INFORMATION SHEET 1.

1-1
OHS Policies and Guidelines in installing computer systems and networks

Learning Objective:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to identify, explain and
apply OH&S policies and procedures in installing computer system and networks

Guidelines on your Workbench

1. The golden rule in PC repair: "if in doubt don't. Don't take the risk or
do something you are uncertain about. Not only you can damage
yourself but you can also damage the PC. Stop, think, research a bit
more, and then come back later once you are ready.
2. Always disconnect the system before beginning to work, this includes
disconnecting it from the UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or
backup system that you may have installed that takes over in the
event of a power cut or power diff. These systems deliver house current
electricity and can kill.
3. Never work with your hands, body or cloths wet.
4. Do not work if you are tired or drowsy.
5. Do not work on dump areas but on clear areas away from any
obstacles that may hinder our work.
6. Keep liquids (coffee, cola, cleaning liquids and so on) well away from
the workplace. In fact it's always better to keep liquids away from our
PC all the time.
7. Be organized:

How to be organized
 Prepare the appropriate tools needed
 Get the tools you need within reach
 Get little containers for screws ready to prevent loss.
 Get pencil or a pen as well as paper to make notes

8. Always wear shoes, avoid standing on metal or dump concrete when

working
9. Do not wear loss clothing, as it can catch on components and cables
and cause damage.
10. Do not wear woolen or synthetic garments if while working on the PC
11. If you have long hair tie it back and keep it out of the way from your
vision.
12. Remove metal rings, bracelet, necklace and other accessories when
working.
13. Do not presume a circuit is off, even if it the switch is in off position, it
also fail. To make sure unplug the device from the wall outlet.
 14. Do not remove equipments ground.
15. Always wear an ESD protection like wrist strap when working on a
PC.
16. Keep your work area well lighted and well ventilated.
17. DO not use defective cables and plugs. Always check the cables and
connectors before using.
18. Keep small items away from the PC. A small screw or a paper clip left
in the system can cause massive, expensive damage the instant the
system is switch on.
19. Clean the work area after using
20. Check plugs and outlet before leaving. Make sure that all the power
switch is off and all plugs are removed from the wall outlet

Safety Guidelines
- Serve an important purpose an important purpose in handling electrical
equipments.
- Provides technicians with a foundation of principles and practices to ensure
safety both to the technician, the equipment.

1.Static Control
- Modern PCs depend extremely complex integrated circuits, and those chips
are very sensitive to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Unfortunately, static
electricity's commonplace and is generated constantly as simple as passing
a comb through our hair or putting on a sweater.

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)

- is a fast, silent , invisible killer of PC components. It is caused by a
buildup of a static electricity on one object discharging to ground
through another object.
- When ESD is allowed to discharge through a chip, the chip is destroyed.
No outward signs of ESD damage occur: no fire no smoke, and rarely
any shock or other physical sensation. Still the damage is real.
Two Ways that Static Charge can Buildup
1. Anything that moves or rub against anything else has the potential to
generate static electricity
(Example. Household appliances or own feet moving on the floor)
2. A spark resulting from a poor electrical connection or an unshielded or
damaged cable.
Symptoms of ESD Damage
- Because ESD damage occurs silently and without warning, these symptoms
of such a discharge are the only indication that ESD could have occurred.

1. A new component/replacement doesn't work.

2. You've just carried an upgrade/repair and a previously working
component is no longer working.
 3. A new component or components fails within one to two ears of
installation.

Tips to Prevent ESD

1. Buy and always wear an Anti-static wrist strap. Make sure it is
connected to a good grounding points such as the chassis of the PC.
2. Keep components inside an antistatic bag or container until you need
them.
3. Never handle components unnecessarily. Never drag or slide
components over a surface. Use anti static mat to place PC
components.
4. Keep static causing surfaces such as plastics and Styrofoam away from
our work area.
5. If possible, keep air warm and humidity above 50 percent.
6. To avoid risk of ESD, avoid wearing synthetic clothing if possible.
7. Keep dust to a minimum as possible.
8. Make sure that all contacts and connections are done up firmly before
switching the system on.

Advantage of Wearing a Wrist Strap

1. It safely discharges any static charge you have accumulated, while
preventing you from accumulating further buildup.
2. It is the cheapest and most effective solution to ESD.

2. Electricity Control
- PCs and their peripherals use raw alternating current (AC) as power source.
Although the myriad of plugs, outlets, and line cords use today are generally
regarded as quite safe to end-users, technicians must open work in close
proximity to exposed circuitry. In reality, the odds of electrocution are
actually quite slim, but electricity can injure or kill when handled carelessly.

Guidelines to Prevent Electrical Mishaps

1. Keep the PC unplug when working inside it.
2. Use one hand only for "hot" measurements.
3. Use properly rated test probe.
 Self-Check 1.1-1

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Instructions: Read the questions carefully. On your answer sheet, write the letter
of the correct answer.

1. The golden rule in pc repair

A. if in doubt don't take the risk or do something you are uncertain about.
B. if in doubt don't. Just try to do something
C. If in doubt, stop, think, research and never come back
D. All of the above

2. The following are tips to prevent ESD, except?

A. Keep static causing surfaces such as plastics and Styrofoam away from
our work area.
B. To avoid risk of ESD, avoid wearing synthetic clothing if possible.
C. Make sure that all contacts and connections are done up firmly before
switching the system on.
D. Drag or slide components over a surface.

