Safety Procedures and Policies

🌐 Safety Procedures and Policies.

🔐 Best Practices for Technician Safety (aka “Alive technician = happy network”)

1. Protect against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) – Wear an ESD strap when handling components.
2. Always power off the system before touching internal parts – otherwise you might become the short circuit.
3. Liquids + electronics = toxic combo – Keep your coffee on the table, not on the motherboard ☕
4. Using ladders? Use the buddy system. Better to work in pairs than to fall solo.
5. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is essential – Gloves and goggles whenever required.
6. Know the location of fire extinguishers – and also what kind to use for different types of fires.

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📒 Emergency Procedures & Fire Suppression

🚨 Emergency Procedures

• First thing: Always know the emergency exit routes – there’s a fire escape map near every entrance/lobby. Check it once, it might save your life!
• Exit signs glow red/green – usually battery-powered. Follow their direction when escaping.
• Help those around you – teamwork = safer exit.

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🧯 Fire Suppression Systems – Levels & Types

1. 🔥 Building Level
   • Active protection: Sprinklers, fire extinguishers
   • Passive protection: Fire-rated walls, ceilings, floors – to slow the fire down
   • Goal: Protect the entire building and its people.
2. 🔥 Room Level
   • Needs at least 2 trigger points for the fire suppression system to activate.
   • Data centers usually use gas-based systems instead of water (because: electronics!)
   • Example gases: FM-200 – absorbs heat, leaves no residue, non-toxic = safe for servers.
3. 🔥 Rack Level
   • Fire is detected inside the rack → triggers targeted suppression.
   • Minimizes damage and reset costs.
   • Fastest response system – since fires often start small here.

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🛑 Extra Fire-Safety Tech Checklist:

• 🚨 Emergency Alert System (EAS)
  • Default: Sirens + flashing lights
  • Can include text, email, voice alerts (especially in high-security setups)
• 🧯 Class C Fire Extinguisher
  • For electrical fires only – remember “Class C”.
  • NEVER use water-based extinguishers on electronics – risk of explosion 💥
• ⛔ Emergency Power-Off Switch (EPO)
  • Only press in extreme emergencies.
  • Sudden shutdown = possible data loss → safe shutdown is always better.

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📢 Note 1-15 (Special Trivia!)

• The US national EAS can only be activated by the President – within 10 minutes in a national emergency.
• State/local versions are used for AMBER alerts, weather warnings, etc.

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📒 Fail Open vs Fail Close & SDS

🧠 Flashback: First time I heard “fail open/close”, I thought it was about doors… now I know it’s all about risk management.

🔓 Fail-Open (Fail-Safe)

• If the system fails, it allows access.
• Goal: Human safety > Data security
• Examples:
  • In a fire, building doors unlock so people can escape.
  • Firefighters can enter without barriers.
  • Some risk (unauthorized entry), but lives come first.

🔒 Fail-Close (Fail-Secure)

• If the system fails, it denies access.
• Goal: Security > Convenience
• Examples:
  • Data center doors stay locked even if power is out.
  • Manual override keys available (e.g., for firefighters).
  • Firewalls for sensitive data also fail-close – access is cut off until restored.

🧠 Note to self:

• Public web servers may use fail-open (for access continuity)
• Financial records = always fail-close
• Failure behavior depends on the criticality of the system.

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⚡️ Bonus: Electrical Circuit Analogy

• “Open” = broken circuit = no power = safety
• Circuit breaker trips = like a fail-close to protect from overload.

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📝 Summary Table:

Situation	Fail Open Example	Fail Close Example
Fire in building	Exit doors unlock	Data center stays locked
Firewall (public site)	Traffic allowed	N/A
Firewall (sensitive DB)	N/A	All access denied
Electric lock + power outage	Door unlocks	Door stays locked

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🧴 SDS – Safety Data Sheet (formerly MSDS)

🧠 Flashback: Cleaning solution got in my eye once – checked the SDS and realized how important it is!

📌 What is SDS?

• Comes with or available for every chemical product.
• Tells you:
  • Chemical properties
  • Safe usage instructions
  • First aid steps in case of contact
  • Disposal guidelines
  • Firefighting info
  • Handling and storage rules

⚠️ Cleaning chemicals (like those for tapes/discs):

• Can be flammable or toxic
• Always use gloves + goggles
• Read the SDS before use, or download from the manufacturer’s site (e.g., ehs.com)

📢 Future-Me Reminder:

• Ignoring SDS in labs or server rooms = big mistake
• “Don’t use anything you wouldn’t want on your skin, eyes, or lungs!”

✅ Quick SDS Checklist:

• 🔍 SDS file easy to find?
• 👓 Wearing PPE (gloves, goggles)?
• 🧯 Know fail-open/fail-close behavior?
• 🔌 Understand access rules during power failure?

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📒 Safety Precautions

🧠 Flashback: I worked inside a rack without turning off the power… realized then that PPE and lockout aren’t just formalities — they’re survival rules!

👷‍♂️ OSHA – The Boss of Workplace Safety

• Website: osha.gov
• Federal agency ensuring workplace health & safety
• Working near electrical panels/devices? First:
  • Turn OFF the device
  • Apply a lockout so no one accidentally turns it back ON

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🔌 Electrical/Power Tools – Golden Rules

✅ Always wear PPE

• 👓 Eye protection if there’s dust/fumes
• 🧤 Gloves for grip/safety
• 👂 Hearing protection for noisy environments

✅ Check your tools before use

• Look for cracks, frayed wires, loose parts
• Damaged tool = unsafe → don’t use

✅ Use the right tool for the right job

• Follow the instruction manual
• Don’t use tools you haven’t been trained on
• Unauthorized use = unsafe use

✅ Trip Hazards = Silent Killers

• Don’t leave cords scattered on the floor
• Never leave tools unattended
• Keep walking paths clear – your feet shouldn’t trip on anything!

🧾 Checklist Recap:

• ⚡️ Power lockout done before working? ✅
• 🧤 PPE worn? ✅
• 🧰 Tools in good condition? ✅
• 📚 Instructions followed? ✅
• 🚫 Trip hazards removed? ✅

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🧍‍♂️ Lifting Heavy Objects — “Back pain ≠ badge of honor”

📦 Safe Lifting Rules (or your back will pay!):

• ✅ Plan your lift – know which side is best
• ✅ Stand close, feet shoulder-width apart
• ✅ Keep your back straight, bend knees, grab the load
• ✅ Lift using legs, arms, shoulders — NOT your back!
• ✅ Keep the load close to your body, avoid twisting
• ✅ Bend knees again when placing it down, back stays straight
• 🆘 Feels too heavy? Ask for help. Don’t be a hero.

🛒 Pro tip: Use a cart. Printers are meant to roll, not lift!

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⚡️ Protecting Against Static Electricity — “Fried the motherboard… didn’t even feel it 😱”

💥 What’s the deal with static?

• Static = built-up charge
• Just 10 volts can cause damage (you don’t even feel it!)
• A human touch can release up to 1,500 volts

🔥 2 types of damage:

• Catastrophic: Entire component dies
• Upset failure: Silent errors, reduced lifespan

🛑 To avoid ESD:

• 👨‍🔧 Wear an ESD strap (clip to chassis, strap to wrist)
• ⚠️ No strap? Frequently touch the case’s metal part
• 📦 Store components inside antistatic bags (not just on top)
• 🔌 Always shut down + unplug the computer before opening
• 🧩 Know which parts are field-replaceable vs. need to be sent back

📎 Note: Grounding = the third prong on a plug → routes to earth = safe path for stray current.