Physical Safety

8.1 Physical Safety Issues 

The use of computers comes with a number of physical safety concerns. There are hazards to the physical safety users such as cabling, the sitting of a new printer, electrical overload or having a drink next to a computer. Most of these safety concerns are temporary and can be easily avoided.

Trailing Cables

You will probably have noticed that there are usually a lot of cables attached to computers, such as power cables, network cables and ones connecting mice, keyboards and printers.

What could happen if someone trips on a cable?

There might be injury such as broken bone or an electric shock to the person if they grab a live wire or cable. To avoid it happening we can tidy the cables so it won’t need to go across the floor

Spilling drinks

Most of the time computers and devices need to be plugged in to an electrical power source. This is why care has to be taken to avoid any risk of electrocution.

If a drink spilled into your keyboard:

Don’t panic.

•Unplug your computer immediately. If you unplug it quickly, you may prevent the electronics inside the computer from being damaged.

•Using a soft cloth, dry up as much of the liquid as you can.

•Pull out any other cables connected to your computer.

•Hold the laptop or keyboard upside down.

•Leave it upside down on the desk so that the rest of the liquid can drain out.

•Wait abot 24 hours then use a soft, damp cloth to clean the outside.

What is electrical overload?

Electrical overload are when too many electrical items are plugged in one socket causing more current to be put across an electrical wire or circuit than it can handle.

The danger signs are if the plugs or sockets become hot, or fuses blow unexpectedly. There may be flickering lights or burn marks on socket or plugs.

To avoid electrical overload and equipment overheating too can calculate the amps being used by dividing the amount of wattage by the voltage.

Other risks associated with computer equipment

Computer equipment is often heavy, there is risk of injury if you move it, or if an item of hardware falls on someone. If you bought a new printer it will need to be plug into the electricity power point. Whichever the printer you have, you will probably put it on a shelf near the computer, but before you put it there, ask yourself two questions:

•Is the shelf designed to carry that much weight?

•Will the printer fit properly on the shelf without it being dangerously balanced?

Devices must be placed in suitable positions. Make sure equipment is placed on tables or shelves that are strong enough for them. The position must be able to support the weight of the device and a check should be made to see if it will be large enough to support the device under each of its corners.