Health and safety
Safe use of tools and materials is vital to everyone in the chain of production. Employers have a duty of care to ensure everyone is adequately trained to use tools and equipment.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn where recommended:
Examples of using PPE:
- protective gloves and aprons for work with heat, eg Joining a metal with a copper alloy at high temperature. metals
- goggles where there may be splashing or splinters, eg chemical use or using machinery
- Protective gloves made from a mesh of metal to protect against rotating blades. when cutting with a fast-moving blade
- a A protective cap to be worn on the finger to protect against needle wounds. to offer protection from puncture wounds when sewing through thick materials by hand
- ear protection when using or working around noisy equipment
- dust mask when spray painting or A process of using a rotary cutter to shape and cut material. wood
A lot of safe working practice is common sense, such as tying hair back or tucking in loose clothing, but it is important that workers follow the rules set out by their employer:
- machines cannot be left unattended
- all machines need to be fitted with an A safety switch to cut off the main power supply., which needs to be switched off when changes are being made, eg swapping a drill bit
- guards and A vacuum devise to take dust particles from the atmosphere. should be fitted where possible
- work should be clamped down when cutting to avoid the risk of movement
- tools should be stored safely when not in use
- signage must be in place where there may be a health and safety risk
- electrical items need to have passed a Test used to ensure electrical safety. to ensure they are safe to use
Workplaces are required by law to provide Process of working out the likelihood of harm or damage being caused by identified hazards. for the use of materials, chemicals and equipment. A risk assessment identifies hazards and what precautions need to be taken to minimise them.
These symbols identify the various hazards that are covered by the COSHH (Consideration of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, eg the use and storage of corrosive liquids like acid. COSHH reports should be provided by employers for any material considered hazardous to use.