Safety

Brian Russell

Exam expectations

This topic is regularly tested in the written paper. You are expected to be able to anticipate potential safety hazards in the final product you are designing and making as well as being able to assess the risks to yourself and others during the manufacturing stages.

Safe products

Ensuring that products are safe is a number one priority for designers and manufacturers. Lots of things such as making sure products do not have sharp edges or are made from non-toxic materials are simply commonsense. However, manufacturers are guided by numerous laws and regulations.

Legislation – the Law

• The Trade Descriptions Act. (false claims)• The Weights and Measures Act. (accurate

size, weight, quantity)• The Consumer Safety Act.• The Consumer Protection Act. (harmful

products)• The Sale of Goods Act. (Fit for purpose)

Regulations - guidance

• Trade associations – their guidelines are join us follow our rules

• They provide clear guidance for manufacturers and designers and undertake their own testing.

BEABApproved

British Toy & Hobbies Association

Represent the interests of British toy manufacturers. The 138 members are responsible for over 90% of the British market for toys and games. A condition of BTHA trade association membership is that members' toys will meet the statutory safety requirements

     

Toy safety

Make sure toys are suitable for the age of the child. Some children, particularly those under three, are more vulnerable, particularly to choking, and less able to cope with particular toys than older children. It should also be remembered that there will be significant differences in the abilities of those in the same age group and those children with special needs.

Independent testers

• Independent bodies test many products before they are put on sale

• Work closely with BSI to develop new tests and highlight potential problems

British Standards Institute

• BSI devises tests that products or components have to meet.

• It awards the Kitemark to those products that meet the standards.

Conformité Europeenne

• Simply means that the product has been approved for sale in the European Union.

• Meets basic requirements but may not have been tested against specific criteria

• The letters 'CE' on a product are the manufacturer's claim that the product meets the requirements of all relevant European Directives.

IEC markings

• The International Electrotechnical Commission is the international standards and conformity assessment body for all fields of electrotechnology.

• Some symbols found on electrical products include:

Suitability for use in bathrooms

Suitability for cleaning under running water

Double insulated• An electrical appliance which is double insulated does

not have an earth wire fitted. The appliance is designed in such a way that the electrical parts can never come into contact with the outer casing of the device. Common double insulated appliances are hair dryers, power tools, radios and cassette players.

• A wet double insulated appliance is exceptionally dangerous - for this reason, do not operate a mains radio, hairdryer or double insulated appliance in any wet area - especially a bathroom

Workshop safety

As a minimum you should:• Wear eye protection when using tools and

machinery which create dust or sparks• Ensure loose hair is tied back and there is no

loose clothing when using power tools and machinery.

Behaviour

• This is the number one safety priority. Mess around in a D&T room and someone could get seriously injured

• Many tools are dangerous if not used properly. • The golden rule is do not touch until you have

been taught to use it

Never run in D&T areas

Clean and tidy

• Making sure the workspace is clean and tidy is important for your own safety and that of other students

• Ensure tools and equipment is always put away properly

Spills

• Liquid spills are often found in D&T areas, especially in food rooms and around sink areas

• Always mop them up and try to make the floor as dry as possible

• Place a warning sign for others if you leave the floor wet• Keep an eye open for these signs when cleaners are

working in the area

Water

• Do not assume that the taps in D&T areas, especially workshops, contain drinking water

• Water in sinks which are used for cleaning often comes from a tank high up in the school and may not be fit for drinking

Fire safety

• Your main priority is to evacuate the building• Ensure that everyone is out and doors are closed • Turn power off if you have time

FIREEXIT

Make sure that you know the escape routes from every room you work in

Fire safety

• Make sure you sound the alarm if you discover a fire

• Make sure you know where the alarm buttons are situated

FIREBREAK GLASS

PRESS HERE

Fire extinguishers

• It is not advisable to try to put out the fire yourself• Fire extinguishers can save lives so do not mess

about with them and report anyone you see doing so

Carbon dioxide – can be used on electrical fires

Foam – cannot be used on electrical fires

Lifting and carrying

• Don’t try to lift heavy objects• Always check with a teacher first

Excessive noise

• Loud noise is not just a nuisance it can cause serious and permanent harm

• Check whether you need to wear ear defenders

Clean air

• Both dust and solvents can cause serious health problems• Always ensure that dust is extracted from the source• Ventilation is essential when using paints and solvents

Ask your teacher if masks are available. Usually these are not shared between students!

