Health & Safety

Music Tech || MT CA5 - Multitrack Recording

What is a hazard?

Something that can cause harm.

What is a risk?

The chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm.

What hazards are there when using a DAW?

• Exposure to noise, computer display, workstation desk

• Tripping: cables and wires & electrical equipment.

What associated risks are there with…

• Exposure to noise?

• Computer display?

• Workstation desk?

• Tripping cables and wires?

• Electrical equipment?

• Exposure to noise: hearing loss (short/long term)

• Computer display: eye strain (short/long term)

• Workstation desk: back pain (short/long term)

• Tripping cables and wires: sprains and breaks

• Electrical equipment: electrocution

Explain the hazard of the exposure to noise.

• Headphones are far more fatiguing on our ears because of their proximity to them.

• This means that you are far more likely to develop hearing loss from listening to loud music on headphones.

• When exposed to loud noise for a long period of time, our ears physically close up.

• This means that we will not be hearing what we think we are.

• Therefore, it is likely that we will make incorrect mix decisions.

What control measures could you put in place to reduce the risk of exposure to noise causing harm in the recording studio?

1. Watch your volumes, wear ear plugs.

2. Listen to music at a volume that you do not have to raise your voice to talk over.

3. The safe recommended decibel listening level is between 50 - 80dB.

4. Regular listening breaks should be taken.

What control measures could you put in place to reduce the risk of the computer display causing harm in the recording studio?

1. Take regular breaks.

2. Setting the display brightness at an appropriate level for the room.

3. Using a blue light filter.

What control measures could you put in place to reduce the risk of the workstation desk causing harm in the recording studio?

1. Have the desk and chair at the correct height.

2. Use ergonomic keyboard/mouse.

3. Use an ergonomic chair.

What control measures could you put in place to reduce the risk of tripping on cables and wires causing harm in the recording studio?

1. Coil excess cable, run cables together.

2. Avoid walking over cables.

3. Run cables along the floor and close to stands.

4. Have a cable tie system for storing cables.

5. When using external equipment do not overstretch cables.

What control measures could you put in place to reduce the risk of electrical equipment causing harm in the recording studio?

1. Make sure cables aren’t frayed, don’t touch live cables or sockets.

2. Ensure equipment is safe to use (P.A.T/E.E.T).

3. Allow for adequate airflow between equipment so it does not

   overheat.

What is P.A.T/E.E.T ?

A process that checks for electrical defaults that could cause the equipment to malfunction.

What is a control measure?

Solutions to hazards.