Introduction to Workshop Safety

Safety deals with acute hazards, whereas health deals with chronic hazards. An acute effect is
a sudden reaction to a severe condition; a chronic effect is a long-term deterioration due to a
prolonged exposure to a milder adverse condition.

Typical Workshop Hazards

Physical injuries
There are many metal cutting machines in the workshop which can cause even fatal injuries if
not used carefully. Especially power tools must be
operated with more care. In some of the machines, there
are rotating parts which rotating at high speed with high
torque. Care must be taken with these as arms, hair, or
clothing can be tangle with rotating shafts, tools, etc..
Machined work-pieces are most likely to have burrs at
the cut edges, and hence handling should be done with
care. These burred edges are very sharp and must de-burr
as soon as machining is over. Moreover use of hand tools
also needs special care when using as they have sharp
cutting edges. Typical physical injuries can be
summarized as follows.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Cuts and bruises by cutting tools and sharpened edges

Eye injuries with propelled debris, such as in turning, grinding, etc.
Eye injuries by looking at welding arc
Injuries by dropping tools and work-pieces
Tangling with rotating machine parts

Electric shocks
Most of the machines used in workshop uses electricity as the source of power. There is a
higher possibility of electrical leakages and user must anticipate and be prepared for such
situations. Handheld power tools might have long power cord, which can be cut by the
cutting tool during operations.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Other Possible Hazards

Fire
Explosions
Asphyxiation
Chemical burns

Dos and Donts in the Workshop

Donts

Lack of vigilance or negligence of

safety
Playing, running, joking, or eating
inside the workshop
Use of wrong tools and equipment
Working alone in machines without
any attention of others
Removal of machine guards and
operate machines without them
Distracting people when operating
machines

Dos

Proper attire for the workshop and

always use suitable protective gear
Always be vigilant of the surrounding
Identify the emergency stop and
brake of each machine
Understand
the
operation
of
machines before starting them
Learn safety procedures practiced in
the workshop
Clean working area / machines
Place tools at proper places
Check machine before working
De-burr parts

Personal Protective Equipment

Safety clothing
The best attire for the workshop is a short sleeved overall kit for both males and females.
Incase such could not be found, a tight fit T-shirt and a trouser is advised. However never
wear any garment with overhanging part in it. No overhanging or loose belts, cords etc..
Ladies who have long hair, must tie them up and wear a net or a tight cap.

Footwear
Wearing of safety shoes is mandatory for entering in to any type of
workshop. However if such could not be found, a strong leather
shoes could be used. However the safety shoes are having a metal
cap to safe guard toes in case of any impact, which is not available
with normal leather shoes. Never enter the workshop wearing any
type of open-toe or open-heel, footwear.
Gloves
Wearing of gloves is advised to safe guard hands against many different hazards. Some of
examples are,
1. When handling cutting tools and machined work-pieces,
2. During welding to protect from burnt metal specks
3. When turning, milling, grinding parts to protect from propelled debris

Eye protection
Eye protection is a paramount concern in workshops as there many hazards that can cause
eye injuries. Eye protection is advised to be worn in following conditions,
1. When operating any material removing machines, such as turning, drilling, grinding
etc.
2. When welding, it requires a protective gear against flying debris. However when any
of arc welding is used, then special protection is needed to safe guard eyes from
harmful light rays.
3. When spray painting, sand blasting, powder coating, etc
4. When handling or spraying of chemicals

Safety Glass, Safety Goggles, Welding Mask, and Face Mask

Ear protection
When in operation most of machines make noises. However if the sound level is high or
exposed time is prolong, noises can produce adverse effects. Therefore depending on the
noise level and time exposed proper muffling method should be used. The table below shows
the maximum exposure time for different sound levels.

Ear Plug and Muffler

Respotory pretection
There are hazards of floating partcle matter such as saw dust, small powder like metal debris
and their oxides, etc and also fumes and gasses emitted in the work-place. Appropriate
masking should be used.

Gas Mask and Dust Mask

Fire Protection
Fire hazards are possible during machine operation, electrical leakages, material stroages, etc.
prevention of fire is a paramount measure in a workshop. In case of a fire, there must a pre
planned evacution of people inside the building or area. This must be well planned to
evacuate with minimum time, and must be reharsed time to time. In case of a fire, extiguisher
must be used depending on the fire type.

Red

Yellow

Blue

Black

Lifting of heavy objects

Lifting and carrying heavy loads should be done with care as inappropriate body posture can
cause back injuries. Proper method lift a load is shown in picture below. First, the person
should plan the lifting and holding with proper grip. Then lifting must done with force
provided by the thigh muscles and should avoid load acting on the back.