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 4: 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
Water extinguisher They are used for Class A fires.
Water removes heat and extinguish the fire.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers Used for class C and B fires
Can be used on electrical/electronic equipment.
AFF Foam Type Used for class B and A
Extinguishers It has a blanketing effect excluding oxygen
from the surface of the fuel as it spreads on the
fuel.
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 5: 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
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 4: 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
Water extinguisher They are used for Class A fires.
Water removes heat and extinguish the fire.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers Used for class C and B fires
Can be used on electrical/electronic equipment.
AFF Foam Type Used for class B and A
Extinguishers It has a blanketing effect excluding oxygen
from the surface of the fuel as it spreads on the
fuel.
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 5: 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
