Monday 18 March 2019

Effectively Using a Fume Hood


A fume hood is a unit that is used to promote safety in the laboratory. Professionals in various industries use a fume hood to complete a task that involves hazardous materials in order to stay safe. It is important to have quality fume hoods installed in your lab when materials need to be handled that can be dangerous. Providing quality training must also be included so that users know the best practices to remain safe during operation.

Understanding Standard Guidelines

When using a fume hood, there are guidelines that must be followed. The exhaust must be operating properly. The unit will have a special ventilation system that will exhaust any hazardous vapors and fumes from the laboratory. The baffles of the unit need to be checked often to ensure that they are not obstructed.

Certain fume hoods have an airflow monitor and this needs to be checked to ensure that the system is functioning properly. If any changes are found, the work needs to be stopped so that the airflow can be checked to ensure safety.

When using a benchtop fume hood, the user needs to keep the face outside of the system. The sash is a barrier that provides protection. Only the hands should cross the sash and be placed inside the fume hood.

It is recommended that the user should stay at least six inches from the fume hood face. Protective gear should also be used to ensure safety. This can include goggles, gloves and a face shield. The type of testing or experiment you are conducting will determine the type of gear needed.

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