Safety Procedures/ Managing ESD( Comptia Objective 4.4)

Question 1

What is super important to remember about Power?

Answer 1

!!!!WARNING!!!!

• Power is dangerous.
• Remove all power sources before working
• Don’t touch ANYTHING if you aren’t sure.
• Replace entire power supply units. Don’t repair internal components.
• High voltage(Power supplies, displays, laser printers) be careful around these types of machines.

Question 2

What are some extremely important things to know about equipment grounding?

Answer 2

• Most computer products connect to a ground to divert any electrical faults away from people and into that ground
• Also applies to equipment racks which will have a large ground wire.
• Don’t ever remove the ground connection of a device it’s there to protect you.
• NEVER CONNECT YOURSELF TO AN ELECTRICAL GROUND!!! This is not a way to prevent ESD.

Question 3

What are some examples of toxic waste that you may have to dispose of while working as a IT technician and how do you safely dispose of it in a pro environmental way?

Answer 3

• Batteries including those inside Uninterruptable Power Supplies.
• Dispose at your local hazardous waste facility.
• CRT’s Cathode ray tubes - there’s a few of those left.
• Glass contains lead
• Dispose at your local hazardous waste facility.

Toner

• Recycle and reuse
• Many printer manufacturers provide a return box.
• Some office supply companies will provide a discount for each cartridge.

Question 4

What are some important things to know about Mobile Device Disposal?

Answer 4

• Before disposing always WIPE YOUR DATA if possible( This isn’t always an option)
• Manufacturer or phone service provider may have a recycling program or an upgrade program.
• Dispose at a local hazardous waste facility( Do not throw in the trash)

Question 5

For your own personal safety what are some best practices to uphold?

Answer 5

• Remove jewelry and name badge neck straps( Or use breakaway lanyards)

Lifting technique
- Lift with your legs, keep your back straight.

Don’t -

• Carry overweight items.
• You can get equipment to lift

Electrical fire safety

• Don’t use water or foam( for obvious reasons)
• Use Carbon Dioxide, FM-200 or other chemicals
• Remove the power source.
• In terms of Cable management avoid trip hazards and use cable ties or velcro to tuck cables out of the way.
• Use Safety googles.
  Useful when working with chemicals when performing a printer repair or handling toner or batteries.
• Air filter mask( Dusty Computers, Printer Toner)

Question 6

What are some examples of Local government regulations that you will have to follow?

Answer 6

• Health and safety laws. Vary widely depending on your location
• Building codes. Such as the ones for fire prevention and electrical codes.
• Environmental Regulation to ensure high tech waste is disposed of safely and properly.

Question 7

What is electromagnetic discharge?

Answer 7

• Static electricity is electricity that doesn’t move.
• Static electricity isn’t harmful to computers it’s just the discharge that is.
• ESD(ElectroStaticDischarge) can be very damaging to computer components. Silicon is very sensitive to high voltages.
• If you have felt ESD it will be roughly 3500 volts of discharge felt. It only takes 100 volts or less to cause damage.

Question 8

How can we go about controlling ESD?

Answer 8

• Humidity over 60% helps control ESD. It won’t prevent all possible ESD however and keeping an air conditioned room at 60% humidity isn’t very practical.
• You can use your hand to self-ground equaling the electrical static potential between you and the device you’re working on by putting your hand on the outside of a exposed case and only then working within the device once grounded.
• You will want to make sure you unplug the power connection. Always a good idea. Really.
• NEVER CONNECT YOURSELF TO AN ELECTRICAL GROUND!!
• Try not to touch components directly. Handle by card edges only.

Question 9

How can we go about preventing static discharge?

Answer 9

• Anti-static strap( Connect your wrist to a metal part of the computer.)
• Anti-static pad( A workspace for the computer)
• Ant-Static mat( A mat for standing or sitting)
• Anti-static bag( Safely move or ship components)