Safety - Field Sampling: Principles and Practices in Environmental Analysis - page 86

damage to the surface on which it is spilled, produce no fumes, and cause no other harm.
Some acids and bases, however, such as hydrochloric, nitric, and acetic acids and
ammonium hydroxide can release fumes that can be overpowering. If acid is spilled on a
reactive metal, hydrogen gas can be released and cause a dangerous or even an explosive
situation to develop.
4.3. BASIC SAFETY
At the very start of a project all personnel need to be instructed in basic safety procedures
and practices. This may mean a basic Red Cross first aid course or in-house instruction,
including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction. First aid supplies should
provide gloves and CPR shields to protect first aid givers from bloodborne pathogens.
Basically all personnel need to know first aid because it is not possible to know
beforehand who will be the person needing help [7]. General safety rules for all situations
are given in Table 4.3 [8].
Along with this table should go emergency phone numbers. These must include life
squad, fire department, hospital, hazmat, sheriff, police, state EPA, and other appropriate
entities. Communications must be set up to facilitate contacting the appropriate
organization without delay. Every person involved in field sampling must have easy
access to such communication.
4.4. SIGNAGE
Safety signs relating to safety concerns in and around the field and field office,
laboratory, and storage areas must be installed. It is not sufficient to simply have signs
placed in appropriate areas; workers also need to know
TABLE 4.3 General Safety Rules
Know basic first aid.
Do not sample alone.
Assess and select the proper PPE.
Know what types of materials are being sampled.
Have safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, and first aid nearby.
Know where help is and how to get you to it and it to you.
Store samples appropriately and away from food.
how to read the signs. In Figure 4.1 the sign illustrated at the top left is an example of a
hazard warning label. This indicates the general type of hazard present.
The label on the top right is an example of a hazardous material identification system