1.2 Safety Precautions in the Workshop

Safety means working in a way that protects you, other people, the machine and the job. Remember: accidents do not happen – they are caused, mostly by carelessness, hurry or lack of knowledge.

Causes of accidents

• Unsafe acts – working without guards, not wearing PPE, horse-play, using wrong tools, hurry.
• Unsafe conditions – oily floor, poor light, loose wiring, broken tools, no ventilation.

1. General safety

• Keep the floor clean and dry; wipe oil and coolant at once.
• Walk – never run – in the workshop. Use marked gangways.
• Keep tools in their proper place; never leave tools on the edge of the bench or on a machine.
• Know where the first-aid box, fire extinguisher and main switch are.
• Report every accident and injury, however small, to the instructor.

2. Personal safety

• Wear well-fitting overalls with sleeves buttoned or rolled up.
• Wear safety shoes. Do not wear rings, watches, chains or loose clothes near machines.
• Tie long hair and cover it with a cap.
• Do not remove chips with bare hands – use a brush or chip hook.

3. Machine safety

• Never operate a machine without the instructor's permission and full knowledge of it.
• Keep all guards in place.
• Stop the machine before measuring, cleaning or adjusting.
• Never leave a running machine unattended.
• Switch off the power in case of power failure.