Safety in the Use of ChemicalsPreface |
Although chemicals play a crucial role in food production, the fight against diseases and the promotion of new advances in modern technology, they have the potential to cause serious harm to workers, the public and the environment if improperly handled. In view of their toxicity, the effects of their wastes on the environment and the catastrophic explosive and flammable consequences, chemicals are responsible for eighty percent of the industrial pollutants.
Based on the above, there is an urgent need to protect ourselves and the environment from the harm that could be caused by chemicals. This calls for the establishment of a safety culture aimed at the promotion of safety, health and the well-being at work.
The development of a safety culture ensures the linkage between better quality products, higher industrial outputs and the maintenance of a healthy society and a cleaner environment. In this process, competitiveness in free market economies is enhanced and employment in hazard-free workplaces is nourished. The result is a knock on effect and a prosperous life.
School education is paramount to the establishment of the safety culture referred to above. Through education, students are equipped with the basic ingredients which necessary for social advancement and prosperous living. However, the school itself should, in addition to sound culture, organization and a management system be equipped with the appropriate education curricula and teaching methods in order to achieve the desired goals.
This publication is intended to offer a powerful tool in promoting a safety culture with emphasis and orientation in the field of chemical safety. The first chapter introduces the chemicals as they relate to the human body. It is followed by a chapter on the health and safety problems caused by chemicals, and a third chapter on the environmental impact of chemicals; the fourth chapter reviews the safety in the use of chemicals. Monitoring of exposure to chemicals and the management of exposure to chemicals are the subjects of chapters 5 and 6 respectively. Fire fighting is briefly reviewed in chapter 7 and the control of major industrial accidents is the subject of chapter 8. This publication ends with chapter 9 on the legislation for chemical safety. A glossary of terms is included purely as an additional source of information on the meaning of some of the technical terms.
| [ Table of contents ] | [ List of papers ] |