Introduction
5
Safety is a state of mind and a series of actions. A person must be con-
cerned about safety. He or she must make safety a high priority. How often
have you seen people driving, playing a sport, moving through a building, or
working with a tool without regard for safety? We often say that these people
“aren’t using common sense.” They are not directing their actions in responsi-
ble ways.
Safety is also a set of actions. There are ways to safely complete tasks. For
example, a football coach teaches players to block safely. There are ways to do
the task that reduce the chance of injuries. Likewise, there is a series of prac-
tices that can make working in manufacturing safer. Often, these safety prac-
tices are communicated through rules. These rules, like driving rules, tell how
to safely complete a task.
The following sections outline safety rules that will help you review and
develop safe work habits. You may want to photocopy them so you will have
a set with you as you work on the manufacturing activities in this course.
These are general rules, and they apply to many manufacturing settings and
many material-processing activities. More specifically, safety precautions will
be presented as your teacher introduces each laboratory activity.
Safety with people—personal safety
1. Concentrate on your work. Watching other
people and daydreaming can cause accidents.
2. Dress properly. Avoid loose clothing and
open shoes. Remove jewelry and watches.
3. Control your hair. Secure any loose hair
that may come into contact with moving
machine parts.
4. Protect your eyes with goggles or safety
glasses.
5. Protect your hearing by using hearing pro-
tectors around loud or high-pitched
machines.
6. Do not use compressed air to blow chips
and dirt from machines or benches.
7. Think before acting. Always think of the
consequences before starting an action.
8. Ask your teacher questions about any oper-
ation of which you are unsure.
9. Seek First Aid for any injuries.
10. Follow specific safety practices demonstrated
by your teacher.
Safety with people—safety around
others
1. Avoid horseplay. What you consider as inno-
cent fun can cause injury to other people.
2. Do not talk to anyone using a machine. You
may distract him or her and cause injury.
3. Do not cause other people harm by carelessly
placing materials and tools on benches or
machines.
Safety with materials
1. Handle materials properly and with care.
a. Watch long, moving material. Do not hit
people and machines with the ends.
b. Use extreme caution when handling
sheet metal. The thin, sharp edges can
easily cut you and others.
c. Grip hot materials with pliers or tongs.
d. Wear gloves when handling hot or
sharp materials.
e. Use extreme caution in handling hot
liquids and molten metals.
2. Check all material for sharp burred edges
and pointed ends. Remove these hazards
whenever possible.
3. Place material that gives off odors or fumes
in a well-ventilated area, fume hood, or
spray booth.
4. Lift material properly. Do not overestimate
your strength.
5. Dispose of scrap material properly to avoid
accidents.