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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Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names
Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Trying to get information regarding safe practices and Schlenk line use.
- 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
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Lisa Bognar Phillips, CHMM, CCHO
Laboratory Compliance Program Manager
University Biosafety Officer
University of Notre Dame
636 Grace Hall
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
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