Electrical Technology | Introduction Safety and first aid are the two most important things that must always be high on the priority list of any person working in any workshop, big or small and on any construction site. Being aware of safety and knowing some basic first aid can be very helpful and can even save a life. We must remember, safety isthe responsibility of every single person, not just of the employer or factory owner. Most accidents are caused by the careless acts of humans. Because electricity is very dangerous, care must be taken to be safety conscious all the time when busy in a workshop. Tn South Africa, we have the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) that regulates workplace safety in general in our country. It is the aim of the Act to eliminate or reduce work-related accidents. It also tries to ensure that workers have a safe environment in which to work. According to the Act, an accident is an unplanned, uncontrolled event caused by unsafe acts and conditions. ‘The Act compels the employer to ensure the workplace meets safety standards by appointing people and committees whose task itis to monitor their safety in the ‘workplace. The employers can be punished and fined if machinery or working conditions are found to be unsafe. Hundreds of accidents occur annually on our roads, in mines, in the workplace and on construction sites, not only because of unsafe working conditions but also because people become complacent, act negligently, lose concentration or are {00 tired or too hasty. To ensure safety in the workplace means that every single person has to be aware of potential dangers at all times. Learners have to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to prevent accidents from happening, In general, safety is understood to be the absence of danger or risk. However, accidents occur when workers are too complacent and then take risks because they think nothing will happen to them. Unsafe actions As mentioned earlier, most accidents are caused by human carelessness. However, accidents also occur when workers are too. complacent and then take risks because they think nothing will happen to them. Below are some unsafe actions responsible for most accidents in workshops. + Failure to wear protective clothing and eye wear ~ when grinding, drilling or working with acid and chemicals. + The unsafe placement of tools. + Horseplay in workshop ~ running around and playing the fool, + The unsafe use of equipment or incorrect use of equipment. + Trying to make adjustments or working on moving equipment, + Taking up unsafe positions. + Working too quickly. Dangerous practices a Dangerous practices most commonly refer to processes or activities that have some form of risk or hazard when performed. In an electrical workshop, many activities or tasks done can be referred to as dangerous practices. Ifthe user of the workshop 4s not cautious of such situations or practices, they could lead to serious injury or even death. On the next page are a few such dangerous practices,Occupational health and safety ‘The etching of printed circuit boards (PCBs) by making use of chemicals and acids. ‘fhe chemicals can be harmful as they could damage your clothes or even be dangerous to your skin, It is therefore important for anybody involved in the etching of PCBs to observe the safety rules, ie. wear protective clothing, for example, rubber aprons, rubber gloves, respiratory masks and eye protection. Another dangerous practice is the use of power tools (electric hand drill, bench and hand-held grinding machines). Learners are sometime very reluctant to observe all the’safety rules regarding the use of power tools, which can lead to serious injury. Drill bts that are not securely tightened, using your hand to hold the piece of material to be drilled, not wearing protective eye wear and protective clothing, not ‘tucking away all loose-hanging clothes and long hair, not inspecting the electrical cords of the tools, can all lead to unnecessary accidents. Incorrect use of hand tools is also a very dangerous practice in a workshop. Tools, must be fully functional and must be used for the purpose for which they were ‘made. Under no circumstances should anyone use a file without a handle or with a broken handle. Never use a screwdriver as a lever or a chisel, Itis important that you select the correct size screwdriver for a job, failing to use the correct size will result in the tip being damaged, making it less effective. When you use any pliers or cutters, please ensure the handle is insulated to prevent electrical shocks. Always ensure the blade of a blade knife is retracted when not in use to prevent anyone from being cut. Unsafe conditions Unsafe conditions are also a big contributor to many accidental mishaps in the work-place. Unsafe conditions refer to a hazardous, risky or dangerous environment ‘or surroundings that can lead to accidents. Let us look at a few unsafe conditions. + Inadequate guarding of machines. + Bad ventilation. + Rough, wet or slippery floors. + No personal protective equipment. + A disorganised workshop. + Overcrowding in a workshop. + Badly planned workshop. + Loose-hanging clothing and long hair. ‘+ Insufficient light in workplace. Risk analysis Risk analysis is the process of defining and analysing the dangers to individuals and businesses posed by potential natural and human-caused adverse events. A risk analysis report can be either quantitative or qualitative. ‘With a quantitative risk analysis, an