Comply with industry-specific standards for semiconductor and electronic safety

Safety in the electronics industry requires a specialized environment and more safety requirements than at general industrial facilities. Since electronic components must be kept clean, electronics facilities regularly make use of cleanrooms that prevent particulate matter from interfering in the production of minute electrical parts. The standard for electrical safety in the workplace includes installation of electrical components, monitoring equipment, safety tools, electrical fault hazard identification and code updates. In this industry, researching the proper state and federal regulations for electronic and semiconductor safety issues is prudent.

I recommend: Lazar Rosenblat's Electronics and Safety Standards provides a list of places to find standards for safety in electronic industry. For a handbook for electrical safety in the workplace, see Electrical Safety Handbook. Also see the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct.

Implement programs for electronic and semiconductor safety

Implementation of semiconductor safety programs and prevention strategies goes a long way to provide workplace safety. Semiconductor environments and manufacturing fabs require special attention to chemical spills or misuse, exposure to acid and toxic solvents, radiation, mechanical or electrical failures, ventilation, ergonomics, automation and robotics, environmental concerns and even safeguards from earthquakes. Have an onsite safety assessment performed on your facility to locate the areas at risk.

I recommend: Intertek provides semiconductor fab safety assessments. For specialized knowledge of semiconductor safety issues, see Earth Tech Microelectronic Services Group. Visit Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) for semiconductor safety information. Also, keep up-to-date on semiconductor safety programs by consulting the Environmental Safety & Health Association for High Technology (formerly known as the Semiconductor Safety Association).

Consult OSHA and other organizations for regulations on electronics safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal entity that regulates and enforces workplace safety standards for a variety of industries. Investigate other organizations, local or national, that provide guidelines, procedures, advice, protection services, security and statistics and reports for electronics and semiconductors in business safety environments.

I recommend: For semiconductor health and safety advice, check out the Semiconductor Safety Handbook, which also provides semiconductor safety statistics. Visit OSHA’s page on semiconductor health and safety.