Physical Safety (Cambridge International IGCSE ICT)
Exam board Cambridge International · IGCSEUpdated 2024-06-12
Physical Safety
What is physical safety?
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Physical safety is creating a safe environment when using technology
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It includes considering dangers that could lead to serious injury or loss of life
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Identifying strategies to mitigate dangers
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Safety risks include:
- Electrocution from spilling drinks near electrical equipment
- Fire hazard from overloading plug sockets
- Equipment overheating
- Trailing cables (trip hazard)
- Heavy equipment falling and causing injury
| Risk | Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Electrocution | - Spilling drinks near electrical equipment | - Keep liquids away from electrical equipment |
| - Touching live cables | - Ensure that cables are properly insulated and protected - Use non-conductive materials where possible - Ensure that electrical equipment is turned off and unplugged before cleaning or maintenance - Use circuit breakers or fuses to prevent electrical overload | |
| Fire hazards | - Sockets being overloaded | - Use surge protectors to prevent electrical overload - Ensure enough plug sockets in the room - Don’t plug too many devices into the same plug socket - Don’t leave devices plugged in and unattended |
| - Equipment overheating | - Ensure that equipment is properly ventilated and not obstructed - Keep flammable materials away from heat sources - Regularly check equipment for signs of wear or damage - Use fire extinguishers in case of emergencies - Turn off or unplug devices when away from the location - Do not cover any air vents on devices | |
| Trip hazard | - Cables not properly secured or organised | - Use cable ties or clips to secure cables - Keep cables away from areas where people are walking - Secure cables where you can, like under desks to stop protruding into open areas - Use cable covers to protect cables and prevent tripping hazards - Regularly inspect cables for signs of wear or damage - Where possible use wireless devices to reduce cables |
| Personal safety | Improperly secured equipment | - Ensure that equipment is properly secured and stable - Regularly check the stability of locations containing devices |
| Equipment not placed on stable surfaces | - Keep equipment away from edges and other potential hazards - Regularly inspect equipment and locations containing devices for signs of wear or damage |
Worked Example Using computers can lead to several physical safety issues.
Describe four of these types of issues.
[4]
Answer
Final answer: Electrocution, caused by touching bare wires / allowing food and drink to spill liquids onto computers [1] Falling objects can cause injury [1] Tripping over loose cables can cause injury [1] The fire is caused by overloading power sockets / overheating computers [1]
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