EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Equipment should be inspected prior to use.

Keep equipment maintained. All major equipment is serviced regularly. Smaller appliances

should be checked as necessary.

GLASSWARE

Careful handling and storage procedures should be used to avoid damaging glassware. Damaged

items should be discarded in specially marked containers for broken glass.

Adequate hand protection should be used when inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers or

corks or when placing rubber tubing on glass hose connections. Glass tubing should be fire

polished or rounded and lubricated (liquid dishwashing detergent works well), and hands should

be held close together to limit movement of glass should fracture occur. The use of plastic quick

connects should be considered.

Only glassware designed for vacuum work should be used for that purpose.

Hand protection should be used when picking up broken glass. Small pieces should be swept up

with a brush into a dustpan.

Always know the glass equipment you are working with prior to a task. The use of glass

equipment for specialized tasks can present unusual risks for the first-time user. For example,

cyanide distillation glassware, Kjeldahl flasks, and separatory flasks present a danger if not

handled properly. (Individual risks and precautions are described in the Applications part of the

SOP).

FLAMMABILITY HAZARDS

Do not use an open flame to heat a flammable liquid.

Use an open flame only when necessary and extinguish it when it is no longer needed.

Before lighting a flame, remove all flammable substances from the immediate area. Check all

containers of flammable materials in the area to ensure that they are tightly closed.

Store flammable materials properly. Use a vented "Flammable Chemicals" storage cabinet for all

flammables.