Hazards of Collecting Samples

Micro-insult is a term that means exposure to small or supposedly insignificant amounts of a harmful chemical, such as one inhalation of a few parts per million of butadiene or one drop of benzene on the skin. Do this often enough and they add up. Management supplies you with the required personal protection to protect you from skin contact and inhalation. The law requires that technicians must use the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided in a responsible manner to prevent immediate and future injuries or illnesses. 

Use safety equipment (face shield, oxygen mask, glasses, gloves, etc.) whenever required. 

Check the surrounding area for a. source of ignition before sampling. Many flammable vapors are heavier than air and will move along the ground to an ignition source some distance away. 

When sampling liquids, leave approximately a 20 percent vapor space above the liquid in the sample container to allow for thermal expansion. 

Keep complete control of the sample flow when sampling. 

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