Modding 101: The Basics - Safety Precautions and Materials

(Page 4 of 5 )



Safety Precautions and Materials

Even as you’re happily maxing out your credit card, buying all of the above mentioned tools and making drilling and grinding sounds at the cash register, don’t forget about safety materials. These are in your best interest to have at hand at all times and to not forge ahead into a project without taking the necessary precautions. Your mod is not more impressive because it cost you sight out of one eye or missing digits.

Respirators, dust masks, and ventilation
A dust mask is very important for all the sanding and grinding on metal that you will be doing. Metal particles are best left outside of your body and not inhaled. The particles, over time, can cause severe damage to your respiratory system and cause plenty of breathing problems. Dust masks however provide NO protection from the harmful vapors encountered during painting or handling some materials.

When painting or working with harmful chemicals like acid-etching compounds or various cleansers, protect yourself with a respirator. A respirator provides a two fold protection: the first layer filters out large particles while the second layer of a filter protects you from vapors and mists. A respirator is a significantly greater protection than a dust mask and should be used in place of one when possible. However, a respirator is not a replacement for a properly ventilated work area as harmful vapors can build up and, in concentrated amounts, still cause serious damage.

The most common effects of using harmful chemicals and products without a respirator or in an improperly ventilated area are brain damage and or death.

Protective eyewear
Protective eyewear is crucial in any work area to protect your most valuable asset from being damaged. Cutting metals or plastics often cause debris particles to fly around and it doesn’t take much to have something foreign trapped in your eye. Eye injuries represent the most common, and easily avoided, workplace injury. Prescription eyewear is not protective eyewear and glasses should not be seen as “good enough”. Inevitably the protective eyewear will get scratched and damaged and it is advisable to replace them to ensure that proper vision is maintained. An inability to see what you’re doing not only results in bad work but also in missing digits or limbs.

Next: Safety Continued >>
 

More Computer Cases Articles
More By Remco Degooyer

Comments On: Modding 101: The Basics

· Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think of the article.    · I think the writer is very able but overlooks that a part of his Readers may not...   >>> Post your comment now!

Recommended by Dev Hardware