Safety in the Drafting Lab

Protecting Yourself Coats, bags and other items should be placed under your desks or on the coat rack. It’s easy to trip! Periodically glance away from the screen. Staring into a computer monitor too long will strain your eyes. Let me know if the color scheme, font size, or other settings of your computer are causing strain on your eyes.

Avoid long sessions of typing as they may cause repetitive stress injuries to your hands. Maintain good posture to ease your back. Keep the noise level to a minimum. Be aware of the fire exits and the location of this room’s fire extinguishers

Sharp and Painful! Never use electric tools that have frayed cords! Drafting tools can be painful if not handled properly. Manual drafting tools such as the compass have sharp points and should be handled with care. Never tip a drafting stool backwards, they will roll out from under you. Never use electric tools that have frayed cords!

Safety for the Equipment Computer equipment is expensive. Please, no food or drink near the computers! Always shut down the computer via Windows’ Start button Use a surge protector to keep excess electric power from damaging your computer Excessive heat can damage the computers. Please ensure that the room temperature stays cool and papers are kept off the top of the computer and monitor. Motion can damage some computer components. Try to move laptop computers as little as possible, especially when the hard drive or the floppy drive is whirring.

The Equipment Always have at least two copies of all your important files, in case the worse happens! Especially in busy offices, the data on your computer is soon more valuable than the hardware itself. Turn off the computer when not in use. Like a car engine, parts wear out after a certain ‘mileage’!

Proper Lifting #1 Squat Load between legs Back straight and vertical #2 Push up with legs Keep load close #3 Lift load with arms Change direction with feet Don't twist body

Proper Sitting

Correct Sitting Position (Cont’d) Sit up straight Lower back should fit snuggly against the backrest of your chair. If it doesn’t, use a small pillow or rolled-up towel for support. Lower back fits snug against backrest of chair

Correct Sitting Position (Cont’d) Chair should be at the correct height so your feet are flat on the floor and legs are bent at a 90-110° angle. If this is not possible, use a footrest such as a three-ring binder.

Correct Sitting Position (Cont’d) Monitor should be directly in front of your body and the keyboard. It should not be off to the side. When you look straight ahead, you should be looking at the top of the monitor.

Correct Sitting Position (Cont’d) Keyboard should be as low as possible, yet allowing your wrists to be straight. Sit about a hand-width away from the keyboard. Mouse should be directly to the side of the keyboard. Mouse goes here Not here

Avoid Eye Strain Avoid glare on your screen from windows and bright lights. Adjust screen’s contrast and brightness to reduce eye strain.

First Aid Priority of action for all emergencies: 1. KEEP CALM 2. Call or send for help ** State injury and condition 3. Keep student calm 4. Remain with student 5. Do not carry student

First Aid Continued--- Call Operator and state injury If injury is severe call 911 and notify operator that 911 has been called. Minor injuries First Aid Kit Contents and Location Use gloves! Fire Extinguishers – use and locations