Year 8 Lesson: Workshop Safety and Brazing Risk Management

Curriculum Links

ACTDEK031: Investigate the ways in which products, services and environments evolve locally, regionally and globally and how competing factors including social, ethical and sustainability considerations are prioritised in the development of technologies and designed solutions for preferred futures.

ACTDEK032: Analyse how people in design and technologies occupations consider ethical and sustainability factors to design and produce products, services and environments.

ACTDEP037: Select and justify choices of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to effectively and safely make designed solutions.

Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework: Cultural Responsiveness Standard - Staff embed Aboriginal cultural knowledge, such as traditional safety practices in tool handling and resource management, to demonstrate respect for community values and environmental stewardship.

Cross-Curriculum Priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures - Students explore traditional Indigenous safety protocols in crafting and how they inform modern workshop practices.

Reading: Workshop Safety and Brazing Risk Management

Workshop safety is paramount in any design and technologies environment, especially when working with processes like brazing. Brazing is a metal-joining technique that uses a filler metal with a melting point above 450°C but below the base metal's melting point, allowing strong joints without melting the workpieces. This method is widely used in artistic metalwork, such as creating sculptures or jewelry, but it comes with significant risks that must be managed.

In a workshop, personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential. This includes safety glasses to protect eyes from sparks, gloves to handle hot materials, and aprons to shield clothing from burns. For brazing, additional gear like tinted goggles and respirators are crucial to guard against ultraviolet radiation and fumes. Indigenous Australian cultures have long emphasized safety in tool use, with traditional practices involving careful handling of stone and wood tools to prevent injury, often guided by community knowledge and respect for the environment. These principles can inform modern workshops by promoting mindful risk assessment.

Risk management involves identifying hazards, such as fire from torches, toxic fumes from flux, and sharp edges on metal. Students should conduct risk assessments before starting, ensuring ventilation to disperse fumes and having fire extinguishers nearby. In Aboriginal communities, safety was embedded in storytelling, teaching young people to respect tools as extensions of the land. Today, integrating these values encourages sustainable practices, like using non-toxic fluxes. Brazing requires precise control to avoid overheating, which can weaken joints or cause burns. Training in proper torch handling and emergency procedures is vital.

Common accidents include burns from hot metal, eye damage from light, and respiratory issues from inhaling gases. To mitigate these, workshops should have clear signage, first aid kits, and regular inspections. Drawing from Indigenous frameworks, safety is about harmony with the environment, ensuring no harm to people or land. By following these guidelines, students can safely explore metalwork, creating meaningful pieces while honoring cultural legacies. This approach not only prevents injuries but also fosters respect for traditional knowledge in contemporary settings. (Word count: 452)

Spelling Bank

Here are 20 words from the reading for spelling practice (click to hear the word and a longer sentence with context and meaning):

Example Sentences

  1. The word workshop means a room or building where goods are manufactured or repaired. In the context of the lesson, a workshop is where students practice brazing, requiring strict safety measures.
  2. The word safety means the condition of being protected from harm. In the lesson, safety is emphasized to prevent accidents during metalwork activities.
  3. The word brazing means a metal-joining process using filler metal. In the reading, brazing is highlighted for its risks and the need for proper risk management.
  4. The word paramount means more important than anything else. In the context, paramount importance is given to workshop safety to ensure student well-being.
  5. The word filler means a substance used to fill gaps. In the lesson, filler metal is used in brazing to join pieces without melting the base.
  6. The word melting means changing from solid to liquid by heat. In the reading, melting points are key to understanding brazing techniques.
  7. The word protective means intended to protect someone or something. In the context, protective equipment like gloves is essential for brazing.
  8. The word gloves means coverings for the hands. In the lesson, gloves protect against burns from hot metal.
  9. The word respirators means devices worn to protect from inhaling harmful substances. In the reading, respirators guard against brazing fumes.
  10. The word hazards means sources of danger. In the context, hazards like fire must be identified in workshops.
  11. The word ventilation means the provision of fresh air. In the lesson, ventilation disperses toxic fumes during brazing.
  12. The word extinguishers means devices for putting out fires. In the reading, extinguishers are necessary near brazing areas.
  13. The word assessment means evaluation of risks. In the context, risk assessment is conducted before brazing.
  14. The word ultraviolet means radiation beyond violet in the spectrum. In the lesson, ultraviolet light from torches requires tinted goggles.
  15. The word respiratory means relating to breathing. In the reading, respiratory issues can arise from inhaling gases.
  16. The word mitigate means to make less severe. In the context, measures mitigate brazing risks.
  17. The word signage means signs providing information. In the lesson, signage indicates safety rules in workshops.
  18. The word harmony means agreement or concord. In the reading, harmony with the environment is part of Indigenous safety practices.
  19. The word fosters means encourages development. In the context, safety fosters respect for cultural legacies.
  20. The word legacies means things handed down from the past. In the lesson, cultural legacies inform modern safety protocols.
Fill in the Blanks (Using words from the reading)
1. Workshop __________ is paramount in design and technologies.
✔✘ Attempts remaining: 2
2. Brazing uses a __________ metal to join pieces.
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3. PPE includes safety glasses and __________.
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4. __________ are needed to guard against fumes.
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5. Risk __________ identifies hazards before starting.
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6. Good __________ disperses toxic fumes.
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7. Indigenous __________ prevailed despite challenges.
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Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is brazing?
Attempts remaining: 2
2. What PPE is essential for eyes in brazing?
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3. What hazard is from torches?
Attempts remaining: 2
4. What protects against inhaling gases?
Attempts remaining: 2
5. Indigenous safety is embedded in?
Attempts remaining: 2
6. What is needed for fire safety?
Attempts remaining: 2
7. Safety promotes __________ with the environment.
Attempts remaining: 2
Correct: 0
Wrong: 0
Resit test to get 100%

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