Occupational Safety, Health and Hygiene
Occupational Safety, Health and Hygiene
This domain tests safe working in a garment or home-textile unit: machine guarding, personal protective equipment, fire and electrical safety, ergonomics, and workplace hygiene. Expect scenario questions about a needle-prick risk, blocked aisle or poor posture.
Core rules
- Machine safety: keep needle guards and eye guards fitted; switch off and unplug before threading, cleaning or changing needles; use a brush, never fingers, to clear lint.
- Personal safety: tie back hair, avoid loose sleeves and dangling jewellery, wear closed footwear, and use a thimble or finger guard where required.
- Fire and electrical safety: keep aisles and exits clear, store flammable spotting chemicals away from heat, and report frayed cables immediately.
- Hygiene: wash hands, keep drinking water covered, do not eat at the machine, and keep toilets and canteen areas clean.
- Ergonomics: adjust chair and table height, support the back, keep feet flat, and take short breaks from repetitive stitching.
Worked example
A stitching line reports frequent needle pricks. Risk assessment: hazard = exposed needle point; who = operators; risk = high because fingers guide fabric close to the needle. Controls, in order: fit a needle guard, train operators to use the presser foot and brush, enforce no loose clothing, and record any injury in the first-aid register. PPE alone is not the first control because guarding removes the hazard at source.
Marks-losing traps
Saying gloves are always safe near a needle-loose gloves can catch; ignoring ergonomic risks because they are not sudden injuries; treating housekeeping as unimportant; forgetting to switch off before maintenance.
Key points
- Guard the hazard first, then train, then use PPE.
- Switch off before threading, cleaning or needle change.
- Keep exits, aisles and electrical panels clear.
- Report injuries and near-misses in the register.
- Good housekeeping and posture reduce long-term health problems.