Lesson 1

Safety procedures while handling a

computer
Lesson objectives
•Upon completion of this lesson, students will
be able to:
•Explain the purpose of safe working
conditions and procedures
•Identify hardware and software tools used
with personal computer components and
their purposes.
 Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use

• The workplace should have safety guidelines

to follow in order to:
• Protect people from injury
• Protect equipment from damage
• Protect the environment from contamination
 Recognize Safe Working Conditions
• Can You Recognize Safe Working Conditions in
your workspace?
• Some things to look for:
• Clean, organized, and properly lit workspace
• Proper procedures for handling equipment
• Proper disposal or recycling of components
containing hazardous materials
Benefits of safe working conditions
• Safe working conditions protect users from accident
and injury.
• Proper procedures for handling computer components
prevent equipment damage and data from loss.
• Proper disposal of computer components protects the
environment.
• Professional technicians follow proper safety
procedures.
• Customers prefer to deal with responsible technicians.
By observing proper safe working condition, you are
able to maintain your customers.
 Dangers of working on computers
Ask the students to think of themselves as technicians about to
enter the workforce. They may see the importance of learning
good safety procedures in that context.
List possible dangers to technicians
• Cuts
• Burns
• Electrical shock
• laser dangers (Damage to eyes)
• etc.

Precautions and warnings – List ways to protect the technician

• Cuts - sharp edges and sharp tools
• Burns - hot components such as fuser roller of laser printer
• Electrical shock - Unplug power cords. Do not open power supplies or monitors
unless qualified. Some high voltage capacitors (in monitors) retain dangerous
voltages after power is removed
• Damage to eyes - Wear safety glasses. Pieces of cut wire can fly from the wire cutter.
 Categories of safety guidelines
1. Fire Safety Guidelines
1. Follow fire safety guidelines to protect;
a) Lives (users of computer systems
b) Structures (facilities housing the computers, computer
desks, working benches etc)
c) Equipment (computers, switches, cables etc)
2. Know the location of fire extinguishers, how to use
them, and which to use for electrical fires and for
combustible fires
3. Have an escape route in case a fire gets out of
control
4. Know how to contact emergency services quickly
 Fire extinguishers
• Fire extinguishers are special pressurized devices that
release chemicals or water to aid in putting out a fire.

• They keep small fires from spreading, assist in fighting

fires until the Fire brigade arrives.

• REMEMBER: A fire extinguisher is no substitute for the

Fire Brigade. Always call the Fire brigade first no
matter how small you think the fire is.

• In order to understand how a fire extinguisher works,

you need to know about fire.
classifications for fire extinguishers
• There are several classifications for fire extinguishers.
• Each type of fire extinguisher has specific chemicals to
fight different types of fires:

• Class A: SOLIDS such as paper, wood, plastic etc

• Class B: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS such as paraffin, petrol,
oil etc
• Class C: FLAMMABLE GASES such as propane, butane,
methane etc
• Class D: METALS such as aluminium, magnesium,
titanium etc
• Class E: Fires involving ELECTRICAL APPARATUS
• Class F: Cooking OIL & FAT etc
 Types of fire extinguishers
• H2O (Water) Fire Extinguishers:
The cheapest and most widely used fire extinguishers.
Used for Class A (SOLIDS) fires. Not suitable for Class B
(Liquid) fires, or where electricity is involved.
• Foam Fire Extinguishers:
More expensive than water, but more
versatile/multipurpose. Used for Classes A & B fires.
Foam spray extinguishers are not recommended for
fires involving electricity (Class E), but are safer than
water if inadvertently sprayed onto live electrical
apparatus.
 Types of fire extinguishers
• Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers:
Often termed the ‘multi-purpose’ extinguisher, as
it can be used on classes A, B & C fires
(FLAMMABLE GASES ). Best for running liquid fires
(Class B). Will efficiently extinguish Class C gas
fires.
• BUT BEWARE, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO
EXTINGUISH A GAS FIRE WITHOUT FIRST
ISOLATING THE GAS SUPPLY. Special powders are
available for class D metal fires.
 Types of fire extinguishers
• CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Fire Extinguishers:
Carbon Dioxide is ideal for fires involving electrical
apparatus (Class E), and will also extinguish class B
(liquid fires), but has NO POST FIRE SECURITY and the
fire could re-ignite.
• Wet chemical
Specialist extinguisher for class F fires (Cooking OIL &
FAT etc .)
• For Metal Fires: A specialist fire extinguisher for use on
Class D fires (Metal Fires) - such as sodium, lithium,
manganese and aluminium when in the form of
swarf/chips or turnings.
Metal swarfs
 How to use a fire extinguisher
• It is important to know how to use a fire
extinguisher. Use the memory aid P-A-S-S to help you
remember the basic rules of fire extinguisher
operation:
P - Pull the pin.
A - Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames.
S - Squeeze the lever.
S - Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

