From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Paul Dover
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:50 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Medical Oxygen requirement for experiments with cyanides

Dear all,

 

Thanks for your replies, especially all the Michaels!

I guess initially I had a bit of a knee jerk reaction, as I'm sure we have all had experience of OHS consultants (who do not need to be 'certified' by our legislation) issuing sweeping recommendations which are always offered as advice not requirements. But who is game to then take the one in a billion chance of something happening and not having the 'recommendation' at hand?

So, reluctantly from me, we are taking the comparative easy way out. Having medical oxygen on site, arranging to have regular testing, training, documentation and so on. I can add we never use hydrogen cyanide gas, and as part of the risk assessment we always use fume hoods, cleared from any possible reactive materials, inform facilities management at least24hrs before (so no one works on the roof), and run the procedures (including spill management and disposal) through a committee of experienced chemists.

The documentation we have found that relate to oxygen requirements for cyanide in our 'territory' include this from 1993:

 

http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Documents/26/CyanidePoisoning_1993_PDF.pdf

 

Which relates to 'cyanide poisoning' in a very general context, and almostembarrassing as an Aussie when you read through it.

 

Also this one, a little more recent, having been revised in 2008:

 

http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/documents/Bulletins/MS_GMP_OH_MB5_CyanidePoisoning.pdf

 

But as a lot of these government things have there is the usual 'back to you' disclaimer:

 

"Each site needs to undertake a risk assessment to determine the appropriate quantity and location of oxygen that should be available on site, taking into consideration the numbers of potentially exposed personnel and the duration to reach a tertiary care facility."

 

Then this article that states 'anecdotal' evidence the oxygen therapy is useful from the UK in 1996:

 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc076.htm#admin

 

I don't think I have seen a document that ever states "Nah, you don't need it", unfortunately. The best it gets is like above.

 

Anyway, thanks again everyone.

 

Cheers, Paul