ANSWER KEY (Part B – Unit IV)
CLASS X - IT [Subject Code : 402] / CLASS NOTES
PART-B / UNIT-4 /WEB APPLICATIONS AND SECURITY
Ch-23 Importance of Workplace Safety
Answer the following questions.
1. Write briefly about any three fire safety rules.
Ans : FIRE SAFETY RULES
The following fire safety rules, if implemented correctly, can prevent and reduce fire hazards:
• Carry Out a Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Employers should carry out a risk assessment at
the workplace, which can include fire prevention, fire detection and warning, and
emergency escape, and firefighting. Fire needs three elements—heat, oxygen, and fuel.
Without these elements, a fire will not start or spread. Hence, a key strategy to prevent fire
is to remove one or more of these elements. The risk assessment should include detail on
all the three elements to minimize the risk of a fire starting and/or spreading. A
fire prevention strategy should be built based on this assessment.
•Keep the Workplace Clean: A clean and tidy workplace helps prevent fire threats,
especially, if it handles a lot of flammable material. Such material should be stored in a safe
environment; away from flames. An untidy workplace results in clutter, which acts like fuel
for the fire to spread and also prevents access to exits and emergency equipment like fire
extinguishers and sprinkler systems. Also, smoking should not be allowed at the
workplace.
•Maintain Electrical Safety: A faulty wiring and malfunctioning of electrical equipment can
lead to voltage fluctuations or short circuit that can further be a reason or cause of fire
at workplace. Even defective wiring, overloaded sockets or plugs, and equipment that
are old and faulty may lead to heating of cables and equipment, which in turn can lead to
fire. Regular inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment should become a
compulsory and regular practice to prevent overheating or sparking of cables or
equipment.
2. List some of the common causes of slips and trips at workplaces.
Ans: Common causes of slips or trips are:
•Poor lighting
•Trailing cables
•Unsuitable floor coverings
•Uneven or damaged floor surfaces
•Contaminated floor surfaces due to liquid or grease
•Poor housekeeping
•Occasional spills
3.Mention some important measures that can be taken to prevent slips and falls at
workplaces.
Ans: Following are some of the ways by which one can prevent slips, trips, and falls around
the workplace:
•Keep Walking Surfaces Clean and Free of Clutter: Keeping walking surfaces clear, can
help reduce the potential for injury. An unobstructed path minimizes the risk for an
employee to trip over an object and it also reduces the chances of a spill that could lead
to a slip.
•Lighting: Proper lighting inside and outside of the workplace can help illuminate areas,
like steps or other hazards that can cause trips if they are hidden by darkness or shadows.
By installing proper lighting, one can reduce the chances of people slipping or falling.
•Signage: Using clear and well-placed signage can help call attention to potential problem
areas. A sign indicating a step, gap, uneven ground, or loose rocks will bring the
employees’ attention to the hazard and increase awareness and attentiveness. Reflective
tape can also be used to highlight such problem areas.
•Stairways/Handrails: Stairs are most popular place for falls at the workplace. To reduce
the risk of such injuries, stairwells should have handrails, be kept clear of clutter, well lit,
and free from any unsecured objects, like rugs and carpets. The first and last stair should
always be well marked.
4. Which measures should be included in the electric safety programs of
organisations?
Ans: Following measures should be included in the electric safety programs of organisations:
•Electrical installations should be done and maintained by a competent person and
checked regularly.
•Extension cables, plugs, sockets, and other flexible leads and their connections that
are particularly prone to damage should be visually checked, maintained, and where
necessary, replaced before using any equipment.
•Correct cable connectors or couplers should be used to join cables together; taped joints
should not be allowed.
•Socket outlets should not be overloaded by the use of adaptors.
•Electrically powered equipment should be used.
5. What is the primary goal of first aid? What should the training of a first-aid
program include?
Ans: First aid is the emergency care given immediately to an injured person. It is given to
minimise injury and future disability. In serious cases, first aid may be necessary to keep the
affected person alive. The overall goals of first aid are to:
•keep the victim alive.
•prevent the victim’s condition from worsening.
•keep the victim awake until help arrives.
The training of a first-aid program includes:
•The first few minutes after an accident or emergency are extremely important. In a lot of
cases, the recovery of the victims and their lives depend on the first-aid provided at the
scene of the accident. In such a situation, a person who is trained in first-aid can stop the
condition of the affected person from becoming worse and even save lives.
•Prompt, properly administered first aid care can mean the difference between life and
death, rapid versus prolonged recovery, and temporary versus permanent disability.
•We have seen that it is important to have qualified first-aiders at the workplace. There are
nationally accredited training courses as well as certain other equivalent courses available
to empower people to become qualified first-aiders. Only employees trained in first aid
should assist a victim. As part of their emergency training, employees should know how
to respond during an injury or illness situation, while not causing any further damage.
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