WORKSHOP SAFETY
Introduction
Safety; it is the condition of being free from danger, risk or threat of harm, injury or loss of life
and property whether caused by intentional human actions or by accidents.
Workshop safety is an important aspect in any sewing industry either in hand sewing, using a
sewing machine both electrical or manual sewing machine. Individuals encounter several risk
factors as they go about their daily activities hence safety measures have to be taken seriously.
Safety is important to everyone and it is one’s responsibility to maintain a safe working place.
The following rules have been put in place to ensure the safety of everyone;
Workshop safety rules
Disconnect the sewing machine by pulling out the plug from the wall outlet, not by jerking
the cord. Jerking the cord can cause the cord to become worn or frayed.
Disconnect the plug from the wall outlet first then the plug from the machine. Otherwise,
electricity continues going through the cord and you could receive an electrical shock.
Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating, or
when making any other user servicing adjustments
Place pins, needles and tools in a container when not using them. Do not leave them loosely
on the table or on the floor.
Pins and needles should never be placed in your mouth.
When not in use, pointed tools should be left closed.
Handle sharp tools with the handle first.
When in doubt, ask the instructor.
Report any injuries or accidents immediately to the instructor. Also, Report a breakage to a
tool or machine to the instructor.
Wipe up any oil spillage on the floor immediately to prevent anyone from slipping. Keep
aisles clear at all times.
Operate only the machines you have been trained to operate
Make only adjustments you have been trained to perform
When on duty wear low shoes and close-fitting clothing. Avoid loose fitting sleeves,
sweaters, jewelry, ties, and ribbons when operating the machine. If your hair is long, tie it
back.
, Always practice proper posture to reduce fatigue, help prevent accidents and increase
efficiency.
Use both hands to raise and lower the machine head
Reasons for workshop rules
To protect property
To prevent loss of lives
To enable smooth flowing of work
To prevent accidents
Accidents in the workshop
An accident is unexpected or undesired sudden event that results to danger, or damage, or injury.
Prevention of accidents is important in any working condition.
Types of workshop accidents
There are various types of accident among which are;
Cuts and injury from cutting tools, broken bottles and metallic objects
Injury from faulty machines and tools.
Contact with acidic or corrosive chemicals.
Electric shock
Suffocation
Falls
Emission of toxic gases and inhalation
Fire outbreak
Causes of accidents
Not wearing protective clothing such as gloves when handling chemicals.
Wearing loose clothing which could be trapped when the machine is in motion.
Ignoring or disobeying workshop rules
Running or moving carelessly in the workshop.
Failing to follow workshop procedures.
Using machines and tools when one is generally sick or fatigued
Leaving iron boxes on for a long time or dropping charcoal iron boxes.
Exposed electrical wires from electric sockets
Lack of enough light in the workshop
, Lack of ventilation
Spillage of water and oil on the floor.
Prevention of accidents
Using proper tools for each job at hand
Following workshop instructions
Avoid oily, greasy or wet floors in order to prevent falling.
Keep away sharp and broken objects that can pierce and injure someone.
Avoid using old or worn-out tools.
Concentrate and focus on the job at hand
Be alert while working on moving machines, tools and chemicals
Workshop fire accidents
Workshop fire accidents are mishaps or occurrences of fire outbreaks in a factory or workshop.
Fire accidents are in three main categories namely;
1. Electric fire – this type of fire is caused by faulty electric circuits, power surge or leaving on
hot electric appliances on for long.
2. Chemical fire – this type of fire occurs from inflammable gases and fluids like spirit, diesel,
thinner, petrol etc. and therefore they should be handled with care.
3. Wood, paper and cloth – this type of fire is also called solid fire. Avoid keeping such
materials near fire or intense heating equipment.
Class Source How to put it off
A Paper, wood, cloth Water, sand, fire blanket
B Oil Form, sand
C Electrical Carbon dioxide
D Combustible metals Form, carbon dioxide
Table 1: classes of fire
Firefighting equipment
There are many types of firefighting equipment depending on the type of fires. They include fire
blankets, sand buckets, fire extinguishers, and firefighting engines among others.
1. Fire extinguishers
, Type of extinguisher Type of fire
1. Water extinguisher They are used for Class A fires.
Water removes heat and extinguish the fire.
2. Carbon dioxide extinguishers Used for class C and B fires
Can be used on electrical/electronic equipment.
3. AFF Foam Type Extinguishers Used for class B and A
It has a blanketing effect excluding oxygen from the
surface of the fuel as it spreads on the fuel.
4. Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) DCP extinguishers puts out fire by coating the fuel
surface with chemical powder.
Extinguisher
This separates the fuel from the oxygen in the air and
prevent vapor formation.
Used for class B and C
Table 2: fire extinguishers
How to use a fire extinguisher.
- Hold it upright
- Withdraw safety cap or pull safety pin.
- Press the lever fully down. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
2. Sand bucket
In every workshop there should be a metal sand bucket painted red and filled with sand that can
be used in putting off small fires.to put out a fire, sprinkle sand over the fire. The sand chokes the
fuel out of oxygen. Note wet sand is not suitable especially when putting out electric fires.
3. Fire blanket
The fire blanket is manufactured from woven fiber glass.it resembles a woven sack. It is good for
putting out domestic and industrial fires. The blanket is stored in a case. When there is fire gently
cover the fire to put out the burning fuel.in case of an industrial fire, wrap yourself tightly.
