OHS in Planning and

Preparing for Configuration

of Computer Systems and
Network
Occupational health and safety policies and
procedures must always be observed in
fulfilling any job requirements. One of the
requirements that requires strict
implementation and practice of OHS
procedures is configuring computer systems
and networks. Various workplaces have
diverse sets of OHS procedures that they
find it necessary to carry out the tasks
safely and efficiently.
OHS policies and procedures must be
well established and all technicians
are thoroughly aware of its contents.
Some of the common OHS policies
and procedures that must be
followed in the planning and
preparing for configuration of
computer systems and networks are
as follows:
1. OHS policies and procedures must
be discussed prior to any planning.
This can be done by the IT manager
or if the workplace has one, a safety
officer.
2. If OHS policies and procedures
has not yet been established, it may
be developed concurrently with the
planning.
3. All technicians and other
personnel involved must be well
aware of the contents of the OHS
policies and procedures. This will
serve as the guide in performing
tasks correctly and safely.
4. During the preparations,
technicians may be assigned to a
specific task depending on his
expertise to ensure competence and
safety. This will increase efficiency
and effectivity.
5. The job requirements must be
made clear so that proper tools,
equipment, and materials can be
requested beforehand. Proper
handling of tools and equipment
must also be included in the
contents of the OHS policies and
procedures.
6. Personal protective equipment
must also be readily available before
starting any actual configuration.
This will minimize if not prevent the
risk of having an injury or illness.
7. The list of computer systems and
the networking devices must be
prepared. Their technical and
physical specifications must also be
indicated so that adequate
preparations in handling them can
be done.
8. The location where the system
and network configuration will take
place must be studied to define any
hazards that are present. This is
known as hazard identification.
Some of these hazards can be
electricity, high working area and
difficult to reach places.
9. The effects that a hazard must
also be taken into consideration.
This is known as risk assessment.
10. A set of contingency plans must
be arranged in case any hazard
translated into a risk. These plans
are referred to as risk management
plans. This will ensure that proper
procedures will be done in the event
of an unwanted accident.
Preparing Computer
Systems, Tools,
Devices, Equipment
and Materials
In configuring computer systems and
networks, it is important that the
technician would know the specific
tools, devices, equipment and materials
needed before starting any activity.
Being able to prepare all the needed
things before commencing will not only
make the configuration faster, but more
efficiently as well.
In order to ensure that all that are
needed in configuration of computer
systems and networks are properly
prepared, having a checklist is
recommended. Listed below are some
of these checklists:
1) Computer System
• All integrated and external peripherals
must be installed. These peripherals are
essential to the entire operation of the
computer system.
• Ensure that an operating system is
properly running. The OS will manage the
overall processes of the computer
system.
• Application software needed for the
different activities should be installed. It
must be run and tested to ensure smooth
compatibility.
• The system drivers for all the peripherals
must also be installed. System drivers
will enable the full use of a peripheral’s
functionalities.
2) Tools and Equipment
• Tools must already be requested from
the property custodian ahead of the
scheduled configuration.
• Tools must be well inspected to ensure
that they are in good operating
condition.
• Tools that requires repair or
maintenance must be brought back to
the property custodian.
3) (Networking) Devices
• Servers must be installed if central data processing
is needed. A special operating system is needed to
be installed in order for this to function.
• Network switches must be checked so that the
appropriate LAN speed can be met. The number of
ports must also be confirmed to make sure that it
will be enough to connect all the computer
systems into a network.
• If wireless routers will be used, the range and
frequency of the signal must be checked against
the specifications of the computer systems that
will connect to it.
4) Materials
• A list of needed materials must be specified.
Materials are commonly those which are
consumed.
• The specifications of materials must be specified
to ensure that they are compatible with the
components.
• Correct quantity must be determined to avoid
running out in the duration of the configuration.
In case the exact quantity cannot be determined,
analogous estimation can be used which derives
the number from a previously completed task
with the same requirement.
Completing the checklist indicated above
may help a technician in determining if all
the components needed in the
configuration are already prepared. Having
all of these prepared will result in a hassle
free completion of the job requirement at
hand. This may also increase the efficiency
rating of all the personnel involved in the
said activity.
THANK YOU!