The link below takes to a letter published in Chemical Engineering News about lab safety, experience about lab safety in the college. Lab safety may be followed to a great extent in developed countries, but my personal experience during my college days is that we were never told about hazards, safety procedures, precautions to be taken in the laboratory. Now, I feel how I went through those days and what could have happened if I did something wrong.
As a safety professional, now I feel that college laboratories should have documented safety programme and should be monitored for implementation. Students should know about properties, hazards, material safety data sheets, procedures for storage-handling-disposal, emergency procedures, proper use of PPE, etc.
When we take chemicals in to a bottle or container, we should ensure that the bottle was used previously for the same chemical or better use only cleaned bottles. Otherwise, it is likely that we will be adding a chemical to the bottle that contains or was used for a chemical that is not compatible and a runaway reaction may take place leading to rupture of bottle, splashing of chemicals, hit with glass splinters, etc.
We should use proper bottle holder to move the bottles instead of holding the bottle at its lid or neck which may lead to fall of the bottles.
When chemical splashes, we should remove the contaminated cloth and wash thoroughly for atleast 15 minutes immediately and consult doctor for further treatment. There were reports in which a student received HF splash on her lab coat. Instead of removing the coat, she washed the splashed portion of the coat with some water and continued her work. She was found dead in her apartment later. The reason listed was that though the contaminated coat was washed, the vapors continued to emanate from her coat which she did not notice but inhaled and this caused edema. Chemicals like HF, phosgene, etc exhibit delayed effects causing respiratory problems and eventually lead to death.
Studies show that even after 15 minutes of thorough wash, only about 95% of the splashed chemical can be washed. Hence, prominent display of 'wash for atleast 15 minutes' should be displayed in the lab and near the emergency shower/eye wash fountain or the rack containing eye wash bottles.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i44/Lab-Safety-UCLA-Accident.html
Nov 10, 2012
Nov 9, 2012
About HF spill in Gumi City - updates in Chemical World
The report in the following link gives some important information about leakage of eight tonnes of HF. The police stated that workers did not follow safety procedures for unloading to save some time. The company or local government does not have slaked lime for neutralization of HF and they could get the same only after one day of the incident. The fire fighters are not aware of the chemical spilled or the hazards of HF as they came with normal fire fighting and personal protective equipment.
It is stated that as per CCTV footage seen, workers tried to transfer the HF from tanker by connecting an air hose to a valve in the tank and the white vapors at high pressure from the tank engulfed the workers. And, when firefighters sprayed the water, the spilled acid spread further.
Pressure transfer system is fraught with dangers and many incidents were reported in such transfers across the world.
The above incident is a lesson for us that
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/76-143f.pdf
It is stated that as per CCTV footage seen, workers tried to transfer the HF from tanker by connecting an air hose to a valve in the tank and the white vapors at high pressure from the tank engulfed the workers. And, when firefighters sprayed the water, the spilled acid spread further.
Pressure transfer system is fraught with dangers and many incidents were reported in such transfers across the world.
The above incident is a lesson for us that
- we should review chemical transfer methods
- carry HAZOP study to know the hazards, consequences and measures to be taken
- train the workers and supervisors about the hazards and procedures to be followed
- ensure display of procedure, material safety data sheets for the chemicals used
- provide sufficient capacity of secured collection pit for collecting neutralized acid or for collecting acid and they to do neutralization
- ensure availability of scrubbing/neutralization system for maximum credible scenario
- ensure supervision during the work, etc
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/76-143f.pdf
Nov 6, 2012
Picture This! Three Little Words Versus One Big Risk-Taker » SafetySmart
Picture This! Three Little Words Versus One Big Risk-Taker » SafetySmart
What we say is not always followed.
What we say is not always followed.
Nov 5, 2012
Two employees receive chemical burns - firm is fined
It is reported that a cleaning firm was fined after two of its employees received chemical burns in two separate incidents. The firm was fined for lack of enforcing supervision. Though there are no details about the extent of injuries or procedure followed, it appears that the accidents could have been due to (i) lack of procedure or violation of procedure, or (ii) hiring of persons without knowledge about the work, or (iii) lack of training, apart from the lack of supervision.
Training and supervision are generally the two most commonly found recommendations made by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of US in their investigation of several accidents. And, these are also statutory requirements.
We have to ensure proper selection of persons, training, job hazard analysis, safe operating procedure, do's and dont's material safety data sheets and supervision to carryout given task safely.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10845300
Training and supervision are generally the two most commonly found recommendations made by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of US in their investigation of several accidents. And, these are also statutory requirements.
We have to ensure proper selection of persons, training, job hazard analysis, safe operating procedure, do's and dont's material safety data sheets and supervision to carryout given task safely.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10845300
Oct 31, 2012
Oct 22, 2012
Gear Maintenance Key to Fall Arrest » SafetySmart
Gear Maintenance Key to Fall Arrest » SafetySmart
LINK
Accidents are more in construction industry compared to others because of large number mobile workforce as well as the need to work at heights. Unless proper arrangements are not made for secured access, guarded working areas and availability of personal protective equipment, accidents are likely. The above link provides some information about inspection and maintenance tips for fall arrest equipment.
LINK
Accidents are more in construction industry compared to others because of large number mobile workforce as well as the need to work at heights. Unless proper arrangements are not made for secured access, guarded working areas and availability of personal protective equipment, accidents are likely. The above link provides some information about inspection and maintenance tips for fall arrest equipment.
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