[Histonet] Alcohol lamps

[Tony Henwood]

There have been incidents of fires at embedding benches, the wax can
ignite (i.e. wax candles).
Also alcohol fires are invisible (refer to your famous NASCARs).

There have been at least 4 that I am aware of in Australia. It is not
something that would be well publicised since it is the embarrassment
that tends to keep it quiet!

Regards

Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC)
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist
The Children's Hospital at Westmead,
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145, AUSTRALIA.
Tel: 612 9845 3306
Fax: 612 9845 3318




-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Peterson, Dan
Sent: Tuesday, 29 July 2008 2:21 AM
To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Alcohol lamps


Fellow Histonetters,
I am in disagreement with our lab's Safety officer with regards to
alcohol lamps. We use them in our embedding area to keep our forceps
clean. The officer says that they're a fire hazard (even though we've
used them without incident for over 30 yrs). There are no flammable
reagents (other than the alcohol in the lamp) near the embedding area. I
know we could use the warming wells on the embedders, but try to find
more that 1 pair of forceps that you like, or better yet, try to find a
forceps that the tech before hasn't left paraffin all over it. (Yes, I
am a fussy old goat, 27 yrs of Histo, with my 1 favorite pair that
NOBODY
touches)
Petty issue? Are there others out there using lamps? I am willing to
change if necessary (or so ordered), but would like to hear from those
who do the work, not be told what to do by those who know nothing of the
work. Thanks in advance!!

Daniel R Peterson HT(ASCP)
Histopathology Section Head
Meriter Laboratories
(608)-417-6557
1dpeterson <@t> meriter.com

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