3. Is a fast, silent, invisible killer of PC components____?

A. Wrist Strap
B. Workbench
C. ESD
D. OHS

4. What is an ESD?
A. Electronic Service Discharge
B. Electrostatic Discharge
C. Electric Shock Discharge
D. Electric Surge Discharge

ENUMERATION

1. Enumerate at least six (6) OHS procedures & guidelines on your

workbench.
2. Answer Key to 1.1-1

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A
2. D
3. C
4. B

ENUMERATION

1. a. Clean the work area after using

b. Do not work if you are tired or drowsy.
c. Keep your work area well lighted and well ventilated.
d. Remove metal rings, bracelet, necklace and other accessories when
working.
e. Clean the work area after using
f. Always wear shoes, avoid standing on metal or dump concrete when
working
 INFORMATION SHEET 1.1-2
Use and functions of the basic tools, equipment and testing instruments

Learning Objective:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to define and identify
the functions of the basic tools, equipment and testing instruments.

Tools - is a device or a piece of equipment that typically provides a mechanical

advantage in accomplishing a task or enables the accomplishment of a task not
otherwise possible

Pliers - are hand tools, designed primarily for gripping objects by using leverage.

- are designed for numerous purposes and sometimes require different jaw
configurations to grip, turn, pull, or crimp a variety of things. They are a
tool common to many dexterous trades and occupations. Many types of
pliers also include jaws for cutting.

Common Types of Pliers

1. Gripping Pliers
 Combination Pliers – used in electrical application

 Flat- Nose Pliers - also known as “duckbill”, after their resemblance

to a duck’s bill. They are stronger than long-nose pliers,
but less able to reach into really confided place.

 Round-nose Pliers – sometimes called snub-nosed pliers.

  Long-nose Pliers – sometimes called a needle-nose pliers, good for
gripping in confined spaces. It incorporated with a cutter
for a one tool convenience.

2. Crimping Tool

- use for crimping electrical terminals and connectors (solder less

connections). Crimping tool is a tool designed to crimp or connect a
connector to the end of a cable. For example, network cables and phone
cables are created using a crimping tool to connect the RJ-45 and RJ-11
connectors to the end of the cable.  To the right is an example of what a
crimping tool looks like, this example shows a tool capable of doing both
RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors

6. Screwdriver

- is a device specifically designed to insert and tighten, or to loosen and

remove, screws. The screwdriver comprises a head or tip which engages with
a screw, a mechanism to apply torque by rotating the tip, and some way to
position and support the screwdriver.
7. Multimeter

- also known as a volt/ohm meter or VOM, is an electronic measuring

instrument that combines several functions in one unit. A standard
multimeter may include features such as the ability to measure voltage,
current and resistance.
- There are two categories of multimeters, analog multimeters (or analogue
multimeters in British English) and digital multimeters (often abbreviated
DMM.)

8. Tweezers

- are tools used for picking up small objects that are not easily handled with
the human hands.

9. Wire stripper

- is a small, hand-held device used to strip the insulation from electric wires.

Manual Wire stripper Automatic Wire Stripper

10. Hex key

- also known as an Allen, Alum, hex-head, or zeta key or wrench, is a tool

used to drive screws and bolts that have a hexagonal socket in the head.
11. Soldering iron

- is a device for applying heat to melt solder for attaching two metal parts.

- A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle.

Heating is often achieved electrically, by passing a current, supplied through
an electrical cord or a battery, through a heating element. Another heating
method includes combustion of a suitable gas, which can either be delivered
through a tank mounted on the iron (flameless), or through an external
flame

12. IC Insertion/extraction tool

- A tool for insertion and extraction of a packaged IC to and from a socket

13. LAN Tester - a perfect tool to assist wiring endeavors. It quickly identifies
continuity problems such as shorts, open wires, reversed pairs, crossed pairs
and miswiring for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, EIA/TIA 568A/568B and Token Ring
cables. Tests continuity of UTP/STP cables
15. Goggles or safety glasses - are forms of protective eyewear that usually
enclose or protect the eye area in order to prevent
particulates, water or chemicals from striking the eyes.

16. Gloves - is a type of garment (and more specifically a fashion

accessory) which covers the hand of a human can serve to protect and
comfort the hands of the wearer against cold or heat, physical damage
by friction, abrasion or chemicals.

17. Antistatic wrist strap or ESD wrist strap

- is a device used to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) by safely grounding
a person working on electronic equipment.
 Self –Check 1.1-2

MATCHING TYPE

Instructions: Match the description of the tools and testing instruments in

Column A with its corresponding name on Column B.
On your answer sheet, write the letter of the correct answer.

Column A Column B

1. A hand tools, designed primarily for A. ESD

gripping objects.

2. Also known as “duckbill”. B. LAN Tester

3. A device specially designed to insert, C. Pliers

tighten, or to loosen & remove screws

4. An electronic measuring instruments D. Flat nose pliers

5. A perfect tool to assist wiring endeavors E. Screw driver

F. Tools

G. Multimeter
 Answer Key
Self –Check 1.1-2

1. C
2. D
3. E
4. G
5. B