Safety in the Workroom

by Karen Maslowski, SewStorm Publishing

Considering the number of sharp, heavy, and hot objects in a workroom, some safety rules come naturally to us. We know not to have liquids on the sewing machine table, and we know that having an iron set up in a walkway is a dumb idea. But how often do you think of other hidden dangers, both for you and for your employees?

Do a safety check to determine what needs to be "tuned up" in your workroom. Look at the electrical outlets. Are there enough of them in the room to eliminate cords snaking all over the floor? Do some of the outlets look like octopi are springing from them? If so, get an electrician in to do a little surgery. Have him check for the proper amount of voltage, too, and make sure there's enough juice to power your heavy machines and pressing equipment without causing a fire.

Purchase surge protector strips with on/off switches and circuit breakers, and use them for pressing equipment. In case of a short the power cuts off, and when you leave the room always turn off your iron by turning off the strip.

Is there a first aid kit anywhere nearby? If you don't have one, make up a basket of some of the following items to keep handy: Bandages, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, antiseptic salve (like Neosporin) or spray, butterfly bandages for cuts, cotton balls and swabs, a bottle of clean water, and an emergency chart with lifesaving information (available at any drug store).

Make a rule that no one walks into the room without shoes. Supply safety goggles if you are working with heavy fabrics. Flying needles can cause all kinds of damage.

Make sure no one smokes in the workroom. This sounds pretty obvious, but a butt tossed in the trash with scraps can be a disaster. An easily accessible fire extinguisher, one that is checked annually, is a must. (Most fire departments can check them, and will advise you on which kind to buy.) Smoke detectors, and a clearly marked, unblocked escape route are also important to survival of a fire. An entire building can become engulfed in flames in less than two minutes, so having these preventive measures in place ahead of time can be vital.

Remember: the day you don't carry the umbrella is usually the day it rains!

More information on Business Resources offered by SewStorm Publishing

Back to CRAFTLINK Taking Care of Business

Back to CRAFTLINK Professional Panel

Back to Meet the Get Creative! Experts

[_private/Tools/textcenter.htm]