Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
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INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Grade code: 1.1.1.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.1.LI.3
Theme: AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
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In Ghana, from the bustling streets of Accra with its trotros and taxis to the farms in the Ashanti Region relying on tractors, vehicles are essential to our daily lives. The people who fix these vehicles, our skilled mechanics or "fitters," do a very important job. However, their workshop can be a dangerous place if care is not taken. An engine has hot parts, flammable fluids like petrol, and heavy components. Understanding and practicing safety is the number one skill for any good technician. It protects the technician, the customer, the vehicle, and the business. This lesson is the foundation for all the practical skills you will learn in Automotive Technology.
This topic is built around one central idea: Safety First, Always! Before you pick up a spanner, before you open a bonnet, you must think about safety. We can break this down into four key areas. Category 1: Personal Safety (Protecting Yourself)
This is about keeping your own body safe from harm. You are the most important tool in the workshop. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is special clothing and equipment you wear to protect yourself. Safety Goggles/Glasses: Protects your eyes from splashing fluids (battery acid, fuel, hot coolant) and flying debris. Overalls/Boiler Suit: A one-piece suit that protects your clothes and skin from oil, grease, and dirt. It has no loose parts that can get caught in moving engine parts like belts and fans. Safety Boots: These have reinforced steel toecaps to protect your feet if a heavy object (like a cylinder head) falls on them. They also have anti-slip soles to prevent falls on oily floors. Gloves: Protects your hands from cuts, burns, and harmful chemicals. Use thick gloves for handling rough parts and nitrile/latex gloves for handling fluids. Proper Attire & Conduct: No Loose Clothing: Avoid wearing baggy shirts or traditional attire like "abogda" in the workshop as they can easily get caught in a spinning fan or belt, causing serious injury. No Jewellery: Remove rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Metal jewellery can conduct electricity, causing shocks or burns if it touches a battery terminal. It can also get caught on parts. Tie Back Long Hair: If you have long hair or braids, tie them up securely. Be Alert: Always be aware of your surroundings. Do not run or play in the workshop. Category 2: Workshop Safety (Protecting Your Environment)
This is about keeping the entire workshop area safe for everyone. A clean and organised workshop is a safe workshop. Housekeeping (Cleanliness): Spills: Clean up any oil, fuel, or coolant spills immediately. They are slipping hazards. Use sand, sawdust, or special absorbent granules to soak up the spill before sweeping it up. Organisation: Keep walkways clear of tools, parts, and wires. A tidy space prevents trips and falls. Return tools to their proper place after use. Fire Safety: The Fire Triangle: Fire needs three things to start: Heat (like a spark or hot exhaust), Fuel (like petrol, oil, or diesel), and Oxygen (in the air). Removing any one of these will stop a fire. Fire Extinguishers: Know where they are and how to use them. The PASS method is common: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side. No Smoking: Absolutely no smoking or open flames are allowed in the workshop due to flammable vapours from fuel. Ventilation: Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. Always run engines in a well-ventilated area or use an exhaust extraction hose to pipe the fumes outside. Lifting Equipment: Jacks and Axle Stands: Use a hydraulic or trolley jack to lift the vehicle, but NEVER work under a car supported only by a jack. Jacks can fail. Once the car is lifted, place strong axle stands (also called support stands) under a solid part of the car's frame for support. Category 3: Vehicle Safety (Protecting the Customer's Property)
This is about preventing damage to the car you are working on. Disconnect the Battery: Before working on the electrical system or fuel system, always disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the battery first. This prevents accidental short circuits, which can damage electronic components or cause sparks that could ignite fuel fumes. Protect the Finish: Use fender covers to protect the car's paint from scratches and spills. Use seat and floor covers to keep the interior clean. Working on Engine Systems: Cooling System: The cooling system is under pressure when hot. NEVER open the radiator cap on a hot engine. Hot, pressurized steam and coolant will erupt and cause severe burns. Let the engine cool down completely first. Fuel System: Petrol is highly flammable. When working on fuel lines or the fuel tank, ensure there are no sparks or sources of ignition nearby. Work in a well-ventilated area. Have a Class B fire extinguisher ready. Category 4: Customer Safety (Protecting the Owner after the Repair)