Safety and health

Health and safety law requires institutions to provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to health. Where appropriate, training and information on safe working practices must be provided. Students and staff must take reasonable care to ensure the health and safety of themselves and of others, and must not misuse any safety equipment. 

Risk- Is often associated With the quantity gf chemical to be used, e.g there is a much greater risk when using a, large vplume of flammable solvent than a few millilitres, even though hQ gid i tHesame.  

All practical work must be carried out with safety in mind, to minimize the risk of harm to yourself and to others - safety is everyone s responsibility by law. 

The most widespread approach to safe working practice involves the use of risk assessment, which aims to establish  

The intrinsic chemical and physical hazards, together with any maximum exposure limits (MELs) or occupational exposure standards (OESs), where appropriate. All chemical manufacturers provide data sheets listing the hazards associated with particular chemical compounds. 

Some fillers are hazardous materials and require special handling and processing. Below are listed some fillers that are used or can readily be used in composite materials, classified according to the principal characteristics accepted in the industry. The indexes mean no hazard, 0 slight hazard, 1 moderate, 2 severe, 3 extreme hazard, 4. Storage area codes general, orange special, blue hazardous, red. 

As one can see, listed fillers are generally considered as reasonably safe, except where indicated. 

Apparently, none of WPC manufacturers adds calcium carbonate as a filler in then-products. LDl Composites, which use Biodac that consists of about 25% CaC03 and 25% of kaolin (clay), also did not use individual minerals as fillers. Nevertheless, there are many publications, mainly by suppliers of minerals and university researchers, describing benefits of calcium carbonate in WPCs. 

COMPOSITION OF WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITES MINERAL FILLERS 

Specific gravity (density) of calcium carbonate is typically 21-29 %/cva , Mohs hardness 3-4. The linear coefficient of thermal expansion of CaCOs is from 2 to 6 X 10 1/F, which is about 10-20 times lower than that of HOPE. Hence, HOPE filled with CaC03 typically has proportionately lower value of the coefficient of expansion. Particles of calcium carbonate have irregular shapes. Particle sizes of commercial CaC03 vary for different brands from 0.2 to 30 pm. Precipitated CaC03 can have smaller particles, such as down to 0.02 pm. Oil absorption is between 13 and 21 g/100 g. Specific surface area is between 5 and 24 mVg ([1], p.48). 

Reputable manufacturers and suppliers of resins, matrices and reinforcements provide extensive advice on storing materials and health hazards that may be associated with their products. Further advice and information can be obtained from  

Since PTT is a new commercial product, the Shell Chemical Company, as the company which first introduced it to the market, took the responsibility of product stewardship [112], and registered the polymer on the chemical inventory lists in several countties. As a high-molecular-weight polymer, PTT is biologically inactive and requhes safe handling like many other commercial polymers. 

Applications of 1,3-propanediol, presentation given at the CHEMSPEC Asia 91 conference, Tokyo, Japan, June 24-25, 1991, Specialty Chemicals Production, Marketing and Application. 

Breitkopf, N., Dambkes, G. and Bach, H., US Patent 5 008 473 (to Rulu chemie Aktiengesellschaft), 1991. 

Donald, E. and Valle, F., World Patent W099 28 480 (to E.I. du Pont Nemours and Company and Genecore International, Inc.), 1999. 

R D Plans and Product Design of Hi-Tech Textiles, Taiwan Fiber Industry Association, Taipei, 52-66, 1999. 

and Bray, R. G., 1,3-Propanediol and Polytrimethylene Terephthalate, Process Economics Program Report 227, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 1999. 

All members of staff are have a general responsibility in health and safety legislation but R D management have specific responsibilities. 

Bakery products are not inherently dangerous but the following points should be made some bakery products are cooked at high temperatures, e.g. 230°C, which is hotter than most forms of cookery even if it not a high temperature by chemical standards. 

Precautions must be taken to prevent contact between people and hot equipment or products. There is a particular risk with concentrated sugar-containing syrups or jam as they not only have a high boiling point but they are by nature sticky and a splash will tend to adhere. 

Clearly, precautions should be taken to prevent burns and to deal with any that occur. In the event of a burn either plunging the afflicted area into water or holding it under running water is the best first aid. A sensible precaution is to make sure that either running water or a suitable container of water is always available. 

The Army has stated that while it is destroying the stockpile, its primary concern is the protection of the health and safety of the workers, the public, and the environment. After the Army conducted operational verification tests at the Johnston Atoll facility from 1990 through 1993, independent oversight contractors, for both EPA and the Army, concluded in their reports that the baseline incineration equipment generally operated safely and within environmental rules and regulations. 

