We are also struggling with hydrogen safety guidance for our labs. We counted more than two dozen labs with hydrogen gas cylinders, utilized for many purposes from GC to hydrogen torches to a hydrogen-inert
gas mixture for a glovebox atmosphere. We have focused in the past on separation of flammable and oxidizing gas cylinders, placement of cylinders relative to the operations underway, the use of proper tubing, and even twice have even found hydrogen and oxygen
piped from one part of the lab above the ceiling tiles to the fume hood. But we know there is a lot more guidance we should be giving.
One problem in formulating the “best practices” is that hydrogen and other flammable gases have different purposes in different labs. Some set-ups may need flashback arrestors, and others leak detection. We
are also struggling with step-down pressure gauges, and wondering if labs are selecting ones that inadvertently could allow for too much flow. What about connections to old equipment that may not have shut-down mechanisms, and may no longer be in business
and have technical support? What about after hours operations run by graduate students?
The seminar would be very much welcome if it could shed light on hydrogen safety in academic processes.
Thanks,
Janice
Janice Dodge
Laboratory Safety Officer
Florida State University
(850) 644-8916
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu]
On Behalf Of Reinhardt, Peter
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2016 9:54 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Hydrogen safety webinar?
I would really appreciate it if DivCHAS or AIHA did a webinar on hydrogen safety as it pertains to research laboratories. There have been three hydrogen explosions
at universities since 2010 (U. Missouri, Stoney Brook U. and U. Hawai’i). Scientists and EHS staff need better training on hydrogen safety, risks to look out for, and how to do a hazard assessment for research involving hydrogen. When we ask researchers about
their setup, they say, “I’ve been doing this for years. This is the same setup described in the literature/that my mentor uses.” Please.
Pete
Peter A. Reinhardt
Director, Office of Environmental Health & Safety
Yale University
135 College St., Suite 100
New Haven, CT 06510-2411
(203) 737-2123
peter.reinhardt**At_Symbol_Here**yale.edu
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