SCI 1011- Computer Laboratory Safety

Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake

Department of Physics

The Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya has several computer labs in

many departments. There are certain rules that need to be followed when this
lab is being used. There are a lot of expensive computers, printers, scanners and
other equipment items kept in these labs and it is very important to make sure
that no one does any action that could damage the equipment inside.

In Sri Lanka is a hot and humid country and therefore, all computer labs are air
conditioned to protect sophisticated equipment. Most labs have their safety signs
on the wall, so that everyone must follow all the rules.

Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake, Dept. of Physics 1

Rules for Protecting Yourself
1. Keep bags and other belongings in the designated area.
2. Since the labs are air-conditioned remove shoes before entering the lab or
follow the instruction displayed on the entrance door.
3. Take a note of all the exits in the room, and also take note of the location of fire
extinguishers in the room for the sake of fire safety.
4. Keep your hands clean and dry before using key boards or touch screens.
5. Do not use other electronic equipment that may interfere with computer lab
work.
6. Do not eat or drink in computer labs.
7. Do not run inside the computer lab.
……..contd.
Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake, Dept. of Physics 2
…….. contd.
8. Try not to type continuously for extremely long periods.
9. Look away from the screen once in a while to give your eyes a rest.
10. Do not touch any exposed wires or sockets.
11. Avoid making loud noises and speaking loudly.
12. Do not attempt to open any machines, and do not touch the backs of machines
when they are switched on.
13. Do not spill water or any other liquid on the machine, in order to maintain
electrical safety.
14. There is a lot of equipment in computer labs that could short circuit itself or
cause electric shocks, so one needs to be very careful.

Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake, Dept. of Physics 3

There is a lot of equipment in computer labs that could short circuit
itself or cause electric shocks, so one needs to be very careful.

Rules for Protecting Equipment

1. Do not bring any food or drinks near the machine.
2. Turn off the machine you were using, when you are done using it.
3. Do not access external devices without scanning them for computer viruses.
4. If you encounter a malfunction of a machine, do not try to correct it and
immediately inform to the laboratory-in-charge.
5. Ensure that the temperature in the room stays cool and dry, since there are a lot of
machines inside a lab, and these can overheat easily. Never try to increase the
computer lab temperature, even if you feel too cold.
Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake, Dept. of Physics 4
6. Try not to touch any of the circuit boards and power sockets when something is
connected to them and switched on.
7. Always maintain an extra copy of all your important data.
8. Dust can affect computers adversely. Ensure that the machines are cleaned on a
regular basis.

The laboratory equipment inside a computer lab is very expensive, and it is your
responsibility to ensure that this equipment is kept safe and protected. If some
damage is caused to any equipment, the cost of repairing or replacing it will be very
high. If the damage is due to a deliberate or unacceptable behavior you will have to
pay the replacement cost before graduation.
With the right precautions and safety measures, everyone can have a good
experience inside the lab, and the equipment can also be protected without
damage for many batches of future students.
Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake, Dept. of Physics 5