Greetings!
Mr. Haugen is very correct and I may have missed something in all of these emails that have been flying through, but a show
of hands probably will not suffice. I have dealt with this sort of thing before at an environmental testing lab I worked for.
Paul, you need to find the instruction which outlines the rules / guidelines for this sort of thing for your territory /
country and if the rules say you do not have to, then go to the OHS person and point it out. If he will not go by the information you have researched, then take it to the next person above.
If that fails, put in a purchase order for everything he wants and attach the documentation you may have found that says
it is not needed. If management approves the purchase, then it will not hurt to put it in place and hold a 15 minute training session prior to the start of work on each shift.
Now if management denies the purchase, then it is out of your hands. You tried to do what OHS wanted, but it was denied and
it is over with.
Respectfully,
Mike Richardson
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]
On Behalf Of 8524828hau**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 2:53 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Medical Oxygen requirement for experiments with cyanides
Here is my vote:
Standby medical grade oxygen is NOT required for ANY experiments involving
cyanides salts. Gaseous HCN is formed only at low pH. A properly used hood, PPE,
hazard communication, and chemical hygiene practices are sufficient. A neutralization solution of sodium bicarbonate may be "good practice" in the event of an incident.
Retired
From:
"Paul Dover" <Paul.Dover**At_Symbol_Here**MONASH.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 8:26:20 AM
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Medical Oxygen requirement for experiments with cyanides
Dear all,
Can I ask for a quick show of hands. We have a new OHS consultant who a bit hung up on the immediate availablity
of medical oxygen and training in administration of medical oxygen for ANY experiments involving cyanide. To the extent that no work should commence until this is in place.
Is this what happens elsewhere? Does it seem a bit
oveboard? Is it a 'control' as such, or just a nice thing to have. We are 5 mins away
from a major hospital.
Thanks in advance, Paul
___________________________________________________
Paul Dover
Resources Manager (Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Action)
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Monash
University (Parkville Campus)
381 Royal Parade, Parkville
Victoria 3052, Australia
Tel: Int + 61 3 9903 9551
Fax: Int + 61 3 9903 9143
E-mail:
paul.dover**At_Symbol_Here**monash.edu
www.pharm.monash.edu.au
