John Glenn Matic BSABE 2-3
ENGR 2320 – Materials and Processes for ABE
Laboratory Exercise 4 – Workshop Practices and Safety
I. Introduction
The workplace is the most integral part of executing your daily job and its
environment plays a very important role in shaping your work experience and also the
current and future state of your workmates, heads, and the company itself. So, the
criteria of having the best environment for your workplace revolves with words safe
and protected. The health and safety of the employees and anyone on the site relies
on these key words and builds the trust and chemistry that a team need.
It is the responsibility of the company to look after its employee’s protection
and condition. It is their duty to assure that every and each of the workers return to
their homes safe and sound. In achieving these scenarios, a good company provides a
set of safety rules and proper mode of practice inside the workplace. Every employee
must know or aware of the rules which will lead them to safety while not hurting any
of their rights as a worker. Also, all of them must have enough knowledge and
practice of their assignments and equipment to be operated. With these simple
procedures, the workplace will both benefit the employees and employers because
human loss or injuries are immeasurable and the company will retain a good public
name.
The devotion of both sides is important to assure a safe and protected
environment for everyone. Having the power of prevention is better than living with
the consequences of cure, or worst, a blood’s stain that was stuck forever. The
accidents, injuries, and deaths are avoidable and with proper practice and clear
implementation of safety rules, this can help them improve in productivity and
quality of the products and a lot more.
II. Objectives
After performing the exercise, you are expected to:
a. Identify the common sources of accidents in workshops.
b. Identify and discuss the methods of protection against accidents.
c. Identify applicable safety and health standards in workshops.
III. Activities
Research on the internet or available textbook and answer the following:
1. List as many as possible scenarios or sources of accidents in
workshops.
Slip, trip, and falls on the same level
Manual lifting and handling
Struck by object
Fall from height
Acts of violence
Contact with machinery
Strike against something fixed /stationary
2. List and discuss the methods of protection against accidents when
working in workshops.
Avoid slips and falls
Repair damage to flooring that could cause someone to trip and keep
hallways clear of clutter. Outside, ensure all walkways are shoveled and
salted immediately after snow falls.
Be aware of electrical hazards
If you have several items plugged in at desks, make sure you invest in an
Uninterruptible Power Supply to protect computers and keep the power
from spiking. If renovations are being done that involve electrical
systems, move staff to a safe work area.
Limit manual handling and lifting
If jobs require people to lift items regularly, ensure a system is in place
to get at hard-to-reach items. If they need to lift heavy objects, make
sure employees have the tools they need and know operate them safely.
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in plain sight
If you have a large office, place several kits throughout the area and
make sure someone on staff is trained in first aid.
Create an emergency action plan
Outline emergency exits, practice fire drills, co-ordinate safe meeting
places and create a system to account for employees’ whereabouts.
Identify staff who may need extra help in an emergency
Involve them in planning for their safety, and make sure the office is
accessible, prepared for fires, power outages and other unexpected
events.
Promote fire safety
Identify potential fire hazards in your office and train staff how to use
fire extinguishers.
Avoid injuries by storing items safely
Place heavier items lower to the ground and distribute weight evenly in
cabinets and on shelves.
Help reduce back pain and repetitive strain injuries
Make sure desk chairs are properly adjusted, and computer monitors are
at the right height for each user. Proper ergonomics will aid the
longevity and health of staff that work at desks all day.
Protect your business against water damage
Service HVAC equipment regularly. Pipes and other components in the
system can leak, making the working environment more humid than it
should be, which may give rise to other problems like mold.
3. Identify the different safety and health standards when working in
workshops.
Be well lit;
Be adequately ventilated and where necessary have local exhaust ventilation;
Have a good standard of housekeeping;
Be provided with adequate fire-fighting equipment;
Only contain flammable material necessary for the day-to-day operation of the
workshop;
Only have portable tools that normally operate at 110 volts;
Have clearly identified pedestrian routes and, where possible, reversing of
mobile plant should be avoided;
Have pits that are covered when not in use or have guard rails in place;
Have an inspection scheme for all tools and equipment so that they are safe to
use;
Have access to workstations restricted to maintenance personnel;
Have gas bottles racked and gas welding bottles should be fitted with a
flashback arrestor;
Control the use of naked flames;
Have adequate sanitary and hygienic washing facilities;
Have procedures for waste management of used oils, tires, batteries, brake and
clutch linings etc.
IV. References
https://gocontractor.com/blog/workplace-accidents-happen/
https://www.cooperators.ca/en/Resources/stay-safe/safety-at-work.aspx
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=3783
https://bastionsafe.medium.com/top-10-reasons-why-workplace-safety-is-important-
8797c978e1f9
