All,
I have worked my entire career in industry but was educated in a univers
ity and continued to take classes and conduct research at a local univer
sity and comment as such.  During my first job I was involved in the des
ign of a new QA/QC/environmental laboratory.  All of our gasses, includi
ng possible future gasses, were placed remotely and piped into the lab t
o all potential use locations.  Oxidizers and fuels were separated into 
separate compartments.
1. Yes, we (some) are ignorant of cylinder safety and hazards.  I receiv
ed my cylinder safety training in my SCUBA diving certification classes 
as a freshman in the late 60's.  I received additional training in my up
per level instrumentation classes though the training was not "formal" a
s known today.  I received additional training during the welding classe
s I took at the local community college.
2. SAFETY Education (including cylinder and high pressure gas use) is a 
must and should begin before anyone is allowed in a laboratory.  But, th
is education must start a the TOP.  ALL PROFESSORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, S
TOREROOM PERSONNEL, AND LAB MANAGERS must be educated and tested first!!
!!  Professors are responsible for their graduate and undergraduate stud
ents.
3.  The various parts of a fume hood (including the airfoil) (or any equ
ipment) were designed and put on the equipment for a reason - they shoul
d not be removed!!!  DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE GAS VALVES AND BARBS IN A
 HOOD ARE FOR????  Try using the equipment!!  If there are no gas valves
 INSTALL SOME!!!
4.  Remember, oxidizer and fuel gases (or potential fuels) must be kept 
at least 50 feet apart according to the OSHA regulations.  No One has me
ntioned this in all the e-mails.
5.  I tell my company's facility managers that the first day a new hire 
is on the job he is no good for production - the entire day should be us
ed for indoctrination including reviewing all safety rules and touring t
he facility pointing out various safety issues and equipment.  This shou
ld be the same for all laboratory classes - the first lab session is dev
oted to nothing but safety, including lecture, demonstrations, videos, a
nd quizzes.
On one has mentioned the use of cyrogenic gas safety.


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