ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the reader's awareness of potential dangers, since a prerequisite for a safe work environment is knowledge of the potential dangers involved so they can be minimized. It is important to realize that with proper routines and facilities, the dangers for the operator can be kept within limits that are no higher than in any normal industrial environment. The toxicity of a chemical is an inherent property that indicates the harmful effect it may have on the body. Whether a chemical causes a hazard or not depends on whether exposure is significant enough to cause a harmful effect. Therefore, minor exposure to a very toxic substance need not necessarily pose a greater hazard than extensive exposure to a slightly toxic substance. When using prepregs and molding compounds as raw material instead of impregnating the reinforcement with a liquid resin. Most composites manufactured from prepregs are consolidated in autoclaves, which may bring on some additional safety issues.