• locate and identify the nearest fire extinguishers in

your building.
EMMERGENCY NUMBERS
• Police: 112/999/020 353 1850
•
• •Fire Brigade / Ambulance: 020 2222 181/213,020 2401 025
• Fire Brigade – THIKA 067 2222085

• •Cell: 0737 821 172, 0714 7115393

•
• •St. Johns’ Ambulance: 0721 225 285
•
• •National Disaster Operation centre:
020 0012386/0202112350/02022291445
• •Kenya Red cross society: 0728 602 502
Fire Fighting Equipment
• Fire hydrants and sprinklers system.
• Use of water pumped from a storage tank or
from the water mains.
• Fire blanket (asbestos)
• Used to put out small fires.
• The blanket covers the fire.
• Sand and soil
• Fire fighting engines.
• Vehicles, portable, airplanes, helicopters
OTHER ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENTS
• First aid kits
• Gloves
• Torches- matches, safety pins- scissors.
• Lamps- hurricane/pressure.
• Stretchers
• Ropes
• Food
• Fireman’s axes
• Steel buckets
• Ladder
• Loud hailer
• Dust coats, dust masks e.t.c
• People need to be enlightened on the purpose
of having the above equipment and their use
during an emergency.
FIRE DISASTER RESPONSE
• Understanding alarm systems. All residents in
the building or institutions must differentiate
fire alarms from other general alarms and
response procedures.
• Initial action on discovery of a fire should be
aimed at extinguishing the fire immediately it
is discovered with every available but
appropriate method.
• Institutional fire fighting team should respond
immediately.
FIRE DISASTER RESPONSE

• If the fire becomes unmanageable:-

• Shout Fire!Fire!Fire!
• Switch of main switches and every electrical
outlet.
• Activate fire alarm bells (break glass)
• Close windows, ventilators, louvers, doors but
do not lock.
• Inform telephone operator to alert every one
to evacuate.
• No one should return to an evacuated area.
 2.Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
• Def: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) - is the release of
static electricity when two objects come into contact.

• ESD can be destructive to the electronics in a computer

system.
• Static electricity can build up on you as you walk across
a carpeted floor. When you touch another person, you
both receive a shock. If the discharge causes pain or
makes a noise, the charge was probably above 10,000
volts.
• At least 3,000 volts of static electricity must build up
before a person can feel ESD, but less than 30 volts of
static electricity can damage a computer component.
 ESD Definition
•ESD – Electrostatic Discharge: The
transfer of an
.

electrostatic charge between bodies at

different electrical potentials.

– Also referred to as static electricity

– Electrostatic charge is most commonly
created by the contact and separation of
two materials which results in Tribocharging
 ESD Is the Hidden Enemy

•There are innumerable ESD events occurring all the time that . we
cannot see or feel.

People Feel ESD at 2000 Volts!!!!

Component damage - can occur with as little as 15 – 30 Volts!!!!

 Sources of ESD
The following items are examples of materials that
generate and hold electrostatic charge.
 Vinyl binders  Paper, schematics, etc.
 Equipment covers  Plastic work travelers
 Plastic document  Plastic spray bottles
holders/sheet protectors  Personal items
TM
 Post-It notes –Purses
 Plastic pens –Sweaters/jackets
 –Insulated lunch totes
Bubble wrap
–Combs/brushes
 Plastic housings on
–Lotion bottles
equipment
 Common Causes of ESD

– Opening a common plastic bag

– Removing adhesive tape from
a roll or container
– Walking across a floor and
grabbing the door knob
– Transporting computer boards
or components around in their
trays on non-ESD carts
– Sliding circuit boards on a
work bench
 Why is ESD Important?
•Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can damage sensitive
electronic devices, resulting in:
– Higher manufacturing costs
 Rework
 Repair
 Scrap
– Lower production yields
– Unhappy customers
 Shorter product life
 Reduce product reliability
• of actual cost of ESD damage to the
Estimates electronics
industry = $$$ Billions annually
….point out the negative affects that ESD
has on our business and our customers,
especially, the unhappy customers when
products fail on them

Ask the students if they’ve ever bought a

product and it failed soon after they started
using it.

How did it make them fail?

How do you think customers feel when

products we built for them fail?
 How to control ESD?

