Safety in the University Research Setting

Kurt SickafusThe University of Tennessee

Gas purging tube furnace attached to a tri-arc melting furnace

To tri-arcfurnace

James Valdez, Los Alamos National LaboratoryOn-Site Pressure Safety Training at The University of Tennessee -

Knoxville

Pressure source and safety manifold attached to a tube furnace.

Vent to safe location

Safety Manifold, a schematic diagramThe basic components of a safety-manifold system are shown in the diagram below.

Restrictor orifice

Safety Manifold photo

PRV

Vent

RFO

Safety in University Laboratories

Biggest Risks:

1. Faculty complacency regarding safe work practices

2. Absence of faculty from the laboratory work spaces

3. Students Teaching Students laboratory operating procedures

4. Space, personnel, and experimental operations crossing

organizational boundaries

5. Enormous fluctuations in personnel - transient visitors, transient

students, etc.