CompTIA A+ Core Certification: Operational Procedures - Explain Common Safety Procedures

220-1102: Objective 4.4: Given a scenario, use common safety procedures.
Workplace safety should be the primary concern of every employee at every level in an organization. Most organizations have safety plans and procedures that directly apply to the work performed by a PC technician. These technicians need to be aware of not only data safety and security but also physical safety. This section covers basic safety procedures common for a PC technician.

Computer safety involves keeping computers safe from failure and keeping technicians safe while working in a dangerous environment.

The following concepts are covered in this section:
- Preventing electrostatic discharge
- Working with electricity safely
- Handling toxic waste
- Protecting personal and physical safety

Equipment Grounding/Proper Power Handling
Construction codes require every building with electrical service to be grounded. Grounding an electrical system means making a direct connection from the building’s electrical service to the earth so that dangerous voltage from line surges and lightning strikes will find its way into the earth instead of injuring people, damaging equipment, or causing a fire. Every grounded outlet in a building has a direct connection to a metal grounding electrode that goes several feet into the earth. Using proper grounding outlets provides an element of safety for both the user and the computer.

The figure below shows a common grounded outlet. Grounded outlets have three prongs in almost all areas of the world.


A Common Grounded Outlet

When a grounded outlet is not available, a grounded-to-ungrounded adapter (see Figure below) can be used for temporary setups if the loop on the adapter can be connected to a working ground (such as a grounding screw or a copper wire wrapped around a metal pipe).


Using a Ground Screw or Wire to Provide a Safe Connection for Grounded Equipment

In the United States, grounded 120V AC electrical outlets have been required by code since 1962. Thus, a more likely issue in residential and office environments is the possibility of an improperly installed grounded outlet: one in which the ground line does not connect to a ground.
The easiest way to determine proper building wiring, including grounding, is to use an electrical outlet tester such as the one shown in Figure below.


Using an Electrical Tester to Determine Whether an Outlet Is Properly Wired and Grounded (Earthed)

Proper Component Handling and Storage
During the building, upgrading, repairing, or teardown of electronic and computer equipment, many potential opportunities arise for equipment to be damaged or destroyed by electrostatic discharge (ESD).
ESD is the silent enemy of computer equipment. ESD might be too low for humans to detect, but it is still strong enough to damage electronic components. The human body constantly builds up static electricity—even when sitting at a desk. Additionally, the drier the atmosphere is, the more easily static electricity builds.

Table: ESD by Activity and Relative Humidity

Equipment can be damaged by ESD of 700V or higher. Table 9-3 demonstrates that even ordinary activities can cause levels of ESD that are dangerous to components. As humidity decreases, the voltage released during ESD climbs.
Without ESD protection, static electricity seeks to discharge to anything else that has a different electric potential—especially metallic items such as circuit boards. Casually picking up an expensive video card can possibly damage it. This damage could cause a complete failure or intermittent issues that are difficult to troubleshoot. Make things easier for yourself by employing antistatic measures at all times.

There are four keys to protection:
- Antistatic bags
- ESD straps
- ESD mats
- Self-grounding

Antistatic Bags
When removing a component from a computer, immediately place it in an antistatic bag and put it off to the side (see Figure below). Parts should never be lying around outside an antistatic bag. Normal bubble wrap bags do not constitute antistatic protection, so be sure to use proper antistatic bags. Some bubble wrap is antistatic and is labeled as such.


Using an Antistatic Bag to Protect a microPCIe Wireless Network Adapter

After placing an item in an antistatic bag, place it in a protective box to avoid physical impact damage.

ESD Straps
An ESD strap is designed to equalize the electric potential of the user and the device the strap is clipped to, such as the interior of a computer. Equalizing the electric potential prevents ESD because ESD is the movement of electricity between two objects with different electric potential.
An ESD strap has two pieces:
- An elastic or hook-and-loop strap with a built-in metal snap backed by a metal plate.
- A coiled flexible cable with a matching snap at one end and an alligator clip at the other end. The snap contains a 1-megohm resistor, which can help prevent injury in case of electrical discharge.

To properly use an ESD strap, follow these steps:
Step 1. Place the elastic or hook-and-loop strap around one wrist, with the flat metal plate against the skin.
Step 2. Adjust the strap until the metal plate stays in place as you move your wrist.
Step 3. Snap the cable to the strap around your wrist.
Step 4. Open the alligator cable and clamp it to the unpainted metal on the object you are servicing.

The strap around the wrist with the metal plate, snap, and cable equalizes the electrical potential between you and the object you are servicing, to prevent ESD.

Figure below illustrates a typical ESD strap and suitable locations for attaching it to a computer.


Using an ESD Strap to Prevent Damaging ESD When Working on Electronics

ESD Mats
The next level of protection for bench repairs and upgrades is to use an ESD mat. An ESD mat can be connected to a device being repaired using one of the following methods:
- A cable with an alligator clip
- A cable with a loop designed to be held in place by a case screw, but with the cable snapped to the mat instead of to your wrist
As with an ESD strap, the end of the cable that snaps to the mat has a 1-megohm resistor built into it.

The ESD mat shown in the Figure below is bundled with an ESD strap. Some versions use antifatigue material suitable for floor use.


Using an ESD Mat for Additional Protection Against Damaging ESD

Self-Grounding
In some instances, it might be necessary to work on equipment without any ESD protection. In such cases, self-grounding is a way to protect the equipment being worked on.
Self-grounding involves touching a nearby metal component before touching the device being serviced (for example, touching a metal portion of a chair before picking up a component or opening the device). Before opening a computer, you can self-ground by touching an unpainted portion of the case with both hands before you install or uninstall a component. Do this every time before you touch a component. If no other antistatic options are available, this technique can be used as a last resort.

