Computer Safety, Occupational Hazards & Environmental Protection

Posted on Aug 16, 2024 in Other subjects

Safety and Environmental Protection in Computer Systems

Risk Assessment

Risk is the possibility or probability of harm. Depending on the employee’s job, the risks to which they are subjected are different. For every job, there are risks, and these may increase.

In the risk assessment, values that can cause damage or injury, what steps should be taken to control risks, or if they can take steps to ensure that the risks are gone.

There should be an initial risk assessment when creating the job and reviewed following the detection of damage to the health of workers.

1. Risks and Their Danger Level

The risks are different depending on the level of dangerousness of the activity and the risk factor itself. We must also take into account the probability of risk. The risks should be notified and indicated where possible.

Prevention of Occupational Hazards

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE means any equipment designed to be worn or held by the worker to protect them against one or more risks that could threaten their safety or health.

Excluded from PPE:

  • Work clothes and uniforms which are not intended to protect health.
  • The teams in the relief and rescue services.
  • Individual protective equipment for military, police, and law enforcement services.
  • Individual protective equipment for road transport.
  • Sports equipment.
  • Self-defense material.
  • Portable devices for detecting and signaling risk.
1.1. Obligations of Employers
  1. Identify jobs where you have to resort to personal safety and clarify the risk to be offered protection, parts of the body to protect, and the type of equipment or personal protective equipment to be used.
  2. Choose the most appropriate PPE for the job and potential risks that exist, available in the company, maintaining the necessary information.
  3. Provide workers with free PPE to be of use, replacing it when needed.
  4. Ensure that the use of PPE is done properly.
  5. Ensure that equipment maintenance is performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
1.2. Duties of Workers
  1. Use and care for PPE.
  2. Place PPE in the right place after use.
  3. Report any defects in the PPE so that you can avoid a loss of protective efficacy.

The computer can perform its work in multiple settings. Most of the time, you need to use PPE, but other times, they will use them.

1.3. List of Personal Protective Equipment

Are chosen according to three factors:

  • Body area to be protected.
  • Labor activity (agriculture, industry, construction, trade, hotels, etc.).
  • Type of risk.

Some PPE are: harnesses, safety belts, high-visibility clothing, protective clothing against fire, protective clothing against biological agents, boots, shoes, gloves, helmets, goggles, welding screens, masks, and equipment for breathing, etc.

2. Rules and Tips for Work Environments

  • Try to keep cables retracted to avoid falls. They should avoid being on the ground.
  • Data cables should not be in contact with power lines.
  • Electrical installations must be in good condition.
  • Avoid overloading outlets with adapters and multiple strips. Try to spread the load between the plugs.
  • Turn off computers when leaving the office to prevent overheating.
  • Separate teams from the wall to avoid overheating.
  • Ensure plugs and appliances are grounded.
  • Have an adequate fire prevention system, including extinguishers and exit signs.
  • Air conditioning: Place it near exits to avoid air conditioning near radiators. Maintain a temperature of 22 degrees in winter and 24 degrees in summer.
  • Noise makes it difficult to concentrate. It should not exceed 55 decibels. Try to make the office a quiet place.
  • Consider the psychosocial factor at work. We must try to ensure work procedures are clear and the organization is adequate.
  • Employees working on the assembly and repair of computer equipment should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Always use natural light when possible. If artificial light is used, it should not cause glare.
  • Jobs must be near windows, preventing light from the window from falling on the screen and causing reflection for the worker.
  • Ceilings should be white, and walls painted in neutral tones.
  • The vibration of air conditioning machines, printers, etc., is a source of agitation and should be reduced or eliminated where possible.
  • In offices with a lot of static charge, it can be reduced by increasing the humidity in the air or using antistatic measures.
2.1. Specific Advice for Computer Users

When we spend a long time in front of the screen, it can produce:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders in the back, neck, shoulders, hands, and arms.
  • Visual problems such as irritation, redness, blurred vision, etc., caused by looking at the screen and the documents you are working on, due to the difference in brightness.
  • Mental fatigue when performing repetitive or monotonous tasks or even when the pace of work is excessive. The inappropriate use of computer programs for a long time can also cause mental fatigue.

The following tips will try to minimize these problems:

  • The distance between the screen and the worker’s eye must be more than 40cm.
  • The distance between the line of sight and the horizontal to the screen should be less than 60°.
  • Do not use small screens, as they cause eye strain.
  • Adjust the contrast and brightness of the screen.
  • Do not work in darkness.
  • Avoid CRT monitors. Newer displays have less glare and improved contrast capabilities.
  • The position, angle, and height of the keyboard should be sufficient so that when the worker is working, their hands should be as relaxed as possible.
  • Choose a comfortable mouse, not too big or too small.
  • Maintain proper posture when using the computer. The spine should be straight, leaning on the back of the chair, and other parts of the body should adopt a relaxed and natural position as possible.
  • Furniture should be as comfortable as possible and should be adjustable.
  • Chairs are very important. We recommend using an adjustable, ergonomic, and comfortable chair for the worker.

3. Causes of Accidents

  • Incorrect use of facilities, materials, or tools.
  • Issues caused by the workplace.
  • Issues caused by the physical environment.
  • Lack of rules for preventing such accidents.
  • Existing rules being incorrect, lack of control by superiors, or lack of accountability of the worker.
  • Lack of training or knowledge by the worker.
  • Physical or mental incapacity of the worker.
  • Machine wear and tear.
  • Machinery not following the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Issues caused by the job itself.
  • Use of defective machinery.
  • Lack of attention by staff.

4. Order and Cleanliness

  • Ensure materials are placed in their correct places.
  • Ensure materials are not contaminated.
  • Dispose of used disposable material in proper containers.
  • Ensure emergency exits are not blocked.
  • Ensure the lighting system is adequate.
  • Maintain a clean work environment.
  • Ensure workplace signaling is clear and visible.
  • Ensure workers are aware of cleanliness and order protocols.

Environmental Protection

1. Environmental Protection: Electronic Waste

2. Standards for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Computing

  • Use the fewest possible pieces of equipment.
  • Turn off equipment not in use.
  • Optimize equipment usage.
  • Use energy-saving techniques. Do not use standby mode if not necessary. Screensavers consume more energy.
  • Disconnect peripherals. Printers and other peripherals must be disconnected at the end of the day.
  • Buy low-energy equipment. Buy equipment certified by Energy Star or other similar distinctions.
  • Use equipment that consumes less energy. A laptop consumes less than a desktop.
  • Use more efficient processors. An Intel Atom processor (2.5 watts) is not the same as an old Pentium 4 (115 watts).
  • Close unused applications and turn off the monitor when not needed.
  • Do not use old PCs as servers. The older the PCs, the more energy they consume.
  • Use functional teams.
  • A USB device connected to the network consumes less.
  • Utilize PC networks.
  • Automatically switch off equipment. Using software programmers or automatically shutting down the computer may be a very economical and convenient solution.

4. Recycling of Electronic Devices

The use of electronic devices is increasing. Electronic products contain contaminants such as heavy metals, halogen, PVC, flame retardants, etc.

The recycling of these products is essential to eliminate such dangerous components they contain and recycle other components to use them again. Depending on the component used, use one technique or another. The result is the generation of recycling by-products such as plastics, metals, glass, etc.

Electronic components can be collected at collection points where they pick up any polluting product.

One of the problems is that electronic waste is deposited in the trash and eventually reaches landfills, where they are incinerated, contaminating the soil and atmosphere.