Storage and Handling of Equipment

Storage and Handling of Equipment

In order to perform work in the workshop, various tools, instruments and equipment are used. Some of these instruments found in an electrical workshop are:
         i.            Ammeters,
       ii.            Ohmmeters ,
      iii.            Voltmeters,
     iv.            oscilloscopes ,
       v.            Power packs

During the storage of such instruments, safety precautions and procedures have to be followed to avoid damage. If poorly stored or handled the instruments may:
a)      give false readings when in use,
b)      be damaged by water and dampness,
c)       give an electric shock due to dampness,
d)      be damaged when Incorrectly connected.

The following are some points to remember when storing and handling such instruments:
a)      Always store them in a dry, cool place.
b)      Never stack instruments and tools one on top of each other.
c)       Never drop them.
d)      Never switch on power sources before checking the circuit.

Other equipment found in the workshop include:
         i.            drill press,
       ii.            bench grinders,
      iii.            lathe machines.

These machines and equipment are dangerous mainly because of their moving parts. Careless use of these machines can cause a severe injury to the body and sometimes maim the user. It is, therefore, very important to know how to:
1.       start a particular machine,
2.       operate it safely,
3.       stop it.

When using electrically powered tools or equipment, the following safety procedures should be significantly observed:
1.       Do not let loose cables obstruct other workshop users.
2.       Make sure that all electrical connections are safe.
3.       Never switch on an electric source if others are leaning on the equipment.
4.       Always use protective gear such as a face shield, goggles and gloves when welding.
5.       Keep inflammable materials away when using electrical equipment.
6.       Do not use these electrical equipment in damp areas.
7.       Electrical equipment with metal bodies must always be earthed.
8.       Always remove the plug from the socket outlet when the equipment is not in use.

After use of any of the above mentioned and similar equipment, the power supply cables should be folded carefully. Equipment must also be stored in a safe area in the electrical workshop or in the store where they do not cause an obstruction.
In one sentence, always exercise safety when storing and handling tools, materials, instruments and equipment.

Storage and Handling of Materials

Storage and Handling of Materials

Materials used in the workshop may be classified as:
a)      corrosive,
b)      combustible or,
c)       non-combustible materials.
When dealing with any of these materials, care must be taken to avoid accidents associated with them.

Examples of corrosive materials are:
         i.            Sulphuric acid,
       ii.            Killed spirits such as zinc chloride acid,
      iii.            Hydrochloric acid.

All acids must be treated as dangerous and should be stored and handled very cautiously. For instance, sulphuric acid causes painful and serious burns if it gets on the skin and, as such, proper protective clothes such as gloves and aprons must always be worn when working with acids. To avoid explosions during mixing, always add acid to water and not vice versa.
Other materials regularly used in the workshop are highly flammable or combustible. They are:
         i.            petrol,
       ii.            kerosene,
      iii.            methylated spirit.

These should be stored and handled very carefully so that accidental fires are avoided. They should be stored in clearly labelled containers and possibly with warnings. Fires from them are fierce and may cause severe burns or death to many people. Besides, a fire can destroy the whole workshop, including expensive equipment, the tools housed in the building and the building too!

Other materials used in an electrical shop, although less flammable, must be protected from high temperatures. Electric cables insulating materials such as rubber and polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C.) will easily be destroyed by fire. When working on cables and wires using a naked flame, safety precautions must always be taken.

Materials such as metal bars, pipes, tube and asbestos which are heavy and sometimes long can pose danger to people when stored or handled carelessly. The storage of these materials must be done in such a way that they do not obstruct gangways. Asbestos, though non-combustible, must be handled with great care since inhaling asbestos may cause lung cancer. Asbestos, must, hence, be treated as a very dangerous material.
When using any material, always be sure of the safe method of handling it.  There are dangers associated with the way some materials are heated or used. Knowledge of the behaviours or characteristics of various materials under different conditions of use and storage is essential in order to handle them without harm.

Storage and Handling of Tools

Storage and Handling of Tools

Tools are of many forms and sizes and, when stored and handled carelessly, can easily cause accidents. To avoid this, storage facilities must be provided in the electrical workshop. Tools may be stored in:
a. tool box
b. tool kit,
c. tool rack.

For easy identification, simple sketches of the tools may be painted in the storage facilities. This is called shadow-painting.

Shadow-painting
a. eases and quickens the process of returning the tools in their proper places.
b. speeds up the checking of tools

Some common methods of tools storage systems are as shown:

Trolley

Box

Rack or Wallboard

Shadow painting in use

Storage of Tools, Materials and Equipment

1.4 Storage of Tools, Material and Equipment

Overview

Tools, materials and equipment in the workshop must be handled and stored carefully to a manner that does not create a risk to the safety or health of a worker or affect the safe operation of the workshop.
Accidents may cause injuries (sometimes fatal) or damage tools, materials and equipment. Therefore, it is very important to think of safety when handling these items.
General  procedures must be provided as step by step guidance on how to manage each aspect of category and may cover:

1. receipts and issues of tools, materials and equipment
2. quality control or verification
3. proper storage control
4. how to control stock movement safely of tools, materials and equipment
5. documentation flow to track users
6. how to detect and deal with stock losses of tools, materials and equipment
7. how unwanted tools, materials and equipment should be handled