OHS Policies and Procedures
Learning Objectives:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
1. Identify the basic precautions and procedures in planning, preparing,
installing, and testing of hardware and software.
2. Determine the effects of computers to the people, health risk and to the
environment
During installation and initial test, careful planning and preparation are
to be done to avoid personal injury and damages to wiring due to sharp pins on
connectors and printed circuit assemblies, rough chassis edges and corners,
and hot components.
Adhere to warnings and limitations regarding accessibility into areas
designated only for authorized technical personnel.
Some Basic Precautions and Procedures:
Before starting the installation, read carefully the documentation and
procedures on any hardware and software settings that may be required.
Failure to do the proper jumper setting may cause damage to your CPU.
Without an effective cooling fan, the CPU can overheat and cause
damage to both CPU and motherboard.
Each bank must have the same size and type of memory installed.
Before adding and removing any other system components, make sure
that you unplug your power supply. Failure to do so may cause damage
to your motherboard and in the system component.
Test the computer, insuring that it meets the necessary system
requirements before booting up.
If the computer does not pass any of the power on self-test (POST), the
computer will receive an irregular POST. An irregular POST is a beep
code which is different from the standard beep which can either be no
beeps at all or combination of different beeps.
Some effects of computers relating to the violation of privacy, the impact on
the labor force, health risks, and the impact on the environment.
1. Violation of Privacy
Nearly every life event is stored in a computer. It is crucial that the
personal and confidential records be protected properly. In many instances,
where these records were not properly protected, individuals have found their
privacy violated.
2. Impact on Labor Force
Although computers have improved productivity in many ways and created
an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of
millions of workers and manager have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is
crucial that workers keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the
labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries
instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.
3. Health risks
Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to injuries or disorders of the
hand, wrists, elbows, eyes, necks, and back. Computer users can protect
themselves from these health risks through proper workplace design, good
posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Another
health risk, called computer addiction, occurs when someone becomes
obsessed with using the computer.
4. Public Safety
Adults, teen, and children around the world are using computers to share
publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information.
Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to
crimes committed by dangerous strangers. Protect yourself from these
criminals by being cautious.
5. Impact on Environment
Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting
natural resources and polluting the environment. The amount of resources
required to manufacture a PC equals that of a mid-sized car. When computers
are discarded in landfills, they release toxic materials and potentially
dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants. Strategies that can
help protect the environment include recycling, regulating manufacturing
processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately donating replaced
computers
