https://dchas.org/2019/03/15/jchas-editors-spotlight-catching-up-with-runaway-hot-plates/

JCHAS Editorâ??s Spotlight: Catching Up With Runaway Hot Plates

The JCHAS Editorâ??s Spotlight for the March / April 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety is shining on:

Catching up with Runaway Hot Plates, by Joseph M. Pickel, Mark Mathews, and Kimberly Brown

In recent years, there have been numerous reports of â??runaway hot platesâ??. This is to say, hot plates that heat uncontrollably regardless of the temperature setting or whether the controls are in the off position. Some of these events have resulted in injuries to laboratory personnel and damage to research facilities. Investigations into the cause of several of these events have determined that failure of a non-mechanical switch, a â??triacâ??, in the hot plate can result in the circuit failing open, causing uncontrolled heating. The number of events in recent years has led to greater awareness of the issue; however, in spite of this, devices utilizing this technology continue to be sold and used in research laboratories without additional controls to ensure their safety.

The article can be downloaded from the URL above.

Let me know if you have any questions about this.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

Membership chair
American Chemical Society
Division of Chemical Health and Safety

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post