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Computer Engineering Concepts- Home
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- 10 - Investigations
- 10.1 Health and Safety
10.1 Health and Safety
When working with computer equipment health and safety considerations must always come first. The level of danger varies with the type of equipment and type of work being done; therefore, it is very important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautionary measures when working with equipment that has the potential to cause serious injury. When working with computers and other electrical equipment the potential for electrocution and electrical burns is real. Therefore, it is better to think about safety first than later. Always follow the safety guidelines and warnings that are posted on various equipment, workplace related safety policies and procedures, and government regulations. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. So do your part, and when in doubt consult an expert. Never take chances.
Equipment Related Health and Safety
In the interest of personal safety and avoiding potential damage to equipment, always know what the equipment does and what safety precautions are needed when working with the equipment. Here are some practices to follow to ensure health and safety and prevent damage to equipment.
- To prevent electrical shocks and burns always turn off equipment and disconnect from the power supply before working with equipment.
- Follow manufacturers instructions for installation and operation of equipment. For example, power and operating environmental requirements.
- Follow manufacturers recommendations for service and upgrade of equipment. For example, using anti static precaution when handling sensitive electronic equipment.
Workplace Related Health and Safety
Workplace health and safety is a joint responsibility of both the employer and employee. When working with computer technology there are health and safety concerns that need to be considered to create a safe working environment. Here are some areas of concern:
- Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). Repetition of tasks causes damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves in the body. This can happen when using a computer.
- Proper wiring of electrical wiring to eliminate tripping hazards and electric shock.
- Using appropriate methods to move heavy computer equipment to avoid back injury.
- Encouraging short breaks to reduce eye strain when working with a computer display extensively.
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Explore Further: Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)
Do an online search to find answer the following questions related to RSI. What kind of computer related tasks can lead to RSI? What steps can be taken in a workplace environment to prevent RSI? How is RSI treated? |
Government Regulations
It is important to recognize that there are laws and regulations that govern health and safety. In Canada the labour code has protects employee health and safety. Employees have a right to know, a right to participate, and a right to refuse under the labour code. The right to know means that information on risks and hazards must be made available to employees. The right to participate means that employees should be given the opportunity to identify and help to find solutions to remove the risks and hazards. The right to refuse means that an employee can refuse to work if they have reasonable cause to believe that the workplace poses a danger to them.
Along with the labour code, some of the other laws and regulations that impact computer technology are the Electrical Safety Code and Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS).
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Explore Further: What is WHMIS?
Review the Government of Canada Website on WHMIS. Click Here. Why is WHMIS important for workplace safety? What would be an example of an application of WHMIS in the field of computer technology? Symbols are used to visually communicate workplace hazards in WHMIS. Which of these might be relevant in the field of computer technology? |