A+, Network+, Security+ Exams in a Nutshell

Safety and Environmental Issues

This section is not covered in Exam 220–603.

As a computer technician, you must be aware of safety and environmental issues related to installation and maintenance of computers and their peripherals. This section covers some important aspects of safety and environmental protection.

Safety and Environment Issues

This discusses identification of safety hazards at the workplace and explains standard procedures to create a safe working environment.

Identifying potential safety hazards

A hazard is something that can potentially cause physical harm or injury and that can directly affect the employees (such as exposure to dangerous chemicals), or can affect the environment in general such as waste materials used in the organization. Organizations need to ensure that all hazards, physical or environmental, are identified and appropriate measures are taken to reduce the risks associated with hazardous materials used in the workplace.

In busy workplaces such as an organization using hundreds of computers, a loose and trailing cable, exposed electrical wiring or a slippery surface can all be potential safety hazards. It is important to identify any potential safety hazards. A risk assessment must be done to evaluate the hazards. Identification of hazards requires that you are able to distinguish between the following:

• Hazards in the workplace, such as its layout.

• Hazards associated with activities of the employees.

• Hazards that cause harm to the environment.

Most hazards ...