Work safety in plastination

In this article, information is given on potential physical and health hazards in the steps of the silicone cold temperature method, often referred to as "S 10 Standard Method." The main potential hazards related to plastination, as well as recommended measures to effectively avoid explosion and health hazards are discussed. Some specialty chemicals pose chronic health hazards. Exposure to these chemicals can be avoided by standard laboratory hygiene, that is wearing personal protective equipment like safety goggles and protective gloves. Inhalation hazard, for example when working at open dehydration containers or when opening a gas curing box, is preferentially avoided by the action of an appropriate ventilation system. Acetone is the standard solvent used for dehydration and defatting of the specimens to be plastinated. Like for other flammable liquids, explosion protection must be considered when handling acetone. The concentration of acetone vapour in the air must be kept below the lower explosion limit through appropriate room or workplace ventilation. Furthermore, all potential sources of ignition should be removed from the explosion hazard zone. If electrical devices need to be operated inside the explosion hazard zone, they need a special design and approval. The conditions covered by this approval can be found on the identification plate of the individual device.

Intrinsically Safe Systems: Equivalency of International Standards Compared to U.S. Mining Approval Criteria

This paper provides a suitability determination of international standards for evaluating electrical and electronic systems and line powered apparatus as an alternative to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) criteria for two-fault intrinsic safety approval. The primary issue is to demonstrate that international equipment evaluation standards will provide at least the same level of protection for miners as the MSHA requirements. The secondary issue is to identify additional benefits that may be derived from the use of the "entity concept" in the approval process, such as potential cost savings, and an easier and quicker path for the introduction of new technology.

Are Lithium Ion Cells Intrinsically Safe?

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health researchers are studying the potential for Li-ion-battery thermal runaway from an internal short circuit in equipment approved as permissible for use in underground coal mines. Researchers used a plastic wedge to induce internal short circuits for thermal runaway susceptibility evaluation purposes, which proved to be a more severe test than the flat plate method for selected Li-ion cells. Researchers conducted cell crush tests within a 20-L chamber filled with 6.5% CH₄-air to simulate the mining hazard. Results indicate that LG Chem ICR18650S2 LiCoO₂ cells pose a CH₄ explosion hazard from a cell internal short circuit. Under specified test conditions, A123 Systems 26650 LiFePO₄ cells were safer than the LG Chem ICR18650S2 LiCoO₂ cells at a conservative statistical significance level.