Workshop Safety: Hazards and Controls
Domain 7 tests your ability to spot hazards in a working bindery and state the control that removes or reduces each risk.
Hazards and controls
- Blades – scalpel, knife, plough: cut away from the body, keep the blade sharp, use a steel rule and cutting mat, keep the guiding hand behind the line, retract blades after use.
- Guillotine – amputation risk: interlocked guard in place, clamp set before the cut, hands clear, two-hand operation, no gloves, never reach in.
- Presses – keep fingers out of the nip, do not over-tighten, check threads and pins.
- Adhesives and solvents – ventilation, safety data sheet on file, nitrile gloves and eye protection for solvents, lids kept on, no flame or smoking.
- Dust – sanding board or leather needs a dust mask and extraction.
- Electrical – tested equipment, no trailing leads near the wet glue area.
- Emergency – CO2 extinguisher, eyewash, first-aid box, spill kit.
Worked example
Cutting 300 boards. Hazards: laceration or amputation, board dust, back strain. Controls: guard interlocked, clamp set, sharp blade, stack squared, trained operator, no gloves, dust mask, bench at correct height. Residual risk is low. Blade changes follow lockout and use cut-resistant gloves.
Traps
- Wearing gloves at the guillotine.
- Persisting with a dull blade that needs force.
- Eating or drinking at the bench.
- Using solvent in a closed room.
- Reaching into a press nip for a quick adjustment.
- Leaving a blade at the bench edge.