Workshop Safety Induction (78-209)
This safety induction is in addition to the Occupational Health & Safety in the Laboratory policy and
guidelines found at studenthelp.itee.uq.edu.au/ohs/index.html. Read through the Occupational Health &
Safety in the Laboratory guidelines & complete the online registration.
Login to the UQ Risk Assessment Database at www.risk.admin.uq.edu.au. Search for Task ID 31845, this
should bring up “Use of the Multimedia Workshop” in the Task/Process list. Select the task from the list,
and click on View. Read through each of the standard risks, ensuring that you understand the safety
requirements for each. Read through the Chemical Risks. Once you have read, and understand the Risk
Assessment, click on Back, then click on Read to indicate that you have read & understand the risks
involved in using the workshop.
Once this induction, the RA has been read and the ITEE OHS online induction is completed, students will be
granted swipe card access to the workshop.
The workshop is a space where Multimedia & Interaction Design students can work on physical aspects of
their projects. Students are able to leave work in progress with the implicit understanding that it will be
respected & left alone.
Rules of Access
Enclosed shoes must be worn at all times in the workshop as per OHS policy guidelines
Safety glasses are to be worn when soldering or working with tools.
Students must clean up the workshop after themselves – there will be penalties for not doing this.
Equipment must be put away in the equipment cupboards.
Broken/faulty equipment needs to be reported to teaching staff (tutor &/or lecturer) for repair.
No food or drink is allowed in the workshop.
Respect the work of other students.
If you choose to leave work-in-progress in the workshop, it should be labelled with your name & a way of
contacting you. Work-in-progress should be stored in a way that limits interference with other student’s
use of the space – eg. in a box placed under one of the benches.
Failure to comply with these rules will result in swipe card access being revoked.
Safety in the Workshop
Safe tool use is important for a safe, efficient work environment. Misusing tools is dangerous, and shows a
lack of understanding and appreciation for tool safety and a lack of respect for others in the workshop.
Accidents from using hand tools can have serious results, and can leave you permanently damaged which
may make you unable to work and may effect the comfort of your life. A comprehensive risk assessment
has been carried out for the work conducted in the workshop (ID 31845). This is to be read & understood
by all users of this space.
Common Injuries & Example Causes
Cuts, lacerations & abrasions caused by incorrect use of cutting & drilling tools.
Burns caused by contact with hot surfaces (hot glue gun, soldering iron)
Broken bones caused by impact from hammer, or from slipping on objects left on the floor.
Infection caused by incorrect treatment of cuts & lacerations.
Strain related injuries from unsafe manual handling.
Respiratory distress caused by use of aerosols in enclosed spaces
Damage to or loss of eye sight caused by airborne particles (from drilling, cutting, spraying etc)
Electric shock caused by faulty electrical equipment, or incorrect use of electrical equipment.
Common sense is the most important tool in any workshop, most injuries occur due to a lack of attention
or improper use of a tool. Be sensible when using tools in the workshops and follow these general safety
tips:
Always select the right tool for the job.
Do not use tools for jobs they were not intended for (ie using a screwdriver as a chisel)
Do not apply excessive pressure when using a tool.
Do not cut or chisel towards yourself.
Do not hold material in the palm of your hand when cutting or drilling
Do not throw tools onto the workbench, or to another person.
When passing tools to others, ensure you present the handle of the tool to the other person.
Do not distract or startle others who are working with tools.
Ensure you keep your wrist straight when using a tool, particularly when applying pressure.
Ensure tools are kept in good condition, this is as much your responsibility as it is the teaching staff.
Cover sharp edges with suitable covering to prevent injuries from unintended contact.
Place tools in safe positions when not in use – handles to the aisles & fully on the bench – back in the
cupboard if you have finished with them.
Maintain a clean working area, clean and check all tools before returning to the cupboard.
Incidents in the Workshop
If you or another person sustains an injury whilst in the workshop:
1. For emergencies, call Security on x53333. Do not call 000 directly, as security will need to direct
the ambulance to the appropriate place on campus.
2. The closest first aid kit is available from the ITEE front office for minor incidents (band-aids, Savlon).
3. Steve Wright is the First Aid officer for GP South – x59160 – for any minor First Aid requirements.
All incidents or near misses need to be reported to the teaching staff and an incident report must be
submitted to OH & S to assess risk levels & control measure for the future.
