Workshop Safety
Foundations of workshop safety
Safety questions reward precise knowledge of causes, controls and emergency actions. Learn the hierarchy of control: eliminate the hazard, substitute a safer method, apply engineering controls (guards, fume extraction, interlocks), then administrative controls (permits, training, signage), and finally personal protective equipment as the last line of defence. PPE questions trap candidates who treat gloves or goggles as the primary control.
Know the fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, ignition) and the fire classes: Class A solids, Class B flammable liquids, Class C gases, Class D metals, and electrical fires. Water conducts electricity and reacts violently with burning metals; CO2 suits electrical and liquid fires but not deep-seated solids; dry powder is versatile; foam suits liquids. Remember PASS for extinguisher use: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
Typical traps: assuming a jack alone supports a vehicle (axle stands are mandatory); storing fuel near grinding sparks; using compressed air to clean clothing (air embolism risk); leaving the chuck key in a drill; and blocking emergency exits. Electrical safety requires earth continuity, RCD protection and lockout/tagout before maintenance. Housekeeping prevents slips, trips and spontaneous combustion of oily rags.
Worked rule of thumb: before any lifting task, apply the 25 kg single-person guide and check the load centre; if the centre of gravity lies outside the base of support, the object will topple. For lifting, keep the load close, bend the knees, keep the back straight and avoid twisting.
Key exam habits
Read the question for the hazard type and the stage of control, then choose the answer that removes the hazard rather than merely warning about it.