1. St Oliver’s Community College
Health and Safety
St Oliver’s Community College

2. Safety rules for the technology room
General conduct While in the technology room, observe the following general rules:
Obey the teachers instructions at all times
Do not use tools without asking the teacher first.
Pay attention at the tool and process demonstrations
Do not run around
Do not approach, touch or interfere in any way with someone who is using a tool.
Report any accidents, breakages, spillages or sparks to your teacher immediately.
If you are at all unsure about how to use a tool, do not use it. Ask your teacher to show you.

3. Safety rules for the technology room
Clothing and hair
Do not wear loose clothing.
Remove loose jewellery, e.g. necklaces, and store safely.
Tie up long hair.
Machine guards
Never use a machine without its guard in place.
Storage and handling of materials
Beware of sharp and jagged edges, especially on metal parts that have been cut with a shears. If the materials you are about to work on have any burrs, file them off.
Eye protection
Eyes must be protected from dust, grit, flying objects (such as metal particles), fumes and various liquids. Wear googles where necessary.

4. Safety signs
The primary function of a safety sign is quickly and clearly draw attention to hazardous situations.
Safety signs are designed to a specific international standard.
Safety signboard design
The standard system for signs and signboards is based on the ‘traffic-light’ colours:
- Red = Prohibition (fire safety)
- Yellow = Caution
- Green = Positive action (safe way or safe condition)
A fourth colour is also used:
- Blue = Mandatory (information)
The shapes of safety signboards are also standardised:
- Discs = Prohibition & Instruction
- Triangles = Warnings
- Squares & Rectangles = Emergency/safe action/information)

5. Safety signs

6. Safety symbols
Do you know the meaning of each of the following safety symbols ?

7. Safety symbols Emergency stop Emergency exit Emergency meeting point
Wear safety glasses
Wear ear protection
Wear face mask
Fire hazard/ flammable
Fire extinguisher
Electrical hazard
Toxic substance

8. Exercises
Safety is very important in the Technology room. List four safety precautions that must be observed in your day-to-day work in the Technology room.
List five safety precautions that should be taken when using the drilling machine.
State two precautions that should be taken to prevent an acrylic sheet from shattering when drilling a hole in a sheet.