Solvents

• Many of the chemicals we use in D&T are both highly flammable as well as being dangerous to breath in

• If in doubt, check with your teacher

Corrosive chemicals

• The most common corrosive chemicals in D&T are usually those found in electronics rooms.

• The acids used for etching PCBs can burn the skin• Wear rubber gloves when handling these chemicals and always

wash and splashes off the skin immediately with lots of water• Of course, eye protection is essential

Adult only areas

• There is usually machinery in D&T which cannot be used by students

• Circular saws are found in most schools and it is essential that you do not enter a room when these are in use

• Never distract a teacher or technician who is using this type of machinery

Welding

• Sparks could easily cause permanent eye damage• The flash from the welding can cause “flash-eye” and

result in blinding headaches

MIG welding is fairly common in schools and masks are essential for two reasons:

Leather aprons are also essential

Hand washing

• Washing your hands thoroughly before handling food is essential

• Many of the chemicals we use in D&T, such as glues and paints, are toxic and you should always wash your hands thoroughly once you have finished

Manufacturing in school

• It is a common to build safety into the “manufacturing in school” question of the exam paper. The following slides show some of the ways students often loose marks by not addressing the real dangers.

Hot metalworking

• Leather aprons and gloves are essential when handling hot metals

• Face masks are also needed

WEARGLOVES

Laser cutting

• Not goggles and aprons!• Fully enclosed – lift the lid and laser switches off• Check fume extraction• Supervise – there is a real fire risk!

CNC routing/milling

• Not goggles and aprons!• Fully enclosed, guard locks whilst in use.• Sharp tools – care when changing cutters• Never blow dust/shaving out of the machine, remove

with a vacuum cleaner

Pewter casting

• Molten metal really hurts!• Leather apron• Leather gloves• Face mask• Normal safety precautions when machining and polishing – goggles, no loose

clothing/hair

Chocolate moulding

• Wash hands• Sterilise moulds and work surfaces• Care when heating & pouring chocolate• Tie back/cover hair

Die-cutting

• Sharp blades - handle with care. • Keep hands free when using press.

Dye sublimation/transfer printing

• Keep hands away from heated surfaces.• Watch fabric closely to avoid fire risk

Pastry/biscuits

• Handle with care. Oven gloves needed. • Ensure all surfaces which come in contact

with food are clean and sterilised

Ceramics

• Severe burn risk when emptying kiln, adult supervision needed.

• Toxic dusts/glazes, keep surfaces clean, was hands after use

Injection moulding

• Handle with care/wear gloves when using hot glue-gun system.

• Keep knife blade cutting away from you when trimming excess plastic

CNC turning

• Not goggles and aprons!• Fully enclosed, guard locks whilst in use • Sharp tools so care needed when placing/removing

materials in machine chuck. • Swarf risk, care needed when removing to avoid eye

contact, metal swarf can be very sharp.

Printing

• Use solvent based inks in well ventilated area free from naked flame as there is both a fume and a fire risk

• Wash hands after use – toxic materials

Machine embroidery

• This is an unguarded system. Danger from moving parts, especially needle

• Keep hands clear when machine is in use• Fasten all loose clothing /hair

Craft knives

• Always use a safety rule and cutting mat• Cut towards you• Try not to press too hard – two light cuts are

often better than one heavy cut

Conclusions

• Whilst there is no end to the safety rules you might need to learn accidents in D&T lessons are rare

• Anticipating what might go wrong is called Risk Assessment