September 1, 2000

Subject: New Policy for use of Fume Hoods for Chemical Procedures

On August 1st, a methanol fire occurred in the fume hood in E138 lab. The researchers were converting potassium metal to potassium hydroxide. The reaction proceeded too rapidly, causing self-ignition of the methanol from excess heat. The beaker containing the methanol fractured, spreading the fire. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished quickly, and no one was hurt.

To minimize the possibility of future fume hoods incidents, the following policy is now in effect for all laboratories under the control of NCNR. For any new experimental procedures involving a chemical procedure, John Barker, the Center's safety representative, should review and approve the experimental procedure before it is started. Secondly, the person(s) directly involved in the procedure must inform a lab contact. [If the safety representative is unavailable, routine procedures with minimal risk can be approved directly by a lab contact, based upon the contacts discretion.] This will allow the safety representative to discuss possible changes in procedures to insure safety, and also inform the lab contact of the agreed upon procedures to be followed. [A procedure is also considered new if it has never been done in our labs by researcher(s).]

RM	1st contact	2nd contact	3rd contact
A 127	Susan Kruger	Yamali Hernandez	John Barker
E 131	Yamali Hernandez	Terry Udovic	John Barker
E 132	Yamali Hernandez	John Barker	S. Satija
E 138	Yamali Hernandez	Steve Kline	John Barker

Thank you for the compliance with this policy, and for assuming that all visiting researchers understand and follow it.

Last modified 01-April-2002