Health, Safety and Security at Workplace
Source-based revision notes for CBSE Class 10 IT (402), prepared from the uploaded NCERT Domestic Data Entry Operator — Class X (2023–24) PDF.
✍️ Read • Revise • RecallSource check: Chapter 13 begins on PDF page 223; Check Your Progress appears on PDF pages 233–234. Content and terminology are kept aligned with the uploaded source.
Chapter Focus
Health, Safety and Security at Workplace focuses on creating a safe workplace, protecting employees, identifying hazards and applying control measures.
Health
The textbook defines employee health as physical, mental and social well-being. Workplace cleanliness, proper air conditioning, filtered water, fresh food and clean washrooms are highlighted.
Safety
The workplace should be free from hazards and risk. A hazard can cause harm, while risk is the probability of causing harm. Safety guidelines should be prepared, followed and practised regularly.
Security
Security means freedom from potential harm. The security department is responsible for areas such as personal safety, computer system safety, electrical safety, transport safety and equipment safety.
Policies and Procedures
A health, safety and security policy is a written statement of an employer's commitment. Organisations should identify hazards and specify control measures.
Reasons for Policies
Policies show commitment to employee health and safety, outline accountability, support compliance with Occupational Health and Safety policy, and help prevent injuries and illness.
Workplace Safety Hazards
The chapter discusses biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic and safety hazards. Physical hazards can arise from the physical work environment.
Physical Hazards
Falls, slips, unsafe surfaces, machinery and electricity can create physical hazards. Spills should be cleaned immediately, lighting should be adequate and damaged equipment should be repaired.
Electrical Hazards
Electrical accidents can involve live wires, conductors, exposed or worn-out wiring, overloaded outlets, ungrounded/faulty equipment and unsafe use. Keep water and food away from electrical equipment.
Fire Hazards
Fire safety requires proper housekeeping, emergency systems and awareness of exits, escape routes, fire extinguishers and alarms.
Health Hazards
Workplace hazards can affect body parts and systems. Noise may affect hearing; bright lights and toxic fumes/vapours may affect eyes and nose; harmful chemicals may affect lungs.
Computer Hazards
Poor sitting posture, prolonged sitting, repetitive movements and screen glare can cause pain, strain, muscle fatigue and eye problems. Regular stretching can help mitigate these hazards.
Office Equipment
Improper handling of office equipment can cause injuries such as cuts from sharp-edged equipment. Proper training and relevant manuals are recommended.
Handling Objects
Heavy objects should be lifted or moved using approved procedures and proper posture.
Stress at Work
Long working hours and aggressive conflicts or arguments can create stress. Conflict resolution and relaxing hobbies are suggested in the textbook.
Working Environment
Poor ventilation, inappropriate chair/table height, hard furniture, poor lighting, lack of emergency awareness and poor housekeeping can be hazards. Physical or emotional intimidation is also mentioned.
Hazard Control
Control measures follow a hierarchy: eliminate the hazard where possible; if not, isolate it; if neither is possible, minimise the likelihood of injury using effective controls such as exhaust ventilation and PPE.
📌 Must Remember
- Store cleaning chemicals in tightly closed containers in separate cupboards.
- Throw garbage daily and make sure areas have proper lighting.
- Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery while working with machines.
- Where required, wear protective items such as goggles, safety glasses, masks, gloves and hair nets.
- Shut down machines before leaving.
- Do not play with electrical controls or switches.
- Do not operate machines/equipment until properly trained and allowed by the supervisor.
- Repair torn wires or broken plugs before use.
- Do not use equipment if it smokes, sparks or looks unsafe.
- Cover food, follow No Smoking areas and report unsafe conditions or acts to the supervisor.
The chapter's Check Your Progress directly asks about workplace safety, health, hazards, IT workplace hazards and safety guidelines.
⚡ CHAPTER 13 — LAST MINUTE REVISION
- Health = physical, mental and social well-being.
- Safety = workplace free from hazards and risk.
- Security = freedom from potential harm.
- Security department areas include personal safety, computer system safety, electrical safety, transport safety and equipment safety.
- Common hazard classifications in the chapter include biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic and safety hazards.
- Electrical hazards include direct contact with live wires and indirect contact through a conductor.
- Computer hazards include poor sitting posture, excessive duration of sitting, repetitive movement and screen glare.
- Hazard control: eliminate at source → isolate → minimise likelihood of injury with effective controls.
- Safety checklist: chemicals, garbage, lighting, clothing/jewellery, protective items, machines, electrical controls, training, wires/plugs and reporting unsafe conditions.
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