Health and Safety Policy

Mission Statement

The Fix It Group 23 is committed to providing a safe repair cafe event.

This Health and Safety Policy demonstrates our commitment to our volunteers and visitors.

You should also refer to our Disclaimer T&C’s and this should be signed and dated before any repair work is conducted.

Health and Safety Officers

The nominated Health and Safety Officers for The Fix It Group 23 are John Fitzgerald and Paul Worth. To contact our nominated Health and Safety Officers please email thefixitgroup23@gmail.com.

The Set-up

Extension leads must be taped to the floor (where possible) and kept out of the flow of foot traffic.

Check with the hosts of the event before soldering. Ventilation is an issue in some venues.

Hosts or the designated safety volunteer will locate and draw your attention to fire extinguishers and fire exits. If you miss this announcement, please inform yourself.

A first aider will be identified as such when present.

Risk Assessment

For each event, a risk assessment should be made of the event setup and equipment being used.

If any portable equipment is to be used, it should be visually inspected and PAT tested where applicable. If in doubt, TEST!

The Basics

Children must be accompanied at all times by their guardians and kept an appropriate distance from chemicals, soldering and dangerous tools.

When using blades or sharp instruments, always cut away from your body; we recommend you use gloves.

Be mindful when opening a device or using any force, as bits may go flying (into someone's eye). If this is a risk, ask for eye protection and/or move away from others.

Careful with drinks! Do not consume spillable drinks at repair tables.

Electricity

If you have any doubts or questions, find the host who will call over a designated safety volunteer.

All mains-operated devices must be PAT tested before you start a repair and on completion.

We do not repair a component of a device unless we are able to safety test the full device on the spot.

Only repair mains equipment if you are competent to do so. To plug in a mains appliance, use an RCD or a dedicated mains isolating transformer. Use insulated tools.

Beware of stored high voltage in capacitors, even a very long time after a device has been disconnected from the mains. Always test if they are charged with a voltmeter. If they are charged, and you are not experienced in discharging them, do not progress with the repair.

Put the device back together before testing it under mains power. If you have to test the device while it is both plugged into the power network and dismantled, only do so with a second competent person present.

If you smell burning, immediately unplug the power plug and then assess the problem with our designated safety volunteer.

Beware of rechargeable batteries. If shorted or abused, they can be toxic and a fire risk.

We usually do not repair power tools or high-wattage electricals. We can make exceptions, but hosts will assign them to experienced/qualified volunteers. If in doubt, ask a host.

For any old electrical device, always check that the wiring in the mains plug is to good standards.

If a device has been shorting out electrical circuits, connect the device only after being certain you have found and corrected the problem.

Using cans and chemicals

Keep them away from any flame or direct sunlight.

Do not spray flammable or volatile liquid on a live circuit or close to a soldering iron.

Keep chemicals such as solvents far away from other people, especially children.

Insurance

The Fix it Group 23 is covered by a Combined Liability Insurance Policy with Ansvar Insurance, Policy Number ACY 2413189.