Safety Considerations

1. Safety Considerations

2. High voltage MAINS VOLTAGEis potentially lethal quite small currents can kill! HIGH POWERED TRANSMITTERS also have lethal voltages inside High current POWER SUPPLIES can cause burns or start fires even at low voltages BATTERIEScan also supply enough current to make wires red hot Repairs Repairs should only be undertaken by a suitably qualified technician Rings and watches must be removed before dealing with high voltages and currents One hand should be kept in a pocket to avoid current passing through the chest <<<===>>>

3. Mains plugs & earths THE MAINS EARTH is intended to protect you under fault conditions PROTECTIVE MULTIPLE EARTHING(PME) A FUSE of the right rating fitted in a plug is a vital part of the protection system. A correctly wired plug You are not expected to be able fit a plug until It is useful to be able the Intermediate exam. to recognise when it is safely fitted with the correctly rated fuse installed. Accidents & Emergencies Switch off the mains supply before touching they may have suffered an electric The casualty! shock and could still be touching a live wire! <<<===>>> reproduced from the RSGB publication 'Foundation Licence Now!'

4. Antennas & feeders ANTENNAS must be: Located where they can't be reached and won't be walked into Fixed securely enough to survive gale force wind conditions Far enough away to avoid contact with overhead power lines from the RSGB publication 'Intermediate Licence Building on the Foundation' FEEDERS must be: Routed to avoid being trip hazards Out of reach if unscreened to avoid RF BURNS even if they are insulated! from the RSGB publication 'Intermediate Licence Building on the Foundation' from the RSGB publication 'Intermediate Licence Building on the Foundation' WORKING AT HEIGHTS Erecting antennas must never be attempted alone At least one adult should be in attendance preferably two One person should “foot” the ladder to prevent it slipping The ladder should be placed at the correct angle 4:1 Hard hats should be worn by people on the ground <<<===>>> Never lean out when on a ladder! from the RSGB publication 'Amateur Radio Exam Secrets'

5. Car batteries Are designed to supply very high currents sufficient to melt heavy gauge wires! Charging them causes the release of hydrogen which can be explosive in an enclosed space! They also contain a very corrosive acid spills and splashes can cause serious injury and damage! Consider using the safer sealed batteries instead Headphones Wearing headphones carries risk: Long periods of high listening levels can in time result in permanenthearing loss When servicing equipment could lead to electric shock If you walk away with them on equipment could be dragged off the work surface <<<===>>>

6. Other hazards The shack can contain a number of other potential risks: Tools often have very sharp edges causing cuts Soldering irons get very hot and can cause severe burns Most tools can cause injury when used incorrectly Cables trailing onto and across the floor are trip hazards Cables running under carpets can become fire hazards from the RSGB publication “Foundation Licence Now!” Remember - most hazards can be avoided by thinking and planning ahead <<<===>>>

7. Revision questions What colour is the neutral wire in a mains plug green/yellow, blue or brown? from the RSGB publication “Foundation Licence Now!” Why must unscreened feeder be out of reach? RF burns are possible even if wires are insulated. from the RSGB publication 'Amateur Radio Exam Secrets' What's wrong here? The person footing the ladder could be in danger of serious head injury if something is dropped from the top of the ladder. Hard hat is essential! <<<===>>>