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From: James Saccardo <James.Saccardo**At_Symbol_Here**CSI.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Requirements for Schlenk lines
Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2016 02:27:27 +0000
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 86DD80BD-8BC2-4953-A66A-C9C0908354B2**At_Symbol_Here**csi.cuny.edu
In-Reply-To <5D172BF8-2CD2-4E4F-A198-0A2A5161B2FA**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com>


A 6 foot hood should be plenty large enough for any Schlenk set up. Sometimes a researcher may have to come to terms that their lab space is not equipped to do certain type of work. What are the barriers to installing a hood (assuming that is why they want to run this outside of one)? If a hood is not possible, can a dry box/environmental chamber be considered for purchase ( admittedly these are several thousand dollars - think start funding, fiscal year surplus).

I don't disagree with Rob's comments. I would add, if you decide to take that route, a decommission date so that it does not become a permanent fixture or persistent hazard.
Be well,
James Saccardo, CHMM
Sent from my iPad

On Apr 27, 2016, at 2:53 PM, ILPI Support <support**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM> wrote:

IMHO an ironclad rule like that is counterproductive.  Most research laboratories have limited hood space, and forcing someone to put a vacuum line into a hood might force something else out that really should be in there.  In addition, vacuum and Schlenk lines come in varying lengths, and you might be forcing a researcher to buy a shorter and less capable line in the interest of enforcing such a rule.  Work in hoods can also be cramped, and contorting oneself or equipment to fit could possibly contribute to accidents.

Instead, let common sense work here.  Lines should be in a hood when practical, yes.  But if they can't be, then you need to set up some best practices for when they are located outside a hood.  This includes any number of guidelines such as 1) venting all bubblers, vacuum pumps and traps to a hood, 2) putting up a sliding safety shield to protect the worker from implosions and explosions, 3) establishing a list of procedures/materials/properties that should not be manipulated outside a hood, 4) banning the use of mercury manometers etc. etc..  Except for a the first two items, this is really the same considerations we apply to whether any reaction should be run a hood or not.

Anyone with a John Bercaw-style (Caltech) line that measures 8 feet long by 4 feet wide (or more!) sitting in the middle of their lab space probably has an ample set of safety Schlenk/high vac line guidelines that would be worth sharing.

Rob Toreki

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On Apr 26, 2016, at 1:11 PM, Lisa Phillips <bognar.6**At_Symbol_Here**ND.EDU> wrote:

Trying to get information regarding safe practices and Schlenk line use.

  1. Do you require Schlenk lines to always be set up in a hood?
 
At your institutions do you require all Schlenk lines to set up in hoods?

If not, when do you allow them outside of the hood

--
Lisa Bognar Phillips, CHMM, CCHO
Laboratory Compliance Program Manager
University Biosafety Officer
University of Notre Dame
636 Grace Hall
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: 574-631-5037
 


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