Background
Fume cupboards provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to reduce workers' exposure to airborne contaminants such as hazardous fumes, gases and dusts. When installed and used correctly, contaminants within a fume cupboard are captured at their source and are extracted away from workers.
Recent inspections by the Department identified deficiencies in the inspection, testing, maintenance and use of fume cupboards, including:
- equipment that has not been inspected, tested and/or maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2243.8:2014 Safety in laboratories – Fume cupboards
- equipment that does not work efficiently to capture airborne substances including gases, vapours, aerosols or particulate matter
- the absence of a documented system for the regular maintenance of equipment.
Summary of hazard
- Ineffective ventilation may expose workers to chemical fumes, vapours, gases or dusts.
- Exposure to these contaminants may lead to worker illness or disease.
Contributory factors
- Failure to verify that engineering