EPA has testified that the Army s current disposal program fully complies with or surpasses EPA requirements for environmental and public health protection. The incinerator at the Army s Johnston Atoll facility is 

One problem the Johnston Atoll facility did experience was some schedule slippage because of maintenance downtime. This was due to technical and mechanical problems with various equipment and the need for more training of certain personnel. These problems did not affect the Army s ability to destroy or decontaminate chemical weapons within EPA s standards—-just the rate at which destruction occurred. 

Recently, two alterations to the baseline incineration process have been considered, charcoal filter beds or a hold, test, and release system. In February 1994, NRC recommended the study of activated charcoal filter beds as an addition to the baseline incineration process. The Army and EPA also endorse the addition of charcoal filter beds to baseline incineration because it would further eliminate the risk of toxic air 

The use of dispensing equipment can help to minimise the risk of operators coming into direct contact with the adhesives and thus improve the health and safety at the workstations. Correctly specified equipment will ensure that the optimum quantity of adhesive is dispensed on to the component parts thus improving the overall quality and minimising the possibility of excess adhesive on the part. 

Most dispensing equipment will be required to meet the latest European standards including the mark. The letters CE are the abbreviation of French phrase 

CE Marking essentially means that the product is safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, including duration, and does not present any risk or only the minimum risks compatible with the product s use. The adhesive itself is unlikely to have CE Marking becanse the final use of the adhesive is outside the control of the adhesive mannfactnrer. 

Aqueous dispersions of fluoropolymers are in general neutral to moderately alkaline, with the exception of certain coatings for metals that are strongly acidic. Some additives in the aqueous phase of the dispersion may irritate eyes or skin. Therefore, it is advisable to use protective garments, goggles, or a facial shield. If the liquid comes in contact with skin, the affected spot must be flushed with water immediately. If the liquid comes in contact with the eyes, they must be flushed immediately and medical help provided as soon as possible. 

When aqueous dispersions are processed at elevated temperatures, particularly above the melting point of the dispersed polymer, the same health and safety precautions must be taken as when corresponding resins in solid form are processed (see Chapter 10). 

Teflon PTFE, Dispersion Properties and Processing Techniques, Bulletin No. X50G, E. I. du Pont de Nemours Co., Wilmington, DE, Publication E-55541-2, p. 2. 

Hyflon D 5010X, Technical Information, MFA Dispersion for Impregnation, Solvay Solexis, 2006. 

Risk - the likelihood that a substance might be harmful under specific circumstances. 

There are several aspects of science which are fundamental to sugar confectionery. They are discussed here. 

Sugar confectionery products keep well compared with most other food products. Their long life ensues because spoilage organisms cannot grow, and the reason that they cannot grow is because the moisture content is too low. 

The relevant parameter is not only the water content but also the water activity. Water activity is a thermodynamic concept which accounts for the fact that materials containing different water contents do not behave in the same way, either chemically or biologically. It reflects the ability of the water to be used in chemical or biological reactions, and it is the concentration corrected for the differences in the ability of the water to undertake chemical reactions. If a non-volatile solute is dissolved in water then the vapour pressure decreases in a specific way for a perfect mixture. A thermodynamically ideal substance always has an activity of unity. 

Originally, water activity could not be measured directly. One method was to measure the weight loss of a product held at a range of controlled relative humidities, which also has the effect of holding the product over a range of water activities. If a product is held at its own water activity it neither gains nor loses weight, and this point is described as its equilibrium water activity. 

The is term is normally abbreviated to ERH. The ERH can be deduced by extrapolating the weight loss data over a range of water activities for values greater and less than those actually measured for the product. Where the two lines intersect lies the water activity of the product. This extremely tedious and time-consuming method has largely been superseded by instruments that measure the water activity directly. The ERH still has practical importance since it is an indication of the conditions under which the product can be stored without deterioration. 

The situation may cause serious damage to the personnel at a site to the extent of a single fatality. 

The consequence severity category = 2 Overall frequency (as estimated before) = C The estimated SIL (from Table 4.20) = 2 

---

Chemical processes will in the future need to be designed as part of a sustainable industrial development which retains the capacity of ecosystems to support industrial activity and life. This book therefore places a high emphasis on waste minimization and energy efficiency in the context of good economic performance and good health and safety practices. 

Decommissioning is often a complex and risky operation. The five key considerations are the potential impact on the environment, potential impact on human health and safety, technical feasibility, costs of the plan, and public acceptability. 

Under the New Approach Member States shall not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market or putting into service of products which comply with the directives and bear the CE-marking. Member States have also the obligation to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the products placed on the market do not endanger the health and safety of persons. 

There is a role in regulatoiy law and a role for government action. But these roles should be predominantly concerned not with detailed prescription for innumerable day to day circumstances but with influencing attitudes and creating a framework for better health and safety organisation and action by industry itself ... 

