Safety First!

 

When working with fiber there are a few rules that MUST always be remembered and practiced.  I repeat, these rules Must always be remembered and practiced at all times when working with fiber optics.

 

                                          

Rule #1:  Safety Glasses

 

• Safety glasses MUST be worn at all times during the fiber optic lab exercises or anytime termination or splicing work is performed on a fiber cable.  The biggest hazard when working with fiber optics are small, sharp shards of the fiber produced when stripping or cleaving the cable!!! 

 

• If you notice at any time a classmate or instructor not wearing safety glasses in the area where fiber is being cut, stripped, or cleaved, you must immediately tell the person to put on their glasses and tell the instructor.

 

Rule #2:  Glass Fiber Shards

 

• Be very careful when disposing of fiber ends.  Use a Disposable Fiber Trash Bin (Fiber Disposal Unit =FDU) to hold small bits of glass until they can properly disposed of in the trash.  For safety, remember to cover the holes on top of the FDU before storing your bin (unit) in your tool kits (box).

 

• If you don’t have a FDU to use when working in some environments, then carefully make a container, like a half empty water bottle or soda can, before using.  This helps to prevent accidents.  There was a story told in class once of someone accidentally drink fiber shards from a water bottle.   (Click here to read this story.)  Make time to mark the container in some meaningful way with markers or tape.  This will prevent someone from accidentally drinking fiber shards.

 

• The glass fiber creates slivers or shards that can easily cause injury to the eyes or create glass splinters in fingers or hands that are difficult to see to remove from skin, which can become infected if not completely removed.  Always keep a disposable fiber trash bin nearby for all fiber scraps.  Develop the habit of picking up scraps from the work surface and the floor too.  You may know a glass shard is dropped or lost and can take care, but another person like a co-worker or cleaning crew may come along and not be aware that fiber was being worked in the area.

 

• Scotch tape can be used to pick up small shards of fiber.   Fold the scotch tape around the glass shards before disposing in the trash can.  This helps to keep others, like members of the cleaning crew, from becoming hurt accidentally.

 

• Always wear safety glasses when working with optical fibers.

 

Rule #3:  Black Paper

 

• Black paper or other dark colored paper or fabric can be used to give a dark colored work surface.  This helps make the fiber more visible when working with it.  It has the side benefit of allowing the fiber cores to be more easily seen,  especially when you have a run away shard.

 

Rule #4:  Chemicals

• When doing fiber work epoxy, anaerobic adhesive (?), and isopropyl alcohol will be used.   The isopropyl alcohol is flammable.  (Anything else flammable as well?) Take extra care when handling these substances.  It is best to develop the habit of watching for bits of epoxy on your tools or work surface and cleaning it with the alcohol.  Develop the habit of wiping all tools frequently with a fiber free cloth or wipe and alcohol. 

 

• Keep in mind that epoxy is not removable from clothing!

 

 

Rule #5:  Skin Oils

 

• Do not touch bare fibers with fingers.  The oil from your skin can weaken the fiber over time.  It tends to make the glass fiber brittle.

 

Rule #6:  Hot ovens & terminators

 

• Terminators removed from the curing ovens will be EXTREMELY HOT!  Use caution when touching hot terminators.  Small amounts of alcohol on a fiber free wipe may be used to help cool the terminator more quickly.
• After the terminator is removed from the oven, the exposed fiber is dangerous and more brittle.  Take great care to ensure the glass rod does not break, pierce the skin, or get into the eyes of you or any other person.

 

Rule #7:  The Mystery Rule