Safe working conditions help prevent injury to people and damage to computer equipment. A safe workspace is clean, organized, and properly lighted. Everyone must understand and follow safety procedures.
Follow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock, and damage to eyesight. As a best practice, make sure that a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit are available in case of fire or injury. Poorly placed or unsecured cables can cause tripping hazards in a network installation. Cables should be installed in conduit or cable trays to prevent hazards.
This is a partial list of basic safety precautions to use when working on a computer:
- Remove your watch and jewelry and secure loose clothing.
- Turn off the power and unplug equipment before performing service.
- Cover sharp edges inside the computer case with tape.
- Never open a power supply or a CRT monitor.
- Do not touch areas in printers that are hot or that use high voltage.
- Know where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it.
- Keep food and drinks out of your workspace.
- Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter.
- Bend your knees when lifting heavy objects to avoid injuring your back.