- Wear safety glasses at all times when cleaving, stripping, or splicing fibre.
- Collect all fibre offcuts on dark tape or in a sealed sharps container.
- Never look into the end of a fibre that may be carrying laser light.
- Use a fibre identifier or power meter to check for active signals before work.
- Follow confined space entry procedures for all manhole and chamber jointing work.
- Control cable pulling tension to stay within the manufacturer bend radius limits.
- Store isopropyl alcohol away from heat sources and use in ventilated areas.
- Check for asbestos cement ducts before rodding or pulling cables into existing routes.
- Wear gloves to prevent fibre splinters embedding in fingers during handling.
- Dispose of fibre waste in sealed containers; never put it in general waste bins.
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- DON'T look directly into fibre ends or across broken fibres; laser light is invisible.
- DON'T handle cleaved fibre without safety glasses and gloves in place.
- DON'T leave fibre offcuts on work surfaces, floors, or in clothing.
- DON'T pull cables into ducts exceeding the manufacturer recommended tension limits.
- DON'T enter manholes for fibre jointing without confined space entry procedures.
- DON'T use isopropyl alcohol near ignition sources or in unventilated spaces.
- DON'T assume existing duct routes are free from asbestos; check records first.
- DON'T eat or drink in the fibre splicing area; splinters contaminate food.
- DON'T view the fusion splicer arc without the built-in protective screen.
- DON'T dispose of fibre waste in general bins; it injures waste handlers.
See also: Data and Comms Cabling Safety | Fibre Optic Cable Safety
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