Protection equipment

When synthesizing a fiowsheet, the designer should consider carefully the problems associated with operation under extreme conditions. Attenuation will result in a safer plant, providing the attenuation does not increase the inventory of hazardous materials. If the inventory does not increase, then attenuation not only will make the process safer but also will make it cheaper, since cheaper materials of construction and thinner vessel walls can be used and it is not necessary to add on so much protective equipment. 

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. 

Acetone can be handled safely if common sense precautions are taken. It should be used in a weU-ventilated area, and because of its low flash point, ignition sources should be absent. Flame will travel from an ignition source along vapor flows on floors or bench tops to the point of use. Sinks should be rinsed with water while acetone is being used to clean glassware, to prevent the accumulation of vapors. If prolonged or repeated skin contact with acetone could occur, impermeable protective equipment such as gloves and aprons should be worn. 

Even small spills and leaks (<0.45 kg) require extreme caution. Unless the spill is contained in a fume hood, do not remain in or enter the area unless equipped with full protective equipment and clothing. Self-contained breathing apparatus should be used if the odor of acrolein or eye irritation is sensed. Small spills may be covered with absorbant, treated with aqueous alkalies, and flushed with water. 

Skin redness and from slight to corrosive irritation is caused by direct contact. Acryhc acid is more corrosive than esters. The monomers not only irritate the skin, but may also be absorbed through the skin. Therefore, gloves and protective clothing and shoes or boots should be used in addition to eye (or hiU face) protective equipment. Upon contact, the skin should be flushed with copious amounts of water foUow-up medical attention should be sought. Medical attention should also be obtained if any of the earlier mentioned symptoms appear. 

Beneficiation faciUties require air and water pollution control systems, including efficient control of dust emissions, treatment of process water, and proper disposal of tailings (see AiRPOLLUTlON CONTROLMETHODS). In handling finished fluorspar, operators must avoid breathing fluorspar dust and contacting fluorspar with acids. Proper disposal of spills and the use of respirators and other personnel protective equipment must be observed. Contact with fluorspar may irritate the skin and eyes. 

Both sodium fluoride and sodium bifluoride are poisonous if taken internally. Dust inhalation and skin or eye contact may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, or respiratory tract, and should be avoided by the use of proper protective equipment (1). 

The U.S. Eood and Dmg Administration (EDA) adopted a legally binding standard, which took the form of a performance standard for laser products (56,57). The standard provides a classification scheme for lasers similar to the ANSI classification. AH lasers sold after August 2, 1976 must comply with its provisions. The standard requires incorporation of safety-related labeling and protective equipment according to the class of the laser. The primary impact of the EDA standard is on laser manufacturers and scientific supply firms. 

Protective equipment and clothing such as face shields and gloves should be worn and safety showers should be available wherever there is a possibihty of being splashed or otherwise contacted by nickel-containing solutions. If dermatitis should occur, the possibiUty that it is nickel-related should be brought to the attention of a physician. 

A brief summary of safety and health hazards follows detailed health hazards, however, should be obtained from producers by requesting Material Safety Data Sheets. Proper protective equipment and exposure hazards should be noted before handling any alkan olamine. Detailed toxicological testing is found in the CTEA Chemical Ingredient Review Board Reports on ethanolamines and isopropanolamines (24). 

Skin exposure should be avoided and must be considered when selecting protective equipment and clothing. 

In view of the above, aniline should be handled in areas with adequate ventilation and skin exposure should be avoided by wearing the proper safety equipment. Recommended personal protective equipment includes hard hat with brim, chemical safety goggles, hiU length face shield, mbber gaundet gloves, mbber apron, and mbber safety shoes or mbber boots worn over leather shoes. 

Included ia the OSHA regulations are standards for safe work practices such as lock-out/tag-out and confined space entry, personal protective equipment, storage of hazardous materials, welding process, forklift operation, and requirements for fire protection. Basically, all activities within a chemical facihty are covered by OSHA standards. 

Occupational Safety and Health. OSHA has set no specific limits for sodium and potassium sibcates (88). A pmdent industrial exposure standard could range from the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for inert or nuisance particulates to the PEL for sodium hydroxide, depending on the rate of dissolution and the concentration of airborne material. Material safety data sheets issued by siUcate producers should be consulted for specific handling precautions, recommended personal protective equipment, and other important safety information. 

Because dimethyl sulfate looks like water, operations are preferably not performed when water is present, eg, wet floors or rain. Any spills or leaks should not be left unattended they should be contained, and mnoff to sewers should be avoided. Minor spills should be flooded with water to dilute and hydroly2e the dimethyl sulfate. The area should then be covered with a dilute (2—5 wt %) caustic solution or a dilute (2—5 wt %) ammonia solution, or soda ash may be sprinkled over the neat liquid and the mix wetted with a gende spray of water. The neutrafi2ing agent should remain on the affected area for 24 h and then should be washed away. Only personnel wearing protective equipment should perform these operations. The product bulletins should be consulted for procedures to be followed for more severe spills. Concentrated ammonia should not be used with neat dimethyl sulfate because explosions have resulted after their contact (128). 

Eor deicing fluid appHcations, exposure to vapors and mists is the more likely means of exposure. Ethylene glycol has a threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm for vapors. When proper deicing procedures are foUowed and proper protective equipment worn, the exposure of deicing personnel to vapor and mist is expected to fall weU below this TLV value. This mode of exposure is unlikely for engine cooling appHcations. 

AH volatile organic solvents are toxic to some degree. Excessive vapor inhalation of the volatile chloriaated solveats, and the central nervous system depression that results, is the greatest hazard for iadustrial use of these solvents. Proper protective equipment and operating procedures permit safe use of solvents such as methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene ia both cold and hot metal-cleaning operations. The toxicity of a solvent cannot be predicted from its chlorine content or chemical stmcture. For example, 1,1,1-trichloroethane is one of the least toxic metal-cleaning solvents and has a recommended threshold limit value (TLV) of 350 ppm. However, the 1,1,2-trichloroethane isomer is one of the more toxic chloriaated hydrocarboas, with a TLV of only 10 ppm. 

Personal Protective Equipment. Personal protective and emergency safety equipment should not be reHed on as the primary protection from aHyl chloride. Prevention of exposure should be considered the preferred precautionary measure. Where the exposure guideline may be gready exceeded, an approved positive-pressure air suppHed or self-contained breathing apparatus with fuH facepiece should be used (51). 

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