ESD Control Program

– ESD Training

– ESD Control Areas

– Ground Conductors

– Ionization

– ESDS Component Handling and Storage

 ESD Control Program
The first step in ESD control is to train all personnel who
may come in contact with static sensitive materials

 Proper use of personal grounding equipment

such as heel grounders or wrist straps
 Personnel should understand ESD
equipment test methods and documentation
 Understanding of other ESD control
methods such as ionization
 ESD Control Program
Any area where unprotected ESD sensitive parts and assemblies
may be handled shall be designated an ESD Control Area

The area must meet the following requirements;

 Should be free from non-essential static generators,
and the risk from process-essential static generators is
minimized
 All personnel must be grounded and grounding
equipment must be tested daily
 All movable carts, racks, etc. are grounded
 The area is labeled as an ESD control
area, and the boundaries are
clearly marked
 Create an ESD Control Area
– Any area where unprotected ESDS parts and assemblies may be handled
– ESD areas must be labeled with posted signs and their boundaries marked
ESD Control Program Cont.
All Conductors within electronic
assembly points must be grounded
 Personal Grounding: All
personnel, including
visitors
 Work surfaces and
flooring
 All equipment
 Personal Grounding
Wrist Straps and Coil Cords
 WristStraps ground personnel at
workstations

Heel Grounders
 Ground mobile personnel in areas where
there are ESD floors

Smocks
 Smock sleeves should be in contact
with the skin, clothing underneath
should not show
 Personal Grounding

All Personal Grounding Equipment

Should be Tested or Monitored Daily
 Wrist Strap and Footwear Testing Stations
 ESD ground monitoring
 Constant

 Impedance

OHM Metrics and Monroe Electronics

Test and Measurement Products CM Series
ESD Workstation Monitors
 Power Fluctuation
• Voltage is the force that moves electrons
through a circuit.
• The movement of electrons is called current.
Computer circuits need voltage and current to
operate electronic components.
• When the voltage in a computer is not
accurate or steady, computer components
may not operate correctly. Unsteady voltages
are called power fluctuations.
 Types of AC power fluctuations
• The following types of AC power fluctuations can cause
data loss or hardware failure:
• Blackout - Complete loss of AC power
• Brownout - Reduced voltage level of AC power that
lasts for a period of time
• Noise - Electrical interference from generators and
lightining
• Spike - Sudden increase in voltage that lasts for a very
short period and exceeds 100% of the normal voltage
on a line
• Power surge - Dramatic increase in voltage above the
normal flow of electrical current
 Shielding against power fluctuation
issues
• To help shield against power fluctuation issues, use power
protection devices to protect the data and computer equipment:
– A surge suppressor helps protect against damage from surges and
spikes. A surge suppressor diverts extra electrical voltage on the line
to the ground.
– Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) helps protect against potential
electrical power problems by supplying electrical power to a computer
or other device.
– Standby Power Supply (SPS) helps protect against potential electrical
power problems by providing a backup battery to supply power when
the incoming voltage drops below the normal level.
• CAUTION: Never plug a printer into a UPS device. UPS
manufacturers suggest not plugging a printer into a UPS for fear of
burning up the printer motor.
 3. Proper Disposal
• Protecting the environment by responsibly
disposing and recycling
• Batteries from portable computer systems may
contain lead, cadmium, lithium, alkaline
manganese, and mercury. Recycling batteries
should be a standard practice for a technician.
• Monitors contain up to 4 pounds of lead, as well
as rare earth metals. Monitors must be disposed
of in compliance with environmental regulations.
• Used printer toner kits and printer cartridges
must be disposed of properly or recycled.
E-waste
 Statistics on E-waste
Estimates of e-waste generated annually in
Kenya are:-
• 11,400 tonnes from refrigerators,
• 2,800 tonnes from TVs,
• 2,500 tonnes from personal computers,
• 500 tonnes from printers and
• 150 tonnes from mobile phones (Press
Release UNEP, 2010).
E-waste management - Impacts associated with
E-waste

• E-waste is the most rapidly growing problem

in waste stream due to its quantity, toxicity
and carcinogenicity. Often, the toxic material
is improperly disposed and thus
poses a threat to human health and the
environment.
• Social Impacts
-E-waste affects people’s health (e.g. lead
poisoning and cancerous)