Guidelines for Tool/Material Use
Tool/Material Before Use During Use After Use
Cordless Drill Check battery is correctly seated Ensure any loose clothing &/or accessories Remove drill bit from chuck
are cleared away from the drill. As these
Check drill bit is securely fastened in the Return drill & drill bit to cupboard
can become caught in the drill bit causing
chuck.
injury. If battery needs charging, plug in to charger.
Check the drill bit is not broken, cracked or
Keep hands & fingers away from the drill bit Clean away any swarf produced by the
chipped.
when drilling. drilling process. (Swarf is the cuttings or
Make sure work to be drilled is secure - in shavings produced by cutting or drilling).
If you need to drill a large hole, drill a small
bench vice, or using clamps.
‘pilot’ hole first to guide the larger drill.
Put on your safety glasses.
Hot Glue Gun Check cable is in good repair – with no cuts The glue & nozzle of the glue gun is HOT Wait until the glue gun has cooled before
or wires showing. and can stick to the skin causing burns. putting back in the cupboard.
Ensure glue stick is well seated in the glue Do not touch the glue, even to test if it is
gun. dry for a few minutes after applying.
When on, ensure the glue gun does not rest
against any flammable material.
Use a glue mat under the gun when gluing
to prevent drips.
Soldering Iron Check cable is in good repair – with no cuts Safety glasses MUST be worn when Wait until the soldering iron has cooled
or wires showing. soldering. before putting back in the cupboard.
Put on your safety glasses. The soldering iron tip is HOT, hold by the
handle only.
The desktop extraction fan MUST be used
when soldering.
When on, ensure the soldering iron does
not rest against any flammable material.
Tool/Material Before Use During Use After Use
Hand Saw & Hacksaw Make sure the work to be cut is well Ensure fingers & other body parts are clear Clean away any swarf produced by the
supported on saw horses, with clamps or in of the blade before & during cutting. cutting process.
the bench vice before cutting.
On starting the cut, draw the saw back at Return saw to the cupboard.
Ensure the blade of the saw is secure in the the intended cutting point to create a notch
handle. for continuing the cut. This ensures the
blade is well seated before cutting
Put on your safety glasses.
continues and reduces the possibility of the
blade jumping.
Spanners & Pliers Ensure you are using the correct sized Pull, rather than push on the spanner/pliers, Return tool to the cupboard.
spanner to avoid slippage. using a slow & steady motion.
Position your body to prevent you losing
balance.
Chisels Ensure the work to be cut is secured on Chip or cut away from yourself. Return tool to the cupboard.
saw horses, with clamps or in the bench
Use a rubber mallet rather than a hammer Clean away any swarf produced by the
vice before cutting.
with the chisel. chiselling process.
Put on your safety glasses.
Hammers/Mallets Make sure the head of the hammer is not Strike hammer blow squarely with the Return tool to the cupboard.
loose or cracked. striking face parallel to the surface being
struck.
Make sure the handle of the hammer is not
cracked. Watch the object you are hitting.
Look around you before swinging to ensure
no-one will be hit.
Hold the hammer with a straight wrist and
your hand firmly grasping the handle.
Do not use the hammer to hit stone,
concrete or other hardened metal objects.
Tool/Material Before Use During Use After Use
Stanley knives & Ensure the blade is securely locked in place Keep your free hand away from the line of Retract or cover blade when not in use.
XActo knives before use. the cut.
When discarding blades, wrap securely in
Ensure you are using a sharp blade by When cutting through thick material, make paper or cardboard before disposal.
performing a test cut on paper. several light cuts rather than trying to cut
with a single deep stroke.
Use a straight edge to guide the knife.
Adhesives (non-spray) Be aware of first aid procedures for the Avoid contact with skin & eyes. Keep the lid on when not in use to prevent
adhesive you are using. Read the safety accidental spillage.
instructions first.
Make sure you have the right adhesive for
the material you are working with.
Spray Adhesives and Find a well-ventilated area outside of the Avoid contact with skin & eyes. Clean any residue from the spray.
Spray Paint (Aerosols) building, away from other people & ignition
Avoid breathing vapour – orient yourself so Wait until paint, or adhesive has dried
sources.
that you are upwind from the spray. before bringing inside.
Put your safety glasses on.
Place paper or cardboard down on surface
to ensure over-spray does not damage
surroundings.