Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
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HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Grade code: 1.1.2.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.2.LI.3
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
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In Ghana, from the local roadside mechanic (`fitter`) fixing a tro-tro, to the carpenter in Kokomlemle making furniture, to the electrician wiring a new house in East Legon, engineering practice is all around us. However, the tools and machines that make this work possible can also be very dangerous if not used correctly. This lesson is about keeping ourselves and others safe in a workshop environment. Understanding these safety rules is the first and most important step to becoming a skilled and responsible engineer or technician. It is not just about avoiding cuts and bruises; it is about preventing serious injuries, protecting our eyesight, and creating a professional work environment.
This section breaks down the essential knowledge needed to understand workshop safety. A. Fundamental Definitions Workshop: Any room or building where engineering work, such as manufacturing, repairs, or fabrication, is carried out. This could be the school's workshop, a carpenter's shop, or a mechanic's garage. Hazard: Something with the potential to cause harm. For example, a sharp chisel, a faulty electrical wire, or a slippery floor. Risk: The likelihood or chance that a hazard will actually cause harm. For instance, the risk of getting a deep cut from a sharp chisel is high if you are not using it correctly. Safety Protocol: A set of rules or procedures designed to prevent accidents and injuries. Following these protocols minimizes risk. B. General Workshop Safety Rules (The "Golden Rules")
These are rules that apply at all times in any workshop. Personal Conduct and Attitude: Always be focused: The workshop is not a playground. Pay full attention to your task. No horseplay: Do not run, push, or joke around. A moment of distraction can lead to a serious accident. Report all accidents: No matter how small, report any injury or equipment damage to your teacher or supervisor immediately. Know the location of safety equipment: Be aware of where the first aid box, fire extinguisher, and emergency exits are. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is special clothing or equipment worn to protect you from hazards. Eyes: Always wear safety goggles or glasses when drilling, grinding, cutting, or hammering to protect from flying particles. Hands: Wear appropriate gloves. Leather gloves for handling rough materials, and rubber gloves for certain chemicals. *Never wear gloves near rotating machinery like a drilling machine, as they can get caught.* Feet: Wear strong, closed-toe shoes, preferably steel-toed safety boots, to protect your feet from falling objects. Slippers (`chalewote`) are strictly forbidden. Body: Wear an overall or a workshop apron to protect your clothes and skin. Avoid loose-fitting clothes, as they can get caught in machines. Lungs: Use a dust mask when sanding wood or working in a dusty environment. Tool and Equipment Handling: Use the right tool for the job: Never use a screwdriver as a chisel or a wrench as a hammer. Inspect tools before use: Check for damage like cracked handles, loose heads on hammers, or frayed electrical cords. Do not use damaged tools. Carry tools safely: Carry sharp tools with the point facing downwards. Never put sharp tools in your pocket. Clean and return tools: After use, clean your tools and return them to their designated storage place. Housekeeping: Keep the workspace clean and tidy: A cluttered floor is a tripping hazard. Clean up spills (oil, water) immediately. Store materials safely: Stack materials neatly so they cannot fall over. Ensure good lighting and ventilation: You need to see what you are doing, and fresh air is important, especially when working with paints or chemicals. C. Specific Safety Protocols for Basic Hand Tools
Here we look at the specific rules for some common tools you will use. The Hammer (e.g., Claw Hammer) Function: Used for driving nails, fitting parts, and prying things apart (with the claw). Safety Protocols: Before Use: Check that the hammer head is firmly attached to the handle. A loose head can fly off and cause serious injury. The handle should be free of cracks and splinters. During Use: Grip the handle firmly near the end, not close to the head. This gives you better control and more power. Keep your eye on the nail head, not on the hammer. Start with gentle taps to set the nail, then use firm, square blows. Make sure no one is standing too close to you. After Use: Place it on the workbench where it cannot roll off, or return it to the toolbox. The Screwdriver (e.g., Flathead or Phillips/Star) Function: Used for driving or removing screws. Safety Protocols: Before Use: Choose the right type and size of screwdriver to match the screw head. A poor fit will damage the screw and can cause the screwdriver to slip. Ensure the tip is clean and not worn out. During Use: Never hold the workpiece in one hand and use the screwdriver with the other. If the screwdriver slips, you will stab your hand. Secure the workpiece in a vice or on a bench. Apply firm, steady pressure directly in line with the screw. Keep your body balanced and your other hand safely out of the slip path. Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar, chisel, or punch. It can break and send sharp fragments flying. The Hand Drill (Manual or Electric) Function: Used for making holes in materials like wood, metal, or plastic. Safety Protocols: Before Use: Secure your work: Clamp the piece of material firmly in a bench vice or with G-clamps. Never try to hold it by hand. Use the correct drill bit for the material and ensure it is sharp. For electric drills, check that the power cord is not damaged. During Use: Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from shavings (`swarf`). Apply steady, even pressure. Forcing the drill can break the bit. Tie back long hair and remove any loose jewellery. Be aware of where the drill bit will exit the material. Make sure there is a waste piece of wood underneath to protect the bench and prevent splintering. After Use: Wait for the drill bit to stop rotating completely before putting the drill down. Unplug electric drills after use. The Bench Vice Function: A device attached to a workbench to hold a workpiece securely while you work on it. Safety Protocols: Before Use: Ensure the vice is securely bolted to the workbench. During Use: Clamp the workpiece in the centre of the jaws for the best grip. Tighten the vice just enough to hold the work firmly. Over-tightening can damage the workpiece or the vice itself. Never use a hammer on the vice handle to tighten or loosen it. Be careful not to pinch your fingers between the jaws. After Use: Clean any filings or shavings from the vice. Close the jaws lightly and leave the handle in a vertical position to prevent people from walking into it.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)