Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:58:36 -0700
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: bill parks <misterbill21225**At_Symbol_Here**YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: H2 Safety Requirements or Guidelines
In-Reply-To: <002801cb120e$a50a7840$ef1f68c0$**At_Symbol_Here**edu>

--0-61389117-1277215116=:5921

If something like Hydrogen is supplied, there should be a means of removing
 it safely from the operators area, i.e., LEV. Having the operation done in
 a hood might be better. Oxygen detectors at low, middle , and breathing zo
ne heighths near the operation is certainly a plus. Operator "canaries" in 
the breathing zone at minimum. 
=C2=A0
"Plumbing it himself" worries me a bit. Hydrogen is not something I allow g
eneral researchers to plumb. Might I recommend using a pipefitter or mechan
ical contractor. Liability, liability, liability.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Might be overkill, but.................................................
=C2=A0
One man's humble opinion,

Bill Parks
CHST, CHMP, CEHT, LSP(C), RPIH
630/380-4032

**Providing sound Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health, Envir
onmental Health & IAQ, Environmental, and Laboratory support services and s
olutions for over 25 years**

--- On Tue, 6/22/10, Mary Cavanaugh  wrote:

From: Mary Cavanaugh 
Subject: [DCHAS-L] H2 Safety Requirements or Guidelines
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 8:27 AM





I=E2=80=99ve not had much success going the fire safety route, so am trying
 the chemical/lab safety listservs for help.=C2=A0 Please forgive the cross
-posting.
=C2=A0
We have 2 researchers who use or plan to use hydrogen gas in their labs.
=C2=A0
One is a biology lab and I don=E2=80=99t yet know much about why and how th
e hydrogen is used, except that it appears to be being plumbed into a table
top "tent=" approximately 4=E2=80=99 x 4=E2=80=99 x 4=E2=80
=99.=C2=A0 The tent appears to be made of a clear plastic material.=C2=A0 I
 do not as yet know if it is static-resistant.
=C2=A0
The other is a chemistry lab where the hydrogen will be used to consume res
idual oxygen in an anaerobic chamber.=C2=A0 The approximately 1-lb tank wil
l be secured to the bench and the researcher plans to plumb it himself with
 copper line.
=C2=A0
Naturally I have some concerns about hydrogen being used in the lab.=C2=A0 
I doubt there are safer substitutes in these cases, but if anyone knows of 
one, can you please share them?
=C2=A0
Can anyone point me to specific safety guidelines I can share with these re
searchers?
=C2=A0
Thanks in advance.
=C2=A0
Mary M. Cavanaugh CIH
University Industrial Hygienist
Safety & Workers' Comp. Office
cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate . edu
(828) 262-6838 Direct
(828) 262-2936 Fax
=C2=A0      
--0-61389117-1277215116=:5921

If something like Hydrogen is supplied, there should be a means of removing it safely from the operators area, i.e. , LEV. Having the operation done in a hood might be better. Oxygen detector s at low, middle , and breathing zone heighths near the operation is certai nly a plus. Operator "canaries" in the breathing zone at minimum.
 
"Plumbing it himself" worries me a bit. Hydrogen is not something I al low general researchers to plumb. Might I recommend using a pipefitter or m echanical contractor. Liability, liability, liability. 
 
Might be overkill, but................................................ .
 
One man's humble opinion,

Bill Parks
CHST, CHMP, CEHT, LSP(C ), RPIH
630/380-4032

**Providing sound Industrial Hygiene, Occupa tional Safety and Health, Environmental Health & IAQ, Environmental, an d Laboratory support services and solutions for over 25 years**

--- On Tue, 6/22/10, Mary Cavanaugh <cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU>< /B> wrote:

From: Mary Cavanaugh <cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU >
Subject: [DCHAS-L] H2 Safety Requirements or Guidelines
To: DCHA S-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 8:27 AM

I=E2=80=99ve not had much success going the fire safet y route, so am trying the chemical/lab safety listservs for help.  Ple ase forgive the cross-posting.

 

We have 2 researchers who use or plan to use hydrogen gas in their labs.

 

One is a biology lab and I don=E2=80=99t yet know much about why and how the hydrogen is used, except that it appears to be being plumbed into a tabletop "tent=" approximately 4=E2=80=99 x 4=E2=80=99 x 4=E2=80=99.  The tent appears to be made of a clear plast ic material.  I do not as yet know if it is static-resistant.

 

The other is a chemistry lab where the hydrogen will b e used to consume residual oxygen in an anaerobic chamber.  The approx imately 1-lb tank will be secured to the bench and the researcher plans to plumb it himself with copper line.

 

Naturally I have some concerns about hydrogen being us ed in the lab.  I doubt there are safer substitutes in these cases, bu t if anyone knows of one, can you please share them?

 

Can anyone point me to specific safety guidelines I ca n share with these researchers?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Mary M. Cavanaugh CIH

University Industrial Hygienist

Safety & Workers' Comp. Office

cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate . edu

(828) 262-6838 Direct

(828) 262-2936 Fax

 


--0-61389117-1277215116=:5921--

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