I see the point trying to be brought up. There are some rules and procedures out there that while addressing one problem end up causing another one. I deal with those issues myself on an almost daily basis.

 

The point I was wanting to make is that it is not up to us to decide to ignore or work around a standard or legal requirement to do something because we may not agree with it. It appears that this person's local jurisdiction has adopted at least part of NFPA 1 (Uniform Fire Code) which when discussing Hazardous Materials Storage Cabinets states in part: "doors shall be well fitted, self-closing, and equipped with a self-latching device". Some states have adopted the UFC statewide while others have had only local jurisdictions adopt it. This isn't a simple rule or procedural issue - this is a legal compliance issue.

 

The bottom line on this issue is that if it's mandated by law we really don't have a choice but to comply and should do our part to ensure our folks can comply in a safe manner instead of ignoring it. NFPA reviews standards on a regular basis. I completely agreed with you when you stated that "often rules are made by people who are only looking at one small part of a situation". One way we can address items like this is by joining NFPA and becoming involved in the process that updates the standards.

Don A. Long 
STS, CAIH 
Southwest Research Institute Laboratory 
Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility 
PO Box 20130 
White Hall, AR  71612 
870-541-4930

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of Rita Kay Calhoun
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 8:14 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] flammable cabinet question

It is hard to see the sense in following =93safety rules=94 that cause more danger than they prevent.  Often rules are made by people who are only looking at one small part of a situation and not at all considering the overall ramifications of their dictates.   Consider the post this morning from Ina Ahern whose local fire department is mandating the use of a tubing which has been shown to cause safety problems (see her post) when all that is needed is a program to increase awareness as to the importance of inspecting tubing; at most a requirement that inspections occur and are documented at regular stated intervals.

Kay

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of List Moderator
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 7:04 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] flammable cabinet question

From: "Long, Don" <don.long**At_Symbol_Here**wgint.com>

Date: November 10, 2010 6:54:08 AM EST

Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] flammable cabinet question

"I recently bought several safety cabinets, and I found that it is the state that mandates self closing doors.  Luckily, we were able to purchase ones with manual doors."

 

This spooks me. The above statement implies that even though self-closing doors are mandated by state law (probably a UFC state) but inconvenient, you have decided to ignore the law. I hope that's not what I read.

 

It's hard to convince employees of the importance of safety rules and standards when we ourselves ignore the "inconvenient" ones.

 

Don A. Long 

STS, CAIH 

Southwest Research Institute Laboratory 

Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility 

PO Box 20130 

White Hall, AR  71612 

870-541-4930