Experiment Hazard Class 3 – High Temperatures

Applicability

The hazard controls described herein apply to all experiments that involve heating research samples to elevated temperatures and ambient pressure in a manner that may pose a significant burn or electric shock hazard. Experiments in this hazard class may involve the use of electric furnaces or optical furnaces. Hazard controls, associated with other hazard classes, may also apply to experiments in this hazard class. The following chart illustrates how various situations may require additional hazard controls from other hazard classes:

Situation	Hazard Class
Sample decomposition from excessive heating	Hazard Class #6 - Chemicals
Use of laser(s) to heat sample(s)	Hazard Class #4 - Lasers
Sample(s) heated due to a chemical reaction	Hazard Class #6 - Chemicals
Associated electrical equipment	Hazard Class #12 - Electrical Equipment

Experiment Category

Experiments involving previously reviewed hazard controls are categorized as low risk or medium risk experiments.

Experiments involving new equipment, processes or materials, or modified hazard control schemes are categorized as high risk experiments.

Experiment Hazard Control Verification Statements

Engineered Controls – Proper grounding is needed of any conductive surfaces of the equipment in use. A GFCI may be needed to power a heating system, power supply, or other types of electrical equipment. Verify proper construction and connection of electrical equipment. Provide shielding if needed and use grabber-type hand tools if applicable. The heater may only be used to heat the cell to the temperatures indicated in the ESAF and/or SOP. If the temperature controller does not employ a secondary shutoff, it cannot be run unattended.

Procedural Controls – Follow manufacturer's operating manual when using any commercially manufactured equipment. Allow objects to cool before handling without gloves or tools. Post signage "CAUTION-HOT SURFACE".

Design Reviews – Non-commercially manufactured equipment must undergo a review by the APS before it is approved for use at the APS. Electrical equipment associated with high temperature work must undergo an inspection of equipment by an ANL Designated Electrical Equipment Inspector (DEEI).

Equipment Inspections-

Verify proper grounding of equipment
Verify appropriate functioning of GFCIs before initiating the experiment
Verify that the power source is adequate to provide the necessary amount of electricity to the equipment (i.e. proper voltage & amperage)
Electrical equipment must be labeled or listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) or inspected by an Argonne Designated Electrical Equipment Inspector (DEEI)

Training – Site-specific equipment orientation (provided by host beamline)

Signs and Labeling – Systems with thermally hot surfaces posing a burn hazard must be posted as "CAUTION: Hot Surfaces – Do Not Touch"

Personal Protective Equipment – Safety glasses with side shields, use insulated gloves intended for hot surfaces

Dosimetry and Monitoring – N/A

Experiment Authorization

Unless otherwise noted in the approved experiment safety plan, the PSC Deputy Associate Laboratory Director of Operations delegates the authority to authorize an experiment in this hazard class to a member of the APS Experiment Safety Review Board and resident beamline personnel having the authority to authorize experiments as listed in the ESAF system. Approval by both the host beamline and APS Experiment Safety Review Board are mandatory prerequisites for experiment authorization.

Hazard Control Verification

The PSC Deputy Associate Laboratory Director of Operations delegates responsibility for verifying that required controls are in place to the experiment On-Site Spokesperson and Beamline Management.

References

ANL Electrical Safety Manual (internal link)

Contact the APS User Safety Program with any questions or if the internal links are not working properly.

Reviewed: February 16, 2024