• Economic Impacts
- Loss / waste of resources that can be recycled
for re-use.
-Opportunities for recycling industries and
employment lost.
Environmental Impacts
-Air pollution, especially when it is burnt.
-Waste management problem of non-
biodegradable
equipment.
-Toxicity and radioactive nature of E-waste to
humans, soil
and animals.
Guidelines for learning institutions
• Learning institutions can be those associated
with basic education or higher education.
They are recipients of electrical and electronic
goods. Unfortunately, most of the second
hand products are not inspected before they
are donated. Coupled with poor handling and
use, their lifespan becomes shorter resulting
in huge amounts of e-waste in most learning
institutions.
Guidelines for learning institutions
• In order to manage e-waste, learning institutions need to:
• Create awareness and conduct sensitization campaigns on
responsible e-waste management
• Develop Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with
Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) for take-
back, recycling and refurbishing of e-waste at life-end
• Develop mechanisms to ensure that inspection
certificates clearly specify end-of-life date and who bears
responsibility thereafter
• Develop and mainstream e-waste education in curricula
 Tools for the Job
• Identify tools and software used with personal
computer components and their purposes
• For every job there is the right tool.
• Make sure that you are familiar with the
correct use of each tool and that the right tool
is used for the current task.
• Skilled use of tools and software makes the
job less difficult and ensures that tasks are
performed properly and safely.
 Proper Tool Use

• Using tools properly helps prevent accidents

and damage to equipment and people.
• This section describes and covers the proper
use of a variety of hardware, software, and
organizational tools specific to working with
computers and peripherals.
 Hardware Tools
• For every job there is the right tool. Make sure that you are
familiar with the correct use of each tool and that the
correct tool is used for the current task. Skilled use of tools
and software makes the job less difficult and ensures that
tasks are performed properly and safely.
• A toolkit should contain all the tools necessary to complete
hardware repairs. As you gain experience, you learn which
tools to have available for different types of jobs. Hardware
tools are grouped into four categories:
• ESD tools
• Hand tools
• Cleaning tools
• Diagnostic tools
Computer Tools
 ESD Tools
• There are two ESD tools: the antistatic wrist
strap and the antistatic mat. The antistatic
wrist strap protects computer equipment
when grounded to a computer chassis. The
antistatic mat protects computer equipment
by preventing static electricity from
accumulating on the hardware or on the
technician.
 Hand Tools
• Hand Tools
• Most tools used in the computer assembly
process are small hand tools. They are
available individually or as part of a computer
repair toolkit. Toolkits range widely in size,
quality, and price.
 Common hand tools
• Some common hand tools and their uses are:
• Flat-head screwdriver: Used to tighten or
loosen slotted screws.
• Phillips-head screwdriver: Used to tighten or
loosen cross-headed screws.
• Torx screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen
screws that have a star-like depression on the
top, a feature that is mainly found on laptops.
• Hex driver: Used to tighten or loosen nuts in the same way
that a screwdriver tightens or loosens screws (sometimes
called a nut driver).
• Needle-nose pliers: Used to hold small parts.
• Wire cutters: Used to strip and cut wires.
• Tweezers: Used to manipulate small parts.
• Part retriever: Used to retrieve parts from locations that
are too small for your hand to fit.
• Flashlight: Used to light up areas that you cannot see well.
• Wire stripper: A wire stripper is used to remove the
insulation from wire so that it can be twisted to other wires
or crimped to connectors to make a cable.
• Crimper: Used to attach connectors to wires.
• Punch-down tool: Used to terminate wire into termination
blocks. Some cable connectors must be connected to
cables using a punch down tool.
 Cleaning Tools
• Having the appropriate cleaning tools is
essential when maintaining and repairing
computers. Using the appropriate cleaning
tools helps ensure that computer components
are not damaged during cleaning.
 Cleaning tools
• Cleaning tools include the following:
• Soft cloth: Used to clean different computer
components without scratching or leaving debris
• Compressed air: Used to blow away dust and
debris from different computer parts without
touching the components
• Cable ties: Used to bundle cables neatly inside
and outside of a computer
• Parts organizer: Used to hold screws, jumpers,
fasteners, and other small parts and prevents
them from getting mixed together
 Diagnostic Tools
• Diagnostic tools are used to test and diagnose
equipment. Diagnostic tools include the
following:
• A digital multimeter, is a device that can take
many types of measurements. It tests the
integrity of circuits and the quality of
electricity in computer components. A digital
multimeter displays the information on an
LCD or LED.
Multimeter
• A loopback adapter, also called a loopback
plug, tests the basic functionality of computer
ports. The adapter is specific to the port that
you want to test.
• The toner probe, is a two-part tool. The toner part is
connected to a cable at one end using specific adapters, such
as an RJ-45, coaxial, or metal clips. The toner generates a tone
that travels the length of the cable. The probe part traces the
cable. When the probe is in near proximity to the cable to
which the toner is attached, the tone can be heard through a
speaker in the probe.

