INTRODUCTION : Electricity is one of the finest gifts of science to the mankind since just a flick of switch can flood the room with light or put on a fan, an air conditioner or a heater. Many electrical appliances are available to make life comfortable. In a laboratory most of the instruments and all specialised equipment and computers would be usable only with electrical power. However, electricity also presents a number of hazards. Its misuse can cause serious injury, give shock that may be fatal or start devastating fires. Most electrical accidents are caused by worn out equipment or improper use - both of which are avoidable. For instance, according to National Crime Records Bureau, there have been 3502 and 3861 accidental deaths in on country due to electric shock during 1994 and 1995, respectively. Similarly the use of LPG in laboratory is convenient for a number of purposes; but if used carelessly, it may lead to fire and other hazards.
Besides LPG other compression gases also need careful handling and may pose a potential danger in-the event of misuse. In this unit we will discuss the possible hazards due to improper use of electricity, LPG and other compressed gases. We are going to give you some instructions to be followed for safety. The first section describes electrical hazards while the second section describes the gas hazards. In fact, the next unit deals with the fire hazards for which the in issues of electricity and LPG are also responsible to a large extent.