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A-1 Performs safety-related functions
Cabinetmakers work safely at all times to prevent injuries, keep the workplace healthy and avoid damage to tools, equipment and materials.
Sub-tasks
- A-1.01 Maintains safe work environment
- A-1.02 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
Performs safety-related functions
Keeping the work environment safe and using PPE and safety equipment. Safe practice prevents injury, keeps the workplace healthy and protects tools, equipment and materials.
Key points
- Safe work methods prevent injury, keep the work environment healthy, and prevent damage to tools, equipment and materials.
- Environmental hazards listed: excessive dust, fumes, spills.
- Hazardous materials listed: finishing materials, used rags, chemicals, adhesives. They are handled, stored and disposed of according to environmental regulations.
- Ventilation for finishing must meet both jurisdictional safety regulations and environmental regulations.
- Hazards, incidents and accidents are identified and reported according to jurisdictional safety regulations.
- PPE is selected according to the task and adjusted for proper fit. Worn or damaged PPE is replaced.
- Documents listed include safety data sheets (SDS), OH&S regulations and manufacturers' specifications of tools and supplies.
- Regulatory knowledge includes WHMIS requirements, workers' rights and responsibilities, and OH&S requirements.
Overview
Cabinetmakers use safe work methods at all times. The goal is twofold: to prevent injury and keep the work environment healthy, and to avoid damaging tools, equipment and materials. Task A-1 has two sub-tasks: keeping the work environment safe (A-1.01), and using personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment (A-1.02).
A-1.01 Maintains safe work environment
What you do
- Keep the work area clean and organized so that workers and others are at less risk.
- Assess the work area for hazards continuously, so that hazards are identified and accidents are prevented.
- Use safety measures against environmental hazards (per environmental regulations) and against other hazards (per jurisdictional safety regulations).
- Identify and report hazards, incidents and accidents according to jurisdictional safety regulations, so that safety concerns get resolved.
- Comply with safety policies.
- Handle, store and dispose of hazardous materials according to environmental regulations.
- Make sure there is ventilation for finishing, following both jurisdictional safety regulations and environmental regulations.
- Use compressed air according to jurisdictional safety regulations.
What you need to know
- Housekeeping practices, potential hazards and environmental hazards, and the safety measures that go with each.
- Company safety policies and procedures.
- Where safety documents are kept, and what they contain and are used for.
- Emergency procedures and where the safety equipment is located.
- Disposal and recycling procedures for hazardous materials.
- Regulatory requirements: WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), workers' rights and responsibilities, training requirements, electrical, fire and safety regulations, and OH&S requirements for the work area.
- Procedures to maintain a safe work environment, to ventilate for finishing and to use compressed air.
Range of variables
| Category | Includes |
|---|---|
| Hazards | slippery surfaces, uneven loads, flying debris, tripping hazards, heavy lifting, sharp cutting tools |
| Environmental hazards | excessive dust, fumes, spills |
| Safety policies | Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations, employer and installation site policies |
| Hazardous materials | finishing materials, used rags, chemicals, adhesives |
| Documents | safety data sheets (SDS), OH&S regulations, manufacturers' specifications of tools and supplies, safety meeting documents |
| Emergency procedures | evacuation, fire drills, first aid procedures, lock-down drills |
| Safety equipment | eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, WHMIS binder, personal protective equipment (PPE) |
A-1.02 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
What you do
- Choose PPE to suit the task.
- Recognize PPE that is worn or damaged, and replace it.
- Comply with PPE regulations (per jurisdictional safety regulations).
- Store and maintain PPE according to jurisdictional safety regulations.
- Adjust PPE until it fits properly.
- Locate safety equipment according to jurisdictional safety regulations.
What you need to know
- Types of PPE and safety equipment, and what they are like and used for.
- Company safety policies and procedures, where documents are located, emergency procedures and where safety equipment is.
- Health hazards linked to handling materials and supplies.
- Regulatory requirements: WHMIS, workers' rights and responsibilities, training requirements for PPE and safety equipment, OH&S requirements.
- Procedures to use and maintain PPE and safety equipment, and their maintenance schedules and certification requirements.
Range of variables
| Category | Includes |
|---|---|
| PPE | respiratory equipment, ear protection, hand protection, eye protection, safety footwear, hard hats, fall protection, vest, coveralls/aprons |
| PPE regulations | OH&S, employer and installation site policies |
| Safety equipment | first aid stations, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, evacuation kits, defibrillator kits, blow horns |
| Documents | safety data sheets (SDS), OH&S regulations, manufacturers' specifications of tools and supplies |
| Emergency procedures | evacuation, fire drills |
Source: Red Seal Occupational Standard – Cabinetmaker, Task A-1 (pp. 30–33).
In the study app
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Glossary terms for this task
Reference articles for this task
- Hazards, PPE and safety equipment
- Workplace health and safety programs in New Brunswick (WorkSafeNB)
- Lockout in New Brunswick (WorkSafeNB)
- Woodworking machine safety (CCOHS fact sheets)
- New Brunswick General Regulation 91-191: what applies in a cabinet shop
- WHMIS in New Brunswick (Regulation 2016-6)
Sources cited on this page
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Cabinetmaker, Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) (2021 (Cat. No. Em15-3/37-2022E-PDF, ISBN 978-0-660-44580-9)). Where: Task A-1, pp. 30–33.