attempt is made to determine numerically the probabilities of various adverse events and the likely extent of the losses if particular event were to take place. On the other hand, a qualitative risk analysis does not involve numerical probabilities or predictions of loss. Instead, the qualitative method involves defining the various threats, determining the extent of vulnerabilities and generating countermeasures should something unforeseen occur.2 Electrical Technology = rrr Itis therefore important for any employer to do a risk assessment in the workplace to make sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill - that a person returns home safely after work. Risk management is nothing more than a careful examination of what could cause harm to people in your workplace (a qualitative risk analysis). In ‘many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks, for example, ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip, or cupboard drawers kept closed to ensure people do not trip. For most, that means simple, cheap and effective measures to ensure that your most valuable asset ~ your workforce - is protected. ‘The following things must be kept in mind when doing risk management: + involve workers in the process + dont use it to justify a decision that has already been made + consider good practice in your industry «keep records of any risk management activities undertaken. Risk management is a five step process for controlling exposure to health and safety risks associated with hazards in the workplace. Identify the hazard. Decide who might be harmed and how. Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions Record your findings and implement them. Review your assessment and update if necessary. When thinking about your risk assessment, remember: + ahazard is anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer, etc; and + the risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and ‘other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be. Human rights in the workplace Chapter 2 of the South African Constitution contains the Bill of Rights, which contains the human rights which protect all South Africans. Human rights are also called natural rights. Itis argued that they belong to people just because they are human beings. People are entitled to them regardless of where they live in the world or of their position in society. It doesn't matter what a person's race, sex, age, class, language, beliefs, culture or religion are, or how much money or education a person has, we all have the same human rights. Most people would support human rights that are based on basic values, such as respect for human life and human dignity. ‘Many of the principles of the Human Rights Act are designed to protect you as a worker within the workplace. Itis about protecting the human dignity of the . ‘workers, Human rights are about ensuring that your human dignity is not infringed | ‘and that you, as the worker, are treated with dignity, respect and are not exploited.” For example, you have the right to a private and family life. So an employer who discriminates against a gay worker, for example, may be violating that worker's right toa private life. “Occupational health and safety ‘Your employer has the right to monitor communications within the workplace as Tong as you are aware of the monitoring before it takes place. Monitoring can cover: + emails + Internet access + telephone calls + data + images. ‘You have the'right to see any information held about you (for example, e-mails ‘or CCTV footage). Your right to a private life means you have the right to some privacy in the workplace. You can't be monitored everywhere. If your employer doesn't respect this, he/she will be breaching human rights law. ‘Human dignity at work is also about making sure that working conditions for workers are good, ie. good ventilation, enough light, enough space to work, an. environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. Other issues that are also covered by human rights are: + Your right to not to be discriminated against because of your race, sex, religion, language, disability, etc. + Your right to earn a living wage. + Your right to work reasonable hours. + Your right to belong to a trade union. + Noone may be subjected to slavery or forced labour, + Everyone has the right to fair labour practices. Work ethics Work ethics include not only how one feels about your job, career or occupation, but also how one performs yout job or responsibilities. This involves attitude, behaviour, respect, communication, and interaction; how one gets along with others. Work ethics demonstrate many things about the person and who he/she is and how he/she behaves. Work ethics involve such characteristics as honesty and accountability. Essentially, ‘work ethics break down to what one does or would do in a particular situation. Work ethics are intrinsic; they come from withi Steps towards better work ethics 1, Attendance ‘Attendance and punctuality often have a large impact on individual and team success. Lateness or absenteeism can also greatly impact job performance and retention, How you can maintain good attendance: + Make work a high priority + Know your schedule. + Make use of an alarm clock. + Get enough sleep. + Arrange your transportation. + Inform your supervisor of an absence. 