4. Fire alarm
Introduction
Safety; it is the condition of being free from danger, risk or threat of harm, injury or loss of life
and property whether caused by intentional human actions or by accidents.
Workshop safety is an important aspect in any sewing industry either in hand sewing, using a
sewing machine both electrical or manual sewing machine. Individuals encounter several risk
factors as they go about their daily activities hence safety measures have to be taken seriously.
Safety is important to everyone and it is one’s responsibility to maintain a safe working place.
The following rules have been put in place to ensure the safety of everyone;
Workshop safety rules
Disconnect the sewing machine by pulling out the plug from the wall outlet, not by jerking
the cord. Jerking the cord can cause the cord to become worn or frayed.
Disconnect the plug from the wall outlet first then the plug from the machine. Otherwise,
electricity continues going through the cord and you could receive an electrical shock.
Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating, or
when making any other user servicing adjustments
Place pins, needles and tools in a container when not using them. Do not leave them loosely
on the table or on the floor.
Pins and needles should never be placed in your mouth.
When not in use, pointed tools should be left closed.
Handle sharp tools with the handle first.
When in doubt, ask the instructor.
Report any injuries or accidents immediately to the instructor. Also, Report a breakage to a
tool or machine to the instructor.
Wipe up any oil spillage on the floor immediately to prevent anyone from slipping. Keep
aisles clear at all times.
Operate only the machines you have been trained to operate
Make only adjustments you have been trained to perform
When on duty wear low shoes and close-fitting clothing. Avoid loose fitting sleeves,
sweaters, jewelry, ties, and ribbons when operating the machine. If your hair is long, tie it
back.
, Always practice proper posture to reduce fatigue, help prevent accidents and increase
efficiency.
Use both hands to raise and lower the machine head
Reasons for workshop rules
To protect property
To prevent loss of lives
To enable smooth flowing of work
To prevent accidents
Accidents in the workshop
An accident is unexpected or undesired sudden event that results to danger, or damage, or injury.
Prevention of accidents is important in any working condition.
Types of workshop accidents
There are various types of accident among which are;
Cuts and injury from cutting tools, broken bottles and metallic objects
Injury from faulty machines and tools.
Contact with acidic or corrosive chemicals.
Electric shock
Suffocation
Falls
Emission of toxic gases and inhalation
Fire outbreak
Causes of accidents
Not wearing protective clothing such as gloves when handling chemicals.
Wearing loose clothing which could be trapped when the machine is in motion.
Ignoring or disobeying workshop rules
Running or moving carelessly in the workshop.
Failing to follow workshop procedures.
Using machines and tools when one is generally sick or fatigued
Leaving iron boxes on for a long time or dropping charcoal iron boxes.
Exposed electrical wires from electric sockets
Lack of enough light in the workshop
, Lack of ventilation
Spillage of water and oil on the floor.
Prevention of accidents
Using proper tools for each job at hand
Following workshop instructions
Avoid oily, greasy or wet floors in order to prevent falling.
Keep away sharp and broken objects that can pierce and injure someone.
Avoid using old or worn-out tools.
Concentrate and focus on the job at hand
Be alert while working on moving machines, tools and chemicals
Workshop fire accidents
Workshop fire accidents are mishaps or occurrences of fire outbreaks in a factory or workshop.
Fire accidents are in three main categories namely;
1. Electric fire – this type of fire is caused by faulty electric circuits, power surge or leaving on
hot electric appliances on for long.
2. Chemical fire – this type of fire occurs from inflammable gases and fluids like spirit, diesel,
thinner, petrol etc. and therefore they should be handled with care.
3. Wood, paper and cloth – this type of fire is also called solid fire. Avoid keeping such
materials near fire or intense heating equipment.
Class Source How to put it off
A Paper, wood, cloth Water, sand, fire blanket
B Oil Form, sand
C Electrical Carbon dioxide
D Combustible metals Form, carbon dioxide
Table 1: classes of fire
Firefighting equipment
There are many types of firefighting equipment depending on the type of fires. They include fire
blankets, sand buckets, fire extinguishers, and firefighting engines among others.
1. Fire extinguishers
, Type of extinguisher Type of fire
1. Water extinguisher They are used for Class A fires.
Water removes heat and extinguish the fire.
2. Carbon dioxide extinguishers Used for class C and B fires
Can be used on electrical/electronic equipment.
3. AFF Foam Type Extinguishers Used for class B and A
It has a blanketing effect excluding oxygen from the
surface of the fuel as it spreads on the fuel.
4. Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) DCP extinguishers puts out fire by coating the fuel
surface with chemical powder.
Extinguisher
This separates the fuel from the oxygen in the air and
prevent vapor formation.
Used for class B and C
Table 2: fire extinguishers
How to use a fire extinguisher.
- Hold it upright
- Withdraw safety cap or pull safety pin.
- Press the lever fully down. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
2. Sand bucket
In every workshop there should be a metal sand bucket painted red and filled with sand that can
be used in putting off small fires.to put out a fire, sprinkle sand over the fire. The sand chokes the
fuel out of oxygen. Note wet sand is not suitable especially when putting out electric fires.
3. Fire blanket
The fire blanket is manufactured from woven fiber glass.it resembles a woven sack. It is good for
putting out domestic and industrial fires. The blanket is stored in a case. When there is fire gently
cover the fire to put out the burning fuel.in case of an industrial fire, wrap yourself tightly.
4. Fire alarm
