Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)

ID#:

9572

Caption:

This historic image, provided by the Center for Disease Control's (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), depicted an industrial worker, who was in the process of heating an unknown substance inside a ventilated oven marked, POISON. It appeared that a crucible, which was hanging from a metal rod held by the worker, was the canister that held the poison. The man was wearing dark eyeglasses, a transparent face shield, heavy-duty gloves, and an apron. However, he was wearing no filtered breathing mask, which would have prevented the inhalation of possible toxic fumes. In gaining a better understanding of workplace hazards, through hands-on, and on-site information acquisition, protocol formulating bodies like NIOSH, are better able to create a safer workplace through substantiation of appropriate safety regulations.