Electrical Safety
AC electrical hazards: household current (120V AC in US, 240V in Europe) can be fatal. Computer PSU can hold lethal charge even when unplugged. Never work inside a PSU — replace the entire unit. Before working on electrical equipment: power off and unplug (not just switch off — switches on computer PSUs may not fully disconnect). Allow PSU time to discharge after unplugging (capacitors hold charge briefly). CRT monitors: contain extremely high voltage (10,000–30,000 volts) even when unplugged — capacitors hold charge indefinitely. Never open a CRT. Safe disposal required. Grounding: ensures electrical faults flow safely to ground rather than through the technician. All metal equipment should be properly grounded via the three-prong power cord. Do not remove the ground pin from a power cord. Three-prong outlet: hot (black/red), neutral (white), ground (green/bare). Two-prong = no ground — unsafe for equipment.
Lifting and Ergonomics
Proper lifting technique prevents back injuries when moving heavy IT equipment (servers, UPS units, monitors). Proper lift: stand close to the object. Bend at the knees (not the waist). Keep back straight. Lift with leg muscles (not back). Hold object close to body. Avoid twisting while lifting — turn with your feet. Team lift: for heavy equipment, get help. Servers can weigh 30-80 lbs. UPS units can weigh 100+ lbs. Ergonomics for workstation users: monitor at eye level (top of screen at eye height). Arms at 90-degree angle to keyboard. Wrist rests avoid contact with edge during typing. Chair height: feet flat on floor, knees at 90 degrees. Lighting: avoid glare on the screen. Take breaks every 30-60 minutes. Repetitive stress injuries: carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive typing/mouse use. RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) prevention: ergonomic equipment, proper technique, breaks.
PPE and Hazardous Materials
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): safety equipment that protects the wearer from hazards. In IT contexts: Safety glasses/goggles: drilling in server rooms, working in confined spaces with dust. Gloves: handling sharp metal edges (server chassis), chemical handling, hot components. Hearing protection: prolonged exposure to loud cooling fans or HVAC equipment. Dust mask / N95 respirator: cleaning dusty equipment — computer dust may contain fiberglass, silica, or other particulates. Fire safety: know the location of fire extinguishers. Type C extinguisher (or ABC): for electrical fires (CO2, dry chemical, Halon substitutes — NOT water). Water extinguishers for electrical fires can cause electrocution. Hazardous materials: Toner cartridges contain fine particles — avoid inhalation. Batteries (lithium, lead-acid) contain corrosive and toxic materials. Contact with battery acid: flush with water. MSDS/SDS: Safety Data Sheets provide handling and first aid information for hazardous materials. Keep SDS documents accessible.
Cable Management and Organization
Proper cable management improves airflow, reduces hazards, and eases troubleshooting. Techniques: Cable ties (zip ties): bundle cables together neatly. Velcro straps: reusable, less damaging than zip ties for frequent changes. Cable trays: horizontal trays in rack cabinets for organized cable routing. Patch panels: terminate network cables in an organized manner — switches connect to patch panel, patch panel to specific ports. Label all cables at both ends: port number, destination, date installed. Color coding: different colored cables for different purposes (red = power, blue = network, yellow = console, etc.). Trip hazards: any cable crossing a walking area must be protected (cable covers, raceways, or routing through walls/ceiling). Proper airflow: unmanaged cables can block airflow in servers and rack cabinets, causing overheating. Route cables along the sides of racks, not across front/back where air flows.