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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On Apr 26, 2016, at 1:11 PM, Lisa Phillips <bognar.6**At_Symbol_Here**ND.EDU> wrote:

Trying to get information regarding safe practices and Schlenk line use.

1. 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

--

Lisa Bognar Phillips, CHMM, CCHO

Laboratory Compliance Program Manager

University Biosafety Officer

University of Notre Dame

636 Grace Hall

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Phone: 574-631-5037

Email: bognar.6**At_Symbol_Here**nd.edu