Improving Safety in the Chemical Laboratory

Book excerpt: This contributed volume provides much-needed practical information for setting up and operating a safe chemical laboratory. The reader will learn to discern whether close calls or non-events have happened, and how to identify and eliminate their causes. The book consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 covers organization for safety in laboratories. Chapter 2 describes precautionary labels, including OSHA, DOT, and other labeling systems, and material safety data sheets. Discussed in chapter 3 is the training and drill of staff, along with a selected bibliography. Chapter 4 covers the physical layout of the laboratory, including protective equipment, communication, ventilation, electrical hazards, storage, and emergencies. The last chapter rounds out the subject of accident prevention with a description of safety inspections and safety audits. Also contained are very extensive appendixes.