Toner Probe
 Software Tools
• Like hardware tools, there are a variety of
software tools that can be used to help
technicians pinpoint and troubleshoot
problems. Many of these tools are free and
several come with the Windows operating
system.
 Disk Management Tools
• Software tools help diagnose computer and network
problems and determine which computer device is not
functioning correctly. A technician must be able to use
a range of software tools to diagnose problems,
maintain hardware, and protect the data stored on a
computer.
• You must be able to identify which software to use in
different situations. Disk management tools help
detect and correct disk errors, prepare a disk for data
storage, and remove unwanted files.
The following are some disk management
tools:
• FDISK: A command-line tool that creates and deletes
partitions on a hard drive. The FDISK tool is not
available in Windows XP, Vista, or 7. It has been
replaced with the Disk Management tool.
• Disk Management Tool: Initializes disks, creates
partitions, and formats partitions.
• Format: Prepares a hard drive to store information.
• ScanDisk or CHKDSK: Checks the integrity of files and
folders on a hard drive by scanning the file system.
These tools might also check the disk surface for
physical errors.
• Defrag: Optimizes space on a hard drive to
allow faster access to programs and data.
• Disk Cleanup: Clears space on a hard drive by
searching for files that can be safely deleted.
• System File Checker (SFC): A command-line
tool that scans the operating system critical
files and replaces files that are corrupted.
• Use the Windows 7 boot disk for
troubleshooting and repairing corrupted files.
The Windows 7 boot disk repairs Windows
system files, restores damaged or lost files,
and reinstalls the operating system.
• Third-party software tools are also available to
assist in troubleshooting problems.
 Protection Software Tools
• Each year, viruses, spyware, and other types of
malicious attacks infect millions of computers.
These attacks can damage operating systems,
applications, and data. Computers that have
been infected may even have problems with
hardware performance or component failure.
• To protect data and the integrity of the operating
system and hardware, use software designed to
guard against attacks and to remove malicious
programs.
• Various types of software protect hardware and data:
• Windows 7 Action Center: Checks the status of
essential security settings. The Action Center
continuously checks to make sure that the software
firewall and antivirus programs are running. It also
ensures that automatic updates download and install
automatically.
• Antivirus program: Protects against virus attacks.
• Antispyware program: Protects against software that
sends information about web surfing habits to an
attacker. Spyware can be installed without the
knowledge or consent of the user.
• Window 7 Firewall: Runs continuously to protect
against unauthorized communications to and from
your computer.
 Organizational Tools
• Keeping accurate records and journals during
a busy workday can be challenging. Many
organizational tools, such as work-order
systems, can help the technician document
their work.
 Reference Tools
• A technician must document all repairs and
computer problems. The documentation can
then be used as a reference for future
problems or for other technicians who may
not have encountered the problem before.
The documents can be paper based, but
electronic forms are preferred because they
can be easily searched for specific problems.
• Personal Reference Tools
• Personal reference tools include troubleshooting
guides, manufacturer manuals, quick reference
guides, and repair journals. In addition to an
invoice, a technician keeps a journal of upgrades
and repairs. The documentation in the journal
includes descriptions of the problem, possible
solutions that have been attempted, and the
steps taken to repair the problem. Note any
configuration changes made to the equipment
and any replacement parts used in the repair.
This documentation is valuable when you
encounter similar situations in the future.
• Notes: Make notes as you go through the
troubleshooting and repair process. Refer to
these notes to avoid repeating previous steps
and to determine what steps to take next.
• Journal: Document the upgrades and repairs that
you perform. Include descriptions of the
problem, possible solutions that have been tried
to correct the problem, and the steps taken to
repair the problem. Note any configuration
changes made to the equipment and any
replacement parts used in the repair. Your
journal, along with your notes, can be valuable
when you encounter similar situations in the
future.
• History of repairs: Make a detailed list of
problems and repairs, including the date,
replacement parts, and customer information.
The history allows a technician to determine
what work has been performed on a specific
computer in the past.
• Internet Reference Tools
• The Internet is an excellent source of
information about specific hardware problems
and possible solutions:
• Internet search engines
• News groups
• Manufacturer FAQs
• Online computer manuals
• Online forums and chat
• Technical websites
• Miscellaneous Tools
• With experience, you will discover many
additional items to add to the toolkit.

E.g A working computer is a valuable resource to

take with you on computer repairs in the field.
A working computer can be used to research
information, download tools or drivers, and
communicate with other technicians.