Few of the naturally occurring elements have significant amounts of radioactive isotopes, but there are many artificially produced radioactive species. Mass spectrometry can measure both radioactive and nonradioactive isotope ratios, but there are health and safety issues for the radioactive ones. However, modem isotope instmments are becoming so sensitive that only very small amounts of sample are needed. Where radioactive isotopes are a serious issue, the radioactive hazards can be minimized by using special inlet systems and ion pumps in place of rotary pumps for maintaining a vacuum. For example, mass spectrometry is now used in the analysis of Pu/ Pu ratios. 

Health and Safety Factors. The following toxicides for acetonitrile have been reported oral LD q (lats), 3030—6500 mg/kg skin LD q (rabbits), 3884—7850 mg/kg and inhalation LC q (i ts), 7500—17,000 ppm (29). Humans can detect the odor of acetonitrile at 40 ppm. Exposure for 4 h at up to 80 ppm has not produced adverse effects. However, exposure for 4 h at 160 ppm results in reddening of the face and some temporary bronchial tightness. 

Health and Safety Factors. The following toxicities have been reported for cyanoacetic acid oral LD q (rat) 1500 mg/kg subcutaneous LD q (rabbit), 1900 mg/kg and subcutaneous LD q (frog) 1300 mg/kg (29). Eor ethyl cyanoacetate the following toxicities have been reported interperitoneal LD q (mice), 750 mg/kg subcutaneous LD q (rabbits), 1500 mg/kg and subcutaneous LD q (frogs), 4000 mg/kg. 

Health and Safety Factors. See "General Health and Safety Eactors." The foUowing toxicides for 2-pentenenitrile have been reported dermal, LD q (rabbit) >200 mg/kg oral LD q (rat) 450 mg/kg 4-hr Inhalation LC q (rats) 740 ppm (29). 

N. Balchin and H. Castner, Health and Safety in Welding and Allied Processes, 4th ed., McGraw-HiU Book Co., Inc., New York, 1993. 

Specifications, Standards, Quality Control, and Health and Safety Factors. APA-The Engineered Wood Association represents the softwood plywood and oriented strandboard industries in the areas of specification, standards, and quaHty control (QC). An APA product standard, PSl-95 (6), discusses the above areas in detail. The following listing summarizes plywood characteristics covered in PSl-95. 

Specifications, Standards, Quality Control, and Health and Safety Factors. Formerly, there was an Insulation Board Institute representing the insulation board industry, but the decline in the market and number of producers has led to its demise. Currently (ca 1997), the industry is represented by the American Hardboard Association (AHA). Specifications and standards are found in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for CellulosicFiberboard (7). The standard includes descriptions of the various types and classes of ftberboard, as well as requirements for physical and dimensional stabiUty properties. QuaUty control tests are limited to a few basic strength and stabiUty tests, including bending strength, bond strength, and moisture resistance. 

Specifications, Standards, Quality Control, and Health and Safety Factors. The hardboard industry is represented by the American Hardboard Association (AHA). Specifications and standards are contained in several ANSI standards (8—11). These standards define the various hardboard product categories as well as specific product qualities required for each group. 

The health and safety issues outlined herein for particleboard also apply to MDE. A special note should be made of the fact that, because the MDF raw material is of dry fiber base, there exists in MDF a large component of very small, broken, dust-like wood fibers. These contribute to the dust concerns in the manufacturing areas, requiring exceUent dust-control systems, good housekeeping, and personal protection. 

Specifications, Standards, Quality Control and Health and Safety Aspects. The OSB industry is represented by the APA—The... 

Health and safety concerns in the stmctural composite lumber industry are similar to those in the other composite industries. Special care is required in worker awareness, worker protection equipment, dust and vapor control, and general housekeeping. 

Health and Safety Factors. Although butynediol is stable, violent reactions can take place in the presence of certain contaminants, particularly at elevated temperatures. In the presence of certain heavy metal salts, such as mercuric chloride, dry butynediol can decompose violently. Heating with strongly alkaline materials should be avoided. 

Health and Safety Factors. Butanediol is much less toxic than its unsaturated analogs. It is neither a primary skin irritant nor a sensitizer. Because of its low vapor pressure, there is ordinarily no inhalation problem. As with all chemicals, unnecessary exposure should be avoided. The LD q for white rats is 1.55 g/kg. 

Health and Safety Factors. Butyrolactone is neither a skin irritant nor a sensiti2er however, it is judged to be a severe eye irritant in white rabbits. The acute oral LD q is 1.5 ml,/kg for white rats or guinea pigs. Subacute oral feeding studies were carried out with rats and with dogs. At levels up... 

---