From: Frankie Wood-Black <fwoodblack90**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Color-blindness as a lab safety concern?
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2017 14:15:05 -0600
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CAEPFAxWS+YYZopJPNLR1QhM39RWGN0j+xZ1zXNDQ6sG3Cwn+yg**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To <1D8CBC82-493E-468A-904B-75F69112FF43**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>


Yes, it is a safety concern. In the plants, we use reactive paints to indicate leaks, and if someone can not discern the color change, then we have an issue.

I have encountered issues with pH changes, and other "dip stick" sampling techniques as well. Particularly, when in the field dealing with remediation sites. Luckily, in all the cases I have dealt with, we have been able to come up with either an alternative test for the individual or have been able to make some easy accommodation.

But, it is something that needs to be addressed.

Additionally, one has to be careful with signage as well, not just from a color point of view but an ADA issue.

Frankie Wood-Black, Ph.D., REM, MBA
Principal - Sophic Pursuits
NOTE - ADDRESS CHANGE - Mailing Address - PO Box 433, Tonkawa, OK 74653

580-761-3703

On Wed, Feb 8, 2017 at 12:39 PM, Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org> wrote:
http://cenblog.org/the-safety-zone/2017/02/color-blindness-as-a-lab-safety-concern/

Color-blindness as a lab safety concern?

This week's C&EN includes a Newscripts column about new eyeglasses for color-blind people that enhance color perception.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i6/Experimenting-EnChromas-color-blind-assistance.html

I was struck by these comments by a materials science graduate student who tried the glasses:

"Primary colors seemed more their color," [Patrick] Stanley reports of his time wearing the glasses. "Labels and boxes caught my attention more-and I guess the point of a hazardous label is to catch my attention." He also could tell the difference between red and green LEDs and felt more adept at color-matching tasks such as tracing gas lines and reading graphs. "I found myself being quicker in making color assertions," he says.

I'd never considered before whether color-blindness might be a lab safety concern. What do you think? Are there labs in which eyeglasses such as these might be helpful to ensure safety? (Combined with appropriate safety glasses or goggles, of course!)



--- This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

--- This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

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