Improving Laboratory Safety with Sustainable Safety Cabinets

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Improving Laboratory Safety with Sustainable Safety Cabinets

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sandy_brown” border_width=”3″ el_width=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1564073259210{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1564611234971{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”]Modern, optimised laboratory furniture is a big step towards achieving a high level of laboratory safety, and safety cabinets for chemical storage play a significant role in this. But what are the standards that the user should adopt and what is their role in sustainability?

Labs are places where scientists research and develop sustainable substances and materials, processes and technologies for the future. Operators are looking for solutions that enable cost-effective operation in an environmentally safe environment, while providing the highest possible work safety and maximum comfort and convenience. In addition, innovative developments must involve controlled and stable processes and perform exceptionally. At the same time, work safety in the laboratory plays an important role. Within the framework of these issues, aspects such as comfort, convenience and job satisfaction are also becoming increasingly important. Especially for the development of safety lockers, it is important not only to follow the mandatory regulations, but also to meet the rising expectations of users. [/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gKETHWBmww”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1564610535539{padding-top: 30px !important;}”]Risk management: challenges in the laboratory routine

The storage of flammable liquids and solids, hazardous substances, and chemicals is part of a laboratory’s daily work in all industries. In these areas, various laws must be complied with, such as the storage of flammable liquids in the BetrSichV (German Industrial Safety Regulation) or the TRbF (German Technical Rules for Flammable Liquids). If substances are stored in their original packaging or hermetically sealed and their gases do not come into contact with the atmosphere, the term “passive storage” will be used. Passive storage in safety cabinets is specified in detail in the TRGS 510 and TRbF 20 regulations (German Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances and Flammable Liquids, respectively). However, in practice, most storage is active, for example when substances have to be filled or transferred in the safety cabinet, when working with substances or when waste is produced, which must be disposed of properly. Active storage is therefore the storage of flammable liquids in transportable containers, which are used at their storage location as stationary dispensers, collection containers or opened for other purposes. In addition to fire protection, far-reaching safety measures are now required. In particular, the consequent increased risk of potentially explosive atmospheres requires appropriate solutions.

Researching and finding solutions in accordance with regulations

According to these criteria, specific safety lockers are required, not only for passive storage, but also for active storage, which take into account the relevant guidelines and regulations. However, in the daily laboratory routine, the switches from passive to active storage are not clearly defined. This leads to the fact that, consciously or unconsciously, the necessary safety lockers are often chosen and employed in a very flexible manner. According to the law, however, a differentiation must actually be made between active and passive storage, and therefore between the safety cabinets that must be selected, to allow issues and responsibilities to be clarified in the event of a fire or accident. For example, it is not permissible to drill into a safety cabinet for passive storage in order to subsequently install collection hoppers for solvent waste. On the other hand, it is permissible to work with an exhaust fume hood positioned above the safety locker for passive storage (Fig. 1) and to remove sealed containers from the locker, to open them and process their contents in the fume hood. When in doubt, it is advisable to develop suitable solutions with competent experts. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1246″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1564610962839{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Fig.1: Laboratory with modern push-to-open safety cabinets[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1564610595129{padding-top: 30px !important;}”]Compliance with all legal requirements

With the new disposal line, which has been tested by TÜV, DÜPERTHAL has created a special equipment for the laboratory. Various types of safety cabinets for active storage have been developed for a wide variety of requirements and work processes (Fig. 2). To ensure safe filling and transfer, all models in the active storage cabinet range in accordance with the relevant regulations TRbF 30 and TRGS 526 (laboratory guidelines) optimize ventilation and improve grounding. Ergonomics, comfortable handling and mobility are of course standard features. The effectiveness and control of the exhaust air is an important part of compliance with the explosion protection concept. In the case of active storage, it is mandatory to connect the safety cabinets to an industrial ventilation system and monitor the exhaust airflow. The new safety cabinets have an efficient air duct through the increase in the exhaust air flow rate, whose triple effect ensures safety. The direct extraction system ensures that volatiles and harmful substances, which can be produced in the collection container in the transfer process, are safely extracted directly at their place of origin. At the same time, as the second step of the safety package, the extraction of the entire interior of the enclosure comes into play. In addition, all bases are equipped with permanent floor extraction with front exhaust discharge slots . With the connection to the ventilation system, the volatiles and harmful substances that accumulate at the bottom are safely collected and added to the exhaust air. The ventilation function is also controlled by the standard integrated exhaust air monitoring unit. In the event of a pressure drop or ventilation failure, an error beep is emitted. Continuity of equipotential grounding or bonding is required to meet explosion protection requirements for active storage. Therefore, all surface coatings of the safety cabinets, internal and external, as well as fittings and installations, are electrically conductive according to TRGS 727. Connection to the laboratory grounding system is made with equipotential bonding saddles. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1247″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1564610953757{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Fig.2 / Fig.5: Safety cabinet – Test for active storage / Trays with automatic pull-out door[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1564610676424{padding-top: 30px !important;}”]Collection container provides additional security

