Safety and Emergency Equipment

Know the location and proper use of safety and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and alarms, first-aid kits, safety showers, eyewash foimtains, emergency telephone numbers, and emergency exits. 

Table 8.1 lists sources of information on maintenance of many types of safety and emergency equipment and systems. 

F USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT... 

As outlined in previous chapters, it is essential for each laboratory worker to be proactive to ensure the laboratory is a safe working environment. This attitude begins with wearing appropriate apparel and using proper eye, face, hand, and foot protection when working with hazardous chemicals. It is the responsibility of the institution to provide appropriate safety and emergency equipment for laboratory workers and for emergency personnel. (See also section 5.C.)... 

Ensuring that personnel are properly trained and provided with appropriate safety and emergency equipment. 

Know the location and usage of all safety and emergency equipment used in the lab. Know proper fire-drill procedures and the location of all fire exits. Ask your teacher where the nearest eyewash stations, safety blankets, safety shower, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and chemical spill kit are located. Be sure that you know how to operate the equipment safely. 

The preceding questions usually set the tone (a grim one at best) for the lesson that we subsequently present on the importance of eye protection. Experience has shown that chemical workers must learn the location of and the use of available safety and emergency equipment in their work area so that they can find them with eyes closed. 

Prior to the commencement of any production, all state and local regulations must be adhered to, as the operations may be hazardous from both a mechanical and chemical aspect. Safety and emergency protocols must be drawn up and checked out. All safety equipment must be thoroughly checked before commencement of any work. 

In all aspects of site investigations, health and safety considerations should take priority. Staff should be suitably trained and adequately supervised. Particular care should be taken with monitoring locations that pose particular difficulties for access or that are unsafe in any other way. Risk assessments should be prepared in advance and reviewed at regular intervals. Suitable personal protective equipment and emergency equipment and protocols should be available. 

Since the safety of our laboratory personnel and visitors to the laboratory is always a primary concern, I would like all our laboratory workers to participate in this exercise in order to increase their awareness of the proper use and testing of our protective and emergency equipment while at the same time determining if this equipment is working properly. The items to be tested are the fume hoods, the eyewash stations, and the safety showers. 

Safety and Emergency Systems, which consist of criGcality, radiation, environment conditions, equipment handling, and personnel protective equipment... 

Never obstruct access to exits and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and safety showers. 

Safety equipment, including spill control kits, safety shields, fire safety equipment, respirators, safety showers and eyewash fountains, and emergency equipment should be available in well-marked, highly visible locations in all chemical laboratories. Fire alarm pull stations and telephones with emragency telephone numbCTs clearly indicated must be readily accessible. In addition to the standard items, thwe may also be a need for other safety devices. It is the responsibility of the laboratory supervisor to ensure proper training and provide supplementary equipment as needed. 

A basis for program -oriented precautions, personnel protection, safety devices, emergency equipment, procedures, training, and safety requirements for facilities, equipment, and the environment... 

Employees should be trained on how to complete a pretrip inspection. This is required by law for safety purposes. Tires, wheels, rims, lugs/nuts, steering, suspension system, exhaust system, and emergency equipment should all be inspected. This inspection ensures that the vehicle is in proper working condition before it is driven off the lot. 

In general, less formal training is required for the maintenance as opposed to the process discipline. All personnel should be given the basic safety and emergency procedure instructions as well as an appropriate appreciation of plant operation, More specialist training on new equipment can sometimes be gven at the vendor s works, or by special local arrangemenUs offsite. This is particularly important with instrumentation. 

Reactors are designed to be inherently safe based on physical principles, supplemented by redundant equipment and special procedures. Nuclear power benefits from the appHcation of the concept of defense in depth, ie, by using fuel form, reactor vessel, building containment, and emergency backup procedures to ensure safety. 

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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