2. Character An employer expects employees to work together toward achieving the objectives of the company. The wise employee who is interested in having a good. relationship with an employer will try to help the employer achieve success. ‘The=e Electiféal Technology = employer expects employees to develop certain desirable traits that will help them to perform their jobs well so that the company can succeed. Some of these traits include: + loyalty . + honesty + trustworthiness + dependability «+ reliability + initiative + self-discipline + self-responsibility ‘Teamwork Itis vital that employees work as a team. It is important not only to their personal success and advancement, but also to that of their co-workers and to the company. Teamwork involves the following aspects: + Respecting the rights of others. + Being a team worker. + Being co-operative. + Being assertive. + Displaying a positive customer service attitude + Seeking opportunities for continuous learning. + Demonstrating polite behaviour. + Respecting confidentiality. 4, Appearance ‘The first impression of a person is generally created within three seconds. If you appear untidy and your clothes are creased, you may give the impression that your work is sloppy. If you dress as a professional, the first impression you give will be excellent, 5. Attitude It is very important to demonstrate a positive attitude, appear self-confident, and have realistic expectations for yourself. Developing and maintaining a positive attitude involves setting realistic expectations for ourselves at work. These goals should be challenging, but obtainable. 6. Productivity In order to be a productive employee, a person must follow safety procedures, conserve materials, keep the work area neat and clean and follow directions properly. 7. Organisational skills : Employers consider effective time management and organisational skills as good work habits. oe Medical emergencies ‘Medical emergencies are injuries, or an illness that is severe and poses a serious risk to a personts life or long-term health. The treatment of medical emergencies ‘would require the services of a doctor, nurse or any other person with the necessary ‘medical/first aid qualifications. We must also note that not all medical emergencies are life-threatening but only require medical attention to prevent any future medical problems.Occupational health and safety - Medical emergencies in the workplace are seldom expected and very rarely properly planned for. Should there be a medical emergency where you work, your level of preparedness could mean the difference between life and death. It is therefore very important that any workshop has a well-trained first aider with a well-stocked first aid box. It is also essential for each workshop’to have the telephone numbers of all emergency services close athand. ‘A number of medical emergencies which could happen in an electrical workshop are listed below. Burns Byrns in a workshop can be caused by steam from hot liquids, contact with flames, contact with hot surfaces (tips of soldering irons), electrical burns caused by someone touching a bare electrical conductor, or chemical burns (caused by chemical spillage on the skin). Managing burn injuries properly is important because they are common, painful and can result in disfiguring and disabling scarring of affected parts or even death in severe cases. For minor burns + Remove the person from the heat source and remove any burned clothing, except clothing imbedded in the skin. + Run cool - not cold ~ water over the burn or hold a clean, cold compress cloth on it until the pain subsides. Do not use ice. Do not use butter or other types of grease. + Remove jewellery or tight clothing from around burned areas and apply a clean bandage. You can also apply antibiotic cream, + Never break blisters resulting from a burn. + Remember not to remove clothing stuck to burned skin. + Ifyou are helping someone with a serious burn, keep the burned areas elevated to reduce swelling. First aid for electrical burn victims Electrical burns vary in severity, depending on the strength of the current, the duration of the electrical shock as well as the direction of the current through the body. Often these burns are deep. Electrical burn wounds may look small from the outside but could be severe on the inside. ‘The following must be done in case of an electrical burn. + Check that the victim is not in a state of shock (cold, clammy, pale and having a rapid pulse). Ifthe victim is in shock, lay the victim down with feet slightly higher than the head. Do not apply grease or oil to the burn. Cover the burn with a dry, sterile dressing. Do not try and remove clothing stuck to the burn. Cover the victim with a blanket to maintain body heat. Call for medical attention. What todo for chemical burns + Dry chemicals should be brushed off the skin by a person wearing rubber gloves. + Remove the person's clothing and jewellery and rinse chemicals off the skin by placing the person in a shower for 15 to 20 minutes. (Be careful to protect your eyes and the eyes of the injured person.) + Wet chemicals should be flushed off affected areas with cool running water for 20 minutes or longer or until emergency help arrives.i Electrical Technology + Ifyou or someone else has swallowed a chemical substance or an object that could be harmful (e.g. watch battery), call poison control first and then the ‘medical emergency numbers. Itis helpful to know what chemical product has been swallowed, Take it with you to the hospital. Bleeding Bleeding is mainly caused by accidents where blood escapes the body when a vein is cut. Excessive bleeding can