SAFETY ISSUES WITH ICT

MARIA PAULA ALDANA, NICOLE CAMPBELL, MARIA CAMILA QUESADA,NADIA GUETE

CONTENT

Introduction Objectives General working environment Employers obligations Trailing cables Spilt drinks or food Overloaded power sockets Comclusion

INTRODUCTION

The general working environment must always be a safe place to perform tasks, especially when it requires the use of ICT. The grade of safety in trhe environment will determine the time that hardware and equipment will endure, as well as the success od the tasks performed.

OBJECTIVES

Provide information about the common problems in the general working environment.

Provide measures that can help to prevent accidents during the use of ICT.

GENERAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The workplace can be a dangerous place. Some precautions which can be taken to reduce the risk of accidents are:

Ensure there are no trailing wires across or around the room which people could trip on

Electrical sockets should not be overloaded Electrical equipment should be safety

tested at least once a year There should be adequate space around

desks for people to move Bags and obstacles should be stored out of

the way so that people can't trip over them

Food and drink should not be placed near a machine

Heating and ventilation should be suitable for the working environment

Work desks should be strong enough to support computers and equipment

Staff should follow the safety regulations

Fire extinguishers should be available, including specialist ones to deal with electrical fires.

Fire exits should be clearly marked and free from clutter

EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS

Laws have been passed to ensure that employers provide a safe working environment for anyone who works with computers. This is called the 'Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

The law states that an employer must: Provide tiltable screens Provide anti-glare screen filters Provide adjustable chairs Provide foot supports Make sure lighting is suitable Make sure there is sufficient space for people to work Train employees how to use work stations correctly Ensure employees have sufficient breaks Pay for regular eye sight tests for anyone who needs

prescription glasses in order to use the computer.

TRAILING CABLES

Computer equipment is often connected to lots of cables: power, network, etc.

If these cables are laying on the floor, they can cause people to trip over them

Solution: Place cables inside cable ducts, or under the carpet / flooring

SPILT DRINKS OR FOOD

If any liquids are spilt on electrical equipment, such a s a computer, it can result in damage to the equipment, or an electric shock to the user.

Solution: Keep drinks and food away from computers

OVERLOADED POWER SOCKETS

Plugging too many power cables into a socket can result in the socket being overloaded, overheating, and a fire starting.

Solution: Never plug too many cables into a socket. Always make sure there are fire extinguishers nearby

CONCLUSION

The security of the investment in technological equipment requires a environment able to provide the proper measures to protect it form possible damage. The measures to protect the equipment also have to seek for the security of the user and the organization of data and resources , in order to obtain the maximum advantage of the ICT.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/implications/3healthandsafetyrev1.shtml

http://www.igcseict.info/theory/6/safe/index.html

http://mryusuf.com/0417/sites/default/files/S6HealthAndSafety.pdf