Operator exposure equipment safety

Specialized equipment can minimize exposure to the hazards of laboratory operations. Impact resistant safety glasses are basic equipment and should be worn at all times. They may be supplemented by face shields or goggles for particular operations, such as pouring corrosive liquids. Because skin contact with chemicals can lead to skin irritation or sensitization or, through absorption, to effects on internal organs, protective gloves are often needed. 

As in any process that uses cheniicals and electronic and mechanical equipment, a concerted safety effort is required in plasma etching. Proper shielding of reactors and power supplies to minimize operator exposure to rf radiation is imperative. An exposure level below 1 mW/cm has been suggested as a safe operating point (150). 

Equipment design, operating procedures, and operator training often address environmental, health, and safety constraints. Eliminating fugitive emissions, removing workers from potential chemical exposure, and ensuring that flammable concentrations never occur are just a few of the approaches used. 

Employees working in the area where EB equipment is operating must be monitored for exposure to ionizing (mainly x-ray) radiation with film badges that detect and quantify any exposure to stray radiation. Employers must train workers thoroughly in the operation of the equipment and proper safety and hygiene, and must keep records of exposure of their personnel to ionizing radiation. 

Clearly, the various manufacturer-installed safety switches and devices must not be tampered with. Never look into the shutter of the X-ray tube or even at the sample when the equipment is operating. Never attempt to reach inside the X-ray generator or to investigate problems with the electronic circuit panel. As pointed out by Moore Reynolds (1997) and King Alexander (1974), two of the standard procedural handbooks for XRD, many of the early workers with X-rays were severely injured or died from radiation exposure. Protective devices and failsafe equipment designs cannot insure complete elimination of risk of exposure, particularly if specified routines are not followed or if untrained personnel try to use the equipment. 

Supervisors must have received training in COSHH appreciation, principles of demolition and general site safety. Operatives must be trained in the operation of the machinery and equipment used, and in demolition techniques. They will be briefed on the results of relevant assessments, including noise exposure. This also applies to specialist subcontractors. 

During the plant design the safety of process equipment is also recognized by layout. The objectives of layout are to minimize risk to personnel, to minimize escalation (both within the plant and to adjacent plants), and to ensure adequate emergency access. It is also essential to ensure adequate access for maintenance and operations. Plant layout is a crucial factor in the safety of a process plant because of e.g. segregation of different risks, containment of accidents and limitation of exposure. Safe plant layout is designed on the basis of design... 

As a basis for the determination of risk it must be assumed that the colorants are properly handled and applied. It is not appropriate to estimate risk primarily on the basis of exposure values obtained under improper working conditions, or where appropriate plant and equipment are not available. Ensuring satisfactory operating conditions and training of operatives to handle products correctly is essential nowadays for technological success as well as for health and safety requirements. In this way, exposure levels can be kept below the threshold of unacceptable risk. It is reasonable to accept that for practical purposes levels of exposure exist below which the risk becomes trivial [67]. 

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