Note: Remember to keep the computer unplugged while working inside it. Disconnect the power or turn off the computer using the power switch (if there is one) before you work on the system. You might not know whether the AC outlet is wired properly. By simply disconnecting the power, you eliminate any chance of a shock.

Other ESD and Safety Precautions to Take
When working with electronics, consider these precautions:
- When handling components or cards, hold them by the edge or bracket. Do not touch the chips, contacts, or other circuitry.
- When handling components, stay stationary. Do not shuffle your feet or move more than necessary while installing or removing the component.
- Remove jewelry and wear protective clothing. In some labs, technicians wear antistatic nylon jumpsuits. For the average person, wearing rubber-soled shoes can also help prevent ESD.
- If possible, work in an area with no carpet. Carpet is perhaps the leading cause of high electrical potential that leads to ESD.
- Avoid using AC-powered tools near a computer. Use battery-powered devices (such as a multimeter) only when necessary.

Compliance with Local Government Regulations
Compliance with local government regulations is a necessary part of legal and safe electronics and technology work. Check with your local municipality for recommended electronics recycling locations that comply with an ISO 14001 certification. Follow regulations for ventilation and other workplace issues as well.

Personal Safety
In this section, we discuss methods for keeping a bench technician safe while working on computer and electronics equipment.
 

Disconnect Power First
Electricity is a hazard to both computers and humans. Cautiously approach any encounter with electricity. Always be sure to disconnect power before repairing a PC.

Remove Jewelry
Remove jewelry of all kinds (rings, necklaces, earrings, and so on) before working on a computer. Do not allow jewelry to come into contact with any components.

Lifting Techniques
Use safe lifting techniques to avoid injury. When lifting a large or heavy item, stand close to the item, squat down to the item by bending the knees, grasp the item firmly, keep the back straight, and slowly lift with the legs, not the back. Be sure not to twist the body, and keep the item close to the body, to help prevent back injuries. When moving items, it is best to have them stored at waist level so that minimal lifting is necessary. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has plenty of guidelines and recommendations for physical safety at the workplace; see www.osha.gov.

Weight Limitations
Know your weight limitations, to avoid injury. Incorrectly lifting heavy items can cause many types of injuries. As a general rule, if an item is heavier than one-quarter of your body weight, you should ask someone else to help. Approach a box and move it slightly, to gauge whether help is needed to move it safely. Lifting is among the most common causes of worker injuries.

Electrical Fire Safety
With electrical fire safety, the safest measures are preventive ones. Buildings should be outfitted with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. The proper type of fire extinguisher for an electrical fire is a Class C extinguisher. CO2-based BC fire extinguishers are common and relatively safe to humans, but they can cause damage to computers. If equipment needs to be protected more, an ABC Halotron extinguisher should be used. Server rooms and data centers often are protected by a larger special hazard protection system that uses the FM-200 clean agent system. This clean agent does not cause damage to servers and other expensive equipment and is also safe for humans.

If you see an electrical fire, use the proper extinguisher and attempt to put it out. If the fire is too big for you to handle, dial your country’s emergency number (911 in the United States). Then evacuate the building. Afterward, you can notify building management, your supervisor, or other facilities people. If the fire involves a live electrical wire, it should be shut off at the source. Do not attempt this with bare hands, and make sure that your feet are dry and that you are not standing in any water. Use a wooden stick, board, or rope. If this is not possible, contact the supervisor or building management so they can shut down power at another junction.
If you find an apparently unconscious person underneath a live wire, do not touch the person. Again, attempt to move the live wire with a wooden stick or similar object. Never use anything metal, and do not touch anything metal while you are doing it. After moving the wire, call 911 and immediately contact your superiors. While waiting, attempt to administer first aid to the person.
Always follow company policy and local government regulations for handling emergencies.

Cable Management
Cable management is even more important outside a computer than it is inside. Routing power cables and data cables inside a PC is important for providing good airflow for cooling. However, cables outside the computer can be a trip hazard. Any external USB cables should be routed so that they do not interfere with the normal activity of employees. More important, network cables should be stationary and routed away from walking areas.
Local governments have rules for how networking and telecommunications wires should be installed, and many municipalities require a license to install any of these cables. When running network cables for new computers, first check local regulations and see whether a licensed installer is required for compliance with local government regulations. Make sure that cables do not pose trip hazards and, if possible, are not run near any electrical devices or wires.

Safety Goggles
Wear safety goggles when performing computer repairs, cleaning, or upgrades, to avoid eye injuries from dust, dirt, flyaway screws or bolts, solder, or other threats. The U.S. standard for protective work eyewear is ANSI Z87.1-2010. Eye protectors that meet this standard can be rated for nonimpact or impact (Z87+) applications, so choose according to the risks involved in your specific application.
In other countries, determine the relevant standards for industrial protection when selecting safety goggles.

Air Filter Mask
If a job being performed requires metal machining, buffing, sanding, soldering, waste processing, recycling, or painting as part or all of your technology-related work, an air filter mask might be required for safety.
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards for particulate filtering respirators include the following filter series:
- N: Not resistant to oil
- R: Resistant to oil
- P: Oil proof

The highest ratings available are P100 (99.97 percent efficiency against oil and non-oil particulate aerosols, to meet HEPA standards), R95 (95 percent efficiency against oil and non-oil particulate aerosols), and N95 (95 percent efficiency against non-oil particulate aerosols). Some filters can also block ozone.
Check the particulate hazard types associated with a task before selecting an R-series or N-series filter, or choose a P100 filter. Some masks can accept any of these filter types.