Tunnel vision

I went to look at a specialist manufacturing facility this week where they produce and handle small amounts if a highly potent compound. I've been asked to carry out a COSHH assessment for the process. As they weren't manufacturing I was given a "guided tour" of the process and was able to take a good look around at the facility itself and the control measures in place. My discussions with the production personnel concentrated on the control of the potent substance itself. Other substances used during manufacture were mentioned, but only in passing. Some of these presented health hazards (although they were clearly not as harmful as the potent substances), but the personnel were so focused on the potent that they didn't really make any comments on the hazards and risks from these other substances and the measures used to control them.

It's very easy to get "tunnel vision" with processes like this where a potent substance is being handled. What I mean by this is that so much attention is devoted to the main hazard that possible risks from other substances or agents can be forgotten. This can lead to problems if some of those risks are significant and aren't controlled. Although its clearly very important to ensure that everyone is aware of the risks from the main potent material, and that a very high standard of control is applied, attention also needs to be paid to other hazards to make sure that any risks they present are properly controlled as well.