STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Procedure: Use of Fume Hood

School/Department: School of Biological Science
SOP prepared by: Angela Nikolic, Nick Coleman SMB edit M Joseph

Section 1 - Personal Protective Equipment

lab coat and enclosed shoes: always
hair tied back if long
safety glasses: if risk of squirt/splash of toxic, corrosive or biohazard liquids
gloves: if handling toxic, corrosive or biohazard compounds
Section 2 Potential Hazards + Safety precautions
1. Harmful vapours (toxic, corrosive, stench) may escape from hood if it is not set
up correctly. Keep the glass sash at the front of the hood down as far as possible
when in use (approx 20 cm gap is appropriate) this ensures a strong airflow into
the hood, and provides protection against toxic inhalation.
2. Use of a Bunsen burner or other ignition source in hood can lead to a fire. Never
use Bunsen burners or other ignition sources in a fume hood fires in this location
can get out of control quickly due to chimney effect, and the common use of
fume hoods to store solvents and solvent wastes. Instead, use an electric heating
element if you need to heat an item in the hood.
Section 3 Procedure
1. Ensure you have read the MSDS of any chemicals you are using in the hood and
understand the risks. Know the location of the nearest spill kit, eyewash, safety
shower, fire extinguisher and fire blanket
2. Ensure hood fan is switched ON before use.
3. Keep hood clear of clutter and mess, and keep amount of equipment and
chemicals in hood to a minimum to maintain good air flow.
4. Wear personal protective equipment as appropriate.
5. Keep the glass sash at the front of the hood down as far as possible when in use
(approx 20 cm gap is appropriate).
6. Dont use the hood as a long-term storage location for chemicals and wastes - it
is designed for experimental procedures, not storage.
7. Never use Bunsen burners or other ignition sources in a fume hood.

Section 4 Disposal / Spills / Incidents

1. Organic waste and other types of waste generated from working inside the
fume hood should not be stored long-term in the hood. Instead, this waste
should be appropriately labelled and disposed of through the hazardous waste
system.
2. Any broken glassware should go into a dedicated broken glass disposal system
(either the large cardboard boxes, or yellow plastic sharps containers). See Use
and Disposal of Sharps SOP and risk assessment.
Section 5 Repairs / Certification / Validation
1. Fume hoods are certified annually by NATA certified contractors.
2. Report faulty hoods to the Resources Officer immediately, so that repairs can be
arranged. Faulty hoods should not be used.
Section 6 Relevant Material safety data sheets and References
1. Read the relevant MSDS for all chemicals used inside the fume hood.
2. Risk assessment for Fume Hood, risk assessment and SOP for flammables, toxic
Issue date: 20/11/12 Review date: 20/11/13 Page 1 of 2
 chemicals, corrosives, chemical wastes.

SOP Training Confirmation

By signing below, these individuals confirm that they have read and
understood the SOP, and agree to always follow the instructions in this
SOP when performing this procedure.

Position Name Signature Date

Supervisor
employee / student
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WHS Committee Approval

Representative: A. Prof Frank Seebacher Chair Safety Committee

Signature: ........................................................ Date: .....................................

Issue date: 20/11/12 Review date: 20/11/13 Page 2 of 2