lead to shock or even death. Any bleeding wound should be treated using medical gloves. Try to use latex gloves when treating someone who is bleeding. Latex gloves should be in every first aid kit. People allergic to latex can use a non-latex, synthetic glove. You can be infected by HIV/ AIDS if infected blood gets into an open wound - even a small one. ‘The following should be done to control bleeding. + Apply direct pressure or use a pressure bandage. + Keep the victim calm. + Keep the bleeding point above the heart level if possible. + When there is severe bleeding, where a major artery has been severed, pressure may be insufficient and a tourniquet may be used. Pressure from tourniquets must be relieved periodically to prevent damage to the tissue from lack of oxygen. Figure 1.1: Apply direct pressure ‘on external wounds with a sterile cloth or your hand, maintaining pressure until bleeding stops “The following should not be done when treating bleeding + DONOT apply a tourniquet to control bleeding except as a last resort. + DONOT peek at a wound to see ifthe bleeding has stopped. The less a wound is disturbed, the better the control of bleeding — + DONOT probe a wound or pall out any object that might still be inside a wound. ‘This will usually cause more bleeding and harm. + DONOT remove a dressing if it becomes soaked with blood; just add a new one on top. Figure 1.2: Use a tourniquet only asa last resort, if bleeding cannot be stopped and the situation i ife- threatening + DO NOT try to clean a large wound. This may cause heavier bleeding. + DONOT try to clean a wound after you get the bleeding under control. Get medical help. ‘There are four types of bleeding that can result from wounds: + Arterial bleeding Full of oxygen and bright red in colour, the blood has just come from the heart # soit This type of bleedin; blood in a short time. + Venous bleeding under pressure and often spurts from a wound in time with the heartbeat. is the most dangerous because the patient can lose a lot of Containing less oxygen and a darker red, venous blood flows at a lower pressure than arterial blood and will not spurt, It may gush freely if a major vein is torn. + Capillary bleeding ‘Usually minor wounds where blood oozes from the wound. Blood loss is limited but the risk of infection is very high.Occupational health and safety + Internal bleeding: Bleeding may not be visible due to internal injuries. This can be very dangerous and may develop following an injury to the abdomen or the chest. Wounds at the workplace a ‘Aworker on a construction site may suffer any of the wounds listed below. The {reatment for all wounds is more or less the same, except that bleeding from deep cuts and puncture wounds may be more difficult to stop. Cut Caused by a knife, razor or even the sharp edge of paper. The wound may bleed profusely because cleanly cut blood vessels do not contract easily. ‘Tear wound (laceration) Barbed wire, machinery or the claws of an animal may tear the skin in a ragged way. ‘These wounds tend to bleed less severely because torn blood vessels contract more quickly than those that have been cut cleanly. Puncture wound Nails, needles, garden forks and even teeth may result in serious internal injury. If the wound is deep, the risk of infection is high because dirt and germs may have been carried into it. Graze ‘A graze normally results from a sliding fall. Superficial layers of skin are scraped off, leaving a tender, raw area. ‘These wounds often contain dirt or grit and may easily become infected. Gunshot wound ‘These wounds can result in serious internal injuries. The exit wound is often much larger than the entry wound. Internal organs, tissues and blood vessels may be damaged by the passage of the bullet through the body. In addition to external bleeding, there may also be internal bleeding. Bruise AA fall or a blow to the body by a blunt object. The skin is split and the surrounding tissues are bruised. With a bruise, damaged blood vessels leak blood into the tissues i although the skin remains unbroken. Listed below are a few simple steps that can be taken in the event of any medical emergency. + Stay calm: The worst thing you can do in any emergency medical situation is to panic. For the sake of the victim and your colleagues, try to remain calm, cool and collected. You will be more effective and elfficient this way. ‘Assess the situation: Quickly assess the scope of the injuries and collect information, Ifthe injured person is conscious, ask him/her to tell you if anything hurts and observe where on the body he/she may be physically injured. Do not move an injured person, especially if he/she is reporting pain, unless there is imminent danger. Call the emergency services: Ifa person is badly injured, call the emergency services immediately. If there is any doubt as to whether emergency services are needed, it is better to be safe than sorry. Stay calm and provide your address, location in the building, phone number, name and any information you have gathered about the injuries. ~———Electrical Technology Report the injury to the appropriate authority: Depending on the size of your workplace, you may need to notify management about the situation, Administer first aid and CPR: If required, CPR or first aid should be performed bya person who is trained. If there is no skilled person, wait for emergency personnel to arrive, Do not administer medical treatment or medications. Be careful n in contact with blood, vomit or other bodily fluids.