your School’s lockout-tag-out procedures before attempting to put your hands into machinery.

Preventative Measures 

• Housekeeping and Hygiene Poorly maintained machinery,

tools, sloppy work areas, and cluttered aisles all contribute to hand injuries.

Good hygiene includes hand-washing. Hand-washing helps to remove germs and dirt from your hands. Clean hands are less susceptible to infection and other skin problems such as contact dermatitis.

Remember!  Your hands are one of your greatest assets.

Protect them!

Why Head Protection is Important 

• Your head is a very delicate part of your body. In and around your head are: 

- Your eyes, with which you see; - Your ears, with which you hear;  - Your nose, with which you smell;  - Your mouth, with which you eat and

speak; and  - Your brain, with which you think.

Injuries to the head are very serious. For this reason, head protection and safety are very important.

Potential Hazards

• Impact to the Head

Falling or flying objects are a common cause of head injuries.

Also, falling or walking into hard objects can cause head injuries.

These injuries include neck sprains, concussions and skull fractures.

Potential Hazards

• Electrical Shocks • Accidents involving electricity result in

electrical shocks and burns.

Why Foot Protection is Important

• Scientists and engineers for centuries have marvelled at the design and structure of the human foot. The human foot is rigid enough to support the weight of your entire body, and yet flexible enough to allow you to run, dance, play sports, and to take you anywhere you want to go.

• Without your feet and toes, your ability to work at your job would be greatly reduced.

Potential Hazards 

• Impact Injuries

If you have ever stubbed your toe, you know that impact injuries can hurt.

At work, heavy objects can fall on your feet.

If you work around sharp objects, you can step on something sharp and puncture your foot.

Potential Hazards 

• Compression Injuries

Heavy machinery, equipment, and other objects can roll over your feet.

The result of these types of accidents is often broken or crushed bones.

Potential Hazards

• Slipping

Oil, water, soaps, wax, and other chemicals can cause you to slip and fall.

Preventative Measures

• Housekeeping

Poorly maintained machinery, tools, sloppy work areas, and cluttered aisles all contribute to foot injuries.

Remember! Your feet are one of your greatest assets.

Protect them!

Remember!  Your Feet are one of your

greatest assets.

Protect them!

Safety Test

29 Questions

Students need to score 70% to pass