Hazards consciousness

In a world increasingly conscious of the dangers of contact with chemicals, a process that is conducted within the walls of a vacuum chamber, such as the VDP process for parylene coatings, offers great advantages. Provided the vacuum pump exhaust is appropriately vented and suitable caution is observed in cleaning out the cold trap (trace products of the pyrolysis, which may possibly be dangerous, would collect here), the VDP parylene process has an inherently low potential for operator contact with hazardous chemicals. 

In the past ten years laboratory workers have become increasingly conscious of safety in the laboratory environment. We have therefore in three places in Chapter 1 (pp. 3 and 33, and bibliography p. 52) stressed more strongly the importance of safety in the laboratory. Also, where possible, in Chapters 3 and 4 we draw attention to the dangers involved with the manipulation of some hazardous substances. 

Insurers are aware of the importance of a management that, at all levels, is fully conscious of the fire and other hazards within its premises and consequently acts in a highly responsible way. An opinion of the standard of management is an important part of the insurance surveyor s report referred to earlier, and is obtained by observation of conditions in the premises and a scrutiny of the organization and systems that are in operation. 

Clear liquid with an odor that is a mixture of alcohol and ammonia. This material is hazardous through inhalation and ingestion, and produces local skin/eye impacts. Inhalation of the agent may cause irritation of the lower respiratory tract, coughing, difficulty in breathing and, in high concentration, loss of consciousness. It causes severe irritation in contact with the skin and eyes. If ingested it causes nausea, salivation, and severe irritation of the mouth and stomach. 

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