2. Wear personal protective equipment(e.g. goggles, gloves and lab coats). No fume hood can prevent dermal absorption. Fume hoods are by no means a replacement for protective wear and good laboratory practices.

3. Keep experimental apparatus, and sources of contaminants with the hood, at a distance of at least six inches behind the sash opening to avoid disruption of airflow.

4. Avoid cross drafts at the face of the hood, as these will disturb the direction of air flow. Even someone moving quickly across in front of the hood will create sufficient current to cause turbulent activity which might bring the air contaminants into your breathing zone.

5. Keep the hood uncluttered; the more cluttered a hood, the more air flow disturbances. Try not to store chemicals in the hood. Storage of materials/equipment in the hood should be kept to a minimum. No peroxide-forming compounds, e.g. ether, may be stored in a hood.

6. Where open flame is used, no flammable liquids may be kept in the hood. Flammable liquids should be stored in a safety cabinet when not in immediate use.

7. The vertical sliding sash is used to serve as a physical barrier in the event of chemical splashes within the hood. For this reason, the sash should be kept below eye level where a face velocity of 80-120 fpm is achieved. In addition, the sash must be positioned below breathing zone height to protect the user in the event that hazardous vapors escape the fume hood.

8. Keep your head outside the face of the hood. Keep the sash closed when the hood is not attended.

9. The work surface of the hood should be thoroughly cleaned after completion of all experiments and immediately following use of any chemicals.

10. Remain alert to changes in airflow and be familiar with appropriate emergency procedures in the event of fume hood failure. Report hood failure to the laboratory supervisor and/or Facilities Management (7-3432) for repair.

** Contact EH&S (7-4712) with any questions or concerns. **


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