Protecting worker health and safety in photovoltaic research and development laboratories

Abstract Photovoltaic research and development laboratories use many chemicals and processing options for the production of photovoltaic devices that can present chemical and physical hazards to human health and safety. Some hazards are well understood and portfolios of administrative, engineering and personal controls are available to reduce them to acceptable levels. Other hazards associated with new materials and processing technology are less well understood because of lack of knowledge of chemical behavior and toxicity or because of inadequate knowledge of process control. Examples of well-understood hazards and hazard management options for the fabrication of selected a-Si, III–V and II–VI devices are presented. Similarly, some less-studied hazards and suggested management options are identified. In addition, the Photovoltaic Environmental, Health and Safety Electronic Bulletin Board available to members of the photovoltaics community is briefly described.