Computer System Safety and Environmental Protection: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Aug 11, 2024 in Other subjects

ITEM 8. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS.

8.1. RISK ASSESSMENT.

Risk is the possibility or probability of harm.

Depending on an employee’s job, the risks they are subjected to are different. For every job, there are risks, and these may increase.

In a risk assessment, you should identify values that can cause damage or injury, determine what steps should be taken to control risks, and if possible, take steps to eliminate the risks.

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

8.1.1. RISKS AND THEIR DANGER LEVEL.

Risks vary depending on the level of dangerousness of the activity and the risk factor itself. You must also consider the probability of risk. Risks should be notified and indicated where possible.

8.2. PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS.

8.2.1. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

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

Excluded from PPE:

  • Work clothes and uniforms that are not intended to protect health.
  • Teams in relief and rescue services.
  • Individual protective equipment for military, police, and law enforcement services.
  • Individual protective equipment for road transport.
  • Sports equipment.
  • Materials for self-defense.
  • Portable devices for detecting and signaling risk.

8.2.1.1. Obligations of Employers.

  1. Identify jobs where you have to resort to personal safety equipment and clarify the risk to be protected, the 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 used, 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.

8.2.1.2. Duties of Workers.

  1. Make 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.

Computer professionals can perform their work in multiple settings. Most of the time, they need to use PPE, but other times, they will not.

8.2.1.3. List of Personal Protective Equipment.

PPE is chosen according to three factors:

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

Some PPE includes: harnesses, safety belts, high-visibility clothing, protective clothing against fire, protective clothing against biological agents, boots, shoes, gloves, helmets, goggles, welding screens, masks and respirators, breathing equipment…

8.2.2. RULES AND TIPS FOR WORK ENVIRONMENTS.

  • Ensure cables are retracted to avoid falls. They should not be 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 computers from the wall to avoid overheating.
  • Ensure plugs and appliances are grounded.
  • Have an adequate fire prevention system. Include extinguishers and exit signs.
  • Air conditioning should be placed at the exits to avoid drafts, and not near radiators. Maintain a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius in winter and 24 degrees Celsius in summer.
  • Loud noises can make it difficult to concentrate. Noise levels should not exceed 55 decibels. Try to make the office a quiet place.
  • Consider the psychosocial factor at work. Work procedures should be clear, and the organization should be adequate.
  • Employees working in the assembly and repair of computer equipment should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Use natural light whenever possible. If artificial light is used, it should not cause glare.
  • Workstations should 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 should be painted in neutral tones.
  • The vibration of air conditioning machines, printers, etc., can be 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 products.

8.2.2.1. Specific Advice for Computer Users.

When working long hours in front of a screen, you can experience:

  • 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 help minimize these problems:

  • The distance between the screen and the worker’s eye should be more than 40 cm.
  • The angle between the line of sight and the horizontal to the screen should be less than 60 degrees.
  • Do not use small screens, as they can cause eye strain.
  • Adjust the contrast and brightness of the screen.
  • Do not work in darkness.
  • Avoid CRT monitors. New displays have less glare and improved contrast capabilities.
  • The position, angle, and height of the keyboard should be adjusted so that when the worker is working, their hands are as relaxed as possible.
  • Choose a comfortable mouse. It should not be too big or too small.
  • Maintain a proper posture when working at 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 adjustable.
  • Chairs are very important. We recommend using an adjustable, ergonomic, and comfortable chair for the worker.

8.2.3. CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS.

  • Incorrect use of facilities, materials, or tools.
  • Workplace hazards.
  • Physical environment hazards.
  • Lack of rules for preventing accidents.
  • Incorrect or inadequate rules. This can also include a lack of control by superiors or a lack of accountability by the worker.
  • Lack of training or knowledge by the worker.
  • Physical or mental incapacity of the worker.
  • Machine wear.
  • Machinery not following the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Job-related hazards.
  • Use of defective machinery.
  • Lack of attention by staff.

8.2.4. Order and Cleanliness.

  • Ensure materials are placed in their correct locations.
  • Ensure materials are not contaminated.
  • Ensure disposable materials are deposited in proper containers after use.
  • Ensure emergency exits are not blocked.
  • Ensure adequate lighting.
  • Ensure the workplace is clean.
  • Ensure workplace signaling is clear and visible.
  • Ensure workers are aware of cleanliness and order.

8.3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

8.3.1. Environmental Protection: Electronic Waste.

8.3.2. Standards for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Computing.

  • Use the fewest possible pieces of equipment.
  • Turn off equipment not in use.
  • Optimize equipment.
  • Use energy-saving techniques. Do not use standby mode unless necessary. Screen savers consume more energy.
  • Disconnect peripherals. Printers and other peripherals should be disconnected at the end of the day.
  • Buy low-energy equipment. Buy equipment that is 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) consumes less than an old Pentium 4 (115 watts).
  • Close unused applications and turn off the monitor when not needed.
  • Do not use old PCs as servers. Older PCs consume more energy.
  • Use functional teams.
  • Connecting one USB device to the network consumes less energy than multiple devices.
  • Use PC networks.
  • Use equipment that switches off automatically. Using software programmers or automatically shutting down the computer can be a very economical and convenient solution.

8.3.4. RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

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

Recycling these products is essential to eliminate these dangerous components and recycle other components for reuse. Depending on the component being used, different techniques are employed. The result is the generation of recycling by-products such as plastics, metals, glass, etc.

Electronic components can be collected at collection points where any polluting product can be dropped off.

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