From: George Walton <georgewalton**At_Symbol_Here**REACTIVES.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Color-blindness as a lab safety concern?
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2017 15:27:42 -0500
Reply-To: georgewalton**At_Symbol_Here**reactives.com
Message-ID: 000901d28249$cc81ae40$65850ac0$**At_Symbol_Here**reactives.com
In-Reply-To <1D8CBC82-493E-468A-904B-75F69112FF43**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>


We have an exercise in our current Hazwoper refresher class where compare the "amount" of light (in lux or foot-candles) with the ability to perceive or read DOT, NFPA, or HNIS labels. Red light really cuts down on the ability to read these labels.

 

George C. Walton, CHMM

Reactives Management Corporation

1025 Executive Blvd., Suite 101

Chesapeake, VA 23320

(757) 436-1033

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 1:39 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Color-blindness as a lab safety concern?

 

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!)


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