Safety Information resources

MSDS Index. (2000). Vermont Safety Information Resources (http //hazard.com/msds/). 

We can find information about the safety of ethylene glycol and other chemicals from the World Wide Web (WWW) (Table 5-4). One source is the Vermont Safety Information Resources, Inc. Web site (Vermont SIRI. M ww.SiW.of ), For example, we can learn from the Control Measures that we should use neoprene gloves when handling the material, and that we should avoid breathing the vapors. If we click on Dow Chemical USA and scroll the Reactivity Data, we would find that ethylene glycol will ignite in air at 4I3 C. 

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) has a 30-year history of involvement with process safety for chemical processing plants. Through its strong ties with process designers, builders, operators, safety professionals and academia, the AIChE has enhanced communication and fostered improvement in the high safety standards of the industry. AIChE publications and symposia have become an information resource for the chemical engineering profession on the causes of accidents and means of prevention. 

When used judiciously, the advantages of QRA can outweigh the associated problems and costs. Companies that prudently commission QRAs and conscientiously act on the resulting recommendations are better off for two reasons (1) they have a better base of information to make decisions and (2) their judicious use of QRA technology represents another demonstration of responsible concern for the health and safety of workers and the public. However, companies should resist the indiscriminate use of QRA as a means to solve all problems since this strategy could waste safety improvement resources, diverting attention from other essential safety activities. Once executives are able to interpret and use QRA results, they will appreciate that the quality of their decisions rests largely on their ability to understand the salient analysis assumptions and the limitations of the results. 

The reader can find an almost endless supply of chemical and physical properties for hundreds of thousands of chemicals and tradename products on the Web. The easiest access to general information resources that contain health risk and some air transport properties are those sites which contain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). The following are a list of but a few sites worth exploring for chemical-specific information ... 

For over 30 years the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) has been involved with process safety and loss control issues in the chemical, petrochemical, hydrocarbon process and related industries and facilities. AIChE publications and symposia are information resources for the chemical engineering and other professions on the causes of process incidents and the means of preventing their occurrences and mitigating their consequences. 

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). The MSDS CD-ROM is a useful resource that contains over 33,000 MSDS on chemicals submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by chemical manufacturers. This resource contains complete Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information as well as other important information such as the chemical formula, structure, physical properties, synonyms, registry number, and safety information. 

Expanding access to computers and networks represents a resource which should not be overlooked. There are two Universal Resource Locators that represent a sound starting point for obtaining safety related resources available on the internet. First, the full text version of the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 3rd edition, March 1993 may be accessed at http //www.cdc.gov/od/ ohs/biosfty/bmbl-l.htm. Another excellent starting point is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration home page at http // www.osha.gov, which allows access to multiple sources of information, as well as a listing of Safety and Health Internet Sites. 

Although we have access to an enormous amount of information, the quality and reproducibility of data varies considerably. Governmental and regulatory influences have not provided any guarantees as to the accuracy of data related to xenobiotics and the researcher needs to understand the purpose and mandates behind an information resource to fully evaluate the data contained within. For example, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) criteria for selection of data is not based on the reproducibility of that data. Other sources, such as the National Library of Medicine s Hazardous Substances Databank (HSDB), present information compiled from a wide variety of source materials that are extensively reviewed by experts. 

The World Library is envisioned as a Web portal to international information resources in the areas of toxicology, chemical safety, and environmental health. It will be hosted by TEHIP and maintained... 

Procedures should identify the hazards presented by the process. Procedures should also state precautions necessary to prevent accidental chemical release, e q)osure, and injury. Process safety information is an important resource in developing procedures. Using this information ensures that the known hazards are addressed properly. 

---