Summary

Chapter 2: Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use 3This chapter covers basic safety practices for the workplace, hardware and software tools,and the disposal of hazardous materials. Safety guidelines help protect individuals fromaccidents and injury, equipment from damage, and the environment from contamination bydiscarded materials. Always stay alert to situations that could result in injury or damage toequipment. Always watch for these signs and take the appropriate action according to thewarning given.Identify Safe Working Conditions andProceduresIt is essential to maintain safe working conditions to prevent accidents and injury to anyperson or damage to any object in a work area. New staff and visitors must be informed ofthe appropriate safety procedures. Any transgression of the procedures must be reported.As a computer user or a technician, you should be aware of all possible dangers. A safeworkspace is clean, organized, and well lit.Follow proper procedures for handling computer equipment. Failure to follow the prescribedsafety procedures could result in fines, criminal convictions, damage to equipment,claims for damage from the owner of the property and data, injury, or death.The proper disposal or recycling of hazardous computer components is a global issue. Makesure to follow regulations that govern how to dispose of specific items. When an organizationviolates these regulations, there can be legal consequences.After completing the following sections, you will meet these objectives:■■■Identify safety procedures and potential hazards for users and techniciansIdentify safety procedures to protect equipment from damage and data lossIdentify correct disposal procedures to protect the environment from contaminationIdentify Safety Procedures and Potential Hazards forUsers and TechniciansSafety in the lab and in the workplace is an important issue when working on computersand other electrical devices. General safety guidelines and fire safety guidelines protect thetechnician and the equipment.