Semiconductor manufacturing

The common perception of high-technology industries, such as semiconductor manufacturing, is of employees wearing white suits in clean, bright, comfortable workplaces. Although accurate in many cases, many of the high-tech workers in this industry risk exposure to a wide variety of hazards. Many microelectronics production processes involve chemical interactions, chemical cleaning, and various light and radiation exposures. Most work is completed on an assembly line with a very fine level of detail and precision. Hazards range from acute and chronic exposures to toxic chemicals, to radiation and electric shock, and to stress and fatigue. Briefly, hazards can be categorized as resulting from exposure to solvents, alkalis, metals, gases, vapors, radiation, and for workplace stress. In addition, other potential hazards that employers and employees should be aware of include falls, overexertion, sprains/strains, and injuries from stationary objects or from being caught in, under, or between objects. In this industry, production workers are those most frequently exposed to hazardous conditions. Nearly every production job involves the use of chemicals for cleaning, stripping, or degreasing parts and equipment. Maintenance personnel who enter enclosed or confined spaces are also exposed to toxic substances. Less than 40 years old, the semiconductor industry has expanded greatly. Due to rapid changes in this industry, manufacturing processes and their associated hazards may change completely every few years. These changes make hazard assessments more difficult to complete and require that they be conducted more often.