The danger of a chemical product is an intrinsic property of compounds. No
direct action can therefore modify this property without changing the nature of the
product. Exposure to the product is the set of handling conditions for this product
that may cause a target's exposure to the adverse effects of that product. By an
action on the modalities of this exposure, it is possible to avoid or mitigate it and
thus to act on the probability of an incident or an accident.
As a result, it has become essential to give all future executives a true ‘security’
spirit that will enable them to plan and act very effectively within our companies.
The role of the professional in industrial hygiene and safety is the recognition
and evaluation of the industrial environment when it is compared with the need to
control a dangerous exposure. The work of industrial hygiene and safety professionals involves four main functions. These functions are:
(1) Recognition of potential hazards in the work environment
(2) Measurement of the work environment with the aim of estimating the presence
of a hazard and the subsequent evaluation of measures taken to determine
whether a hazard exists
(3) Identification and recommendation of controls that can be implemented
(4) Elimination or reduction of exposure to hazards for the worker
(5) Anticipation/prevention of potential hazards, if possible.
The number and variety of chemicals present in different industries and in
laboratories continue to increase. Dangers of these products are not always well
known, even by specialists. Irritant, toxic, flammable, carcinogenic, reprotoxic, etc.,
they must be handled with precaution, so that staff, researchers, doctors, technicians, teachers, and students can work safely for their activity and their health in the
best possible conditions of hygiene and safety. Also, chemicals are part of our daily
lives. Unfortunately, the use and manufacturing of these synthetic chemicals are
causing a growing number of health problems in humans. Finally, let us not forget
that the field of health and safety at work is continuously evolving.
Unfortunately, users of chemical products often underestimate their ignorance
of the dangerousness of these products and related exposure risks. Health consequences are highly variable, ranging from temporary disability to death to incapacity to work or disability. They can be sudden (burns, asphyxiation), brutal (acute
intoxication, fire, explosion), or take shape of illness or chronic intoxication. They
can occur gradually or appear several years after exposure.
Health and safety at work must be a value we share.
Constantine, Algeria
Prof. Rachid Chaib
Palermo, Italy
Mr. Michele Barone
Preface
ix
direct action can therefore modify this property without changing the nature of the
product. Exposure to the product is the set of handling conditions for this product
that may cause a target's exposure to the adverse effects of that product. By an
action on the modalities of this exposure, it is possible to avoid or mitigate it and
thus to act on the probability of an incident or an accident.
As a result, it has become essential to give all future executives a true ‘security’
spirit that will enable them to plan and act very effectively within our companies.
The role of the professional in industrial hygiene and safety is the recognition
and evaluation of the industrial environment when it is compared with the need to
control a dangerous exposure. The work of industrial hygiene and safety professionals involves four main functions. These functions are:
(1) Recognition of potential hazards in the work environment
(2) Measurement of the work environment with the aim of estimating the presence
of a hazard and the subsequent evaluation of measures taken to determine
whether a hazard exists
(3) Identification and recommendation of controls that can be implemented
(4) Elimination or reduction of exposure to hazards for the worker
(5) Anticipation/prevention of potential hazards, if possible.
The number and variety of chemicals present in different industries and in
laboratories continue to increase. Dangers of these products are not always well
known, even by specialists. Irritant, toxic, flammable, carcinogenic, reprotoxic, etc.,
they must be handled with precaution, so that staff, researchers, doctors, technicians, teachers, and students can work safely for their activity and their health in the
best possible conditions of hygiene and safety. Also, chemicals are part of our daily
lives. Unfortunately, the use and manufacturing of these synthetic chemicals are
causing a growing number of health problems in humans. Finally, let us not forget
that the field of health and safety at work is continuously evolving.
Unfortunately, users of chemical products often underestimate their ignorance
of the dangerousness of these products and related exposure risks. Health consequences are highly variable, ranging from temporary disability to death to incapacity to work or disability. They can be sudden (burns, asphyxiation), brutal (acute
intoxication, fire, explosion), or take shape of illness or chronic intoxication. They
can occur gradually or appear several years after exposure.
Health and safety at work must be a value we share.
Constantine, Algeria
Prof. Rachid Chaib
Palermo, Italy
Mr. Michele Barone
Preface
ix