DCHAS-L Archives Nov 11 2009 - Re: Hood Sash Cables

Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:29:22 -0600
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Clark, Richard C" <rcclark**At_Symbol_Here**BEMIS.COM>
Subject: Re: Hood Sash Cables
In-Reply-To: <D2F23BB518927C419529CA74ABDED0360145583D**At_Symbol_Here**NT3.strem.loc>

We had a cable fail at the counte rweight a few months ago. That particular fume hood had only a single counterweight rather than one for each side of the sash. Fortunately, no one was using the hood at the time. The sash drop was not far and there was no glass breakage. The hood is ne arly twenty years old. It would've caused injury; it took two people to raise the sash afterwards.

One quick solution we've implemen ted is to tip a rectangular steel block (approx. 1"x1"x3 1/2" ;; longer would be better) on end and place it in the sash path next to the deflector shield. If the sash is released, it will fall and be stopped by the block before crushing an arm.

Inspection can be problematic dep ending upon where the counterweight is located. There can be access a nd confined space issues. Also, the failure occurred where the cable was stressed (crimped). It may be more practical to replace cables regularly rather than attempt an inspection for de fects that may not be visible.

Rick Clark

Sr. Research Chemist

Curwood, Inc.

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mail to:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of RJ Wolcik
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 12:26 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Hood Sash Cables

We are looking for some ideas on hood sash cables:

We inspect all our hood sash cables quarterly by a visually ins pecting the cable and running a finger along the cable to feel for any bump s or frayed wire. We use 3/32” stainless steel “aircraft grade” cables with a rating of 900 pounds. We have found wire that has frayed in the middle of the twist and it is not visible without a magnifying glass, and if it were to give away while s omeone was in the hood, we would have a serious injury. We are thinking about instituting a change schedule for all the cables. Do es anyone have any ideas or comments? < /p>

Does anyone have any information on cable breakage, or has anyo ne heard of an incident of both sash cables breaking at the same time causi ng the sash to completely fall?

Does anyone have a policy they would be willing to share?< /o:p>

---------------------------------------------------< /span>

R.J. Wolcik

Environmental Health and Safety

Strem Chemicals, Inc.

7 Mulliken Way, Dexter Industrial Park

Newburyport, MA 01950-4098, U.S.A.

Telephone: 978.499.1660

Fax: 978.499.1661

Email: rj**At_Symbol_Here**strem.com

www.strem.com

--------------------------------------------------

Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail transmission may contain confidential or legally privileged information that is intended only for the individual or entity n amed in the e-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, c opying, distribution, or reliance upon the contents of this e-mail is stric tly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail transmission in error, ple ase reply to the sender, so that Strem Chemicals Inc. can arrange for proper delivery, and then please dele te the message from your Inbox. Thank you.

This email and any attachmen ts may contain confidential and/or proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, copy or use the con tents of the email or any attachment. If you have received this email in error, please let us know by reply and then delete it from your system.

Previous post | Top of Page | Next post

The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.