Depending on the requirement profile of the work processes, it is possible to develop special customized system solutions for safety cabinets. Examples of these are built-in hoppers or benchtop penetrations for the collection of HPLC waste (Fig. 3 and 4). Protecting against overfilling of the collection container in the safety cabinet is an important part of the safety concept. The Modular Protection System (SPM) emits a warning beep if there is a risk of overfilling. Alternatively, a radio analysis option is also available. SPM also includes a system lock function. For intelligent protection against unauthorized access, the door is unlocked via a user card (RFID) and is automatically locked via time control. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1248″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1564610889518{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Fig.3: Hopper connection in the safety cabinet for active storage[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1249″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1564610881189{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Fig.3: Hopper connection in the safety cabinet for active storage[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1564610812352{padding-top: 30px !important;}”]Perfect vision and comfortable handling

The new and convenient push-out door technology makes it easy to open the door and move the tray, which moves automatically (Fig. 5), allowing easy access to stored substances and simple container change. The faucet is drip-free to avoid unnecessary spills at the time of changeover. Quick access to stored hazardous substances is possible with a simple movement of the hand. The system offers a perfect view and closes automatically in the event of a fire by means of a thermal trigger. In terms of construction, the ToeKick base allows for ergonomic work. The cabinet no longer has a flush front, as the 85 mm high base is set back by 50 mm, which provides enough clearance to prevent the user’s feet from hitting the cabinet. It is now possible to work more closely, stably and comfortably in the new HPLC Waste Storage Line, DISPOSAL UTS Ergo Line (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1250″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1564610862128{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Fig.6: The ToeKick base allows for ergonomic work and prevents the user from stomping their feet on the door[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1251″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1564610936610{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1564610993882{padding-top: 30px !important;}”]Documentation ensures safety, not only in the event of a fire

In the event of a fire, the safety cabinets of the DISPOSAL UTS ergo line, tested in accordance with EN 14470-1, guarantee 90 minutes of fire resistance. In addition, this series has received the TÜV Süd High Quality seal of approval for superior design, ease of use, and increased durability. In addition to the TÜV certification seal, the explosion protection document is also of utmost importance for a comprehensive analysis of hazardous materials. The BetrSichV (German Industrial Safety Regulations) require each user to carry out a risk assessment of their workstation. In addition to health and safety laws and TRGS 526, a large number of additional regulations for laboratories must also be taken into account. Tested and certified products and equipment simplify the documentation required in sustainable quality and environmental management. Creating a safe workplace with individual design options is essential for the work of a sustainable laboratory and indispensable for the social competence of companies.

Conclusion: Safe workplaces are sustainable

Only a safe workplace in an ecologically and economically oriented environment is sustainable. In the context of user behavior, this is a prerequisite for the development of a functional and oriented work, aiming at a laboratory compatible with future needs and objectives. Safety equipment and safety cabinets, in practice, contribute a lot to the development of work in a sustainable laboratory. Certified products simplify documentation in the monitoring process. With accredited system solutions, DÜPERTHAL offers a secure and reliable basis for modern risk management.

Source: Christian Völk – Düperthal Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, 63791 Karlstein, Germany[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”3″ element_width=”12″ gap=”15″ item=”958″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1617196931641-5c8c4e17-1da3-7″ taxonomies=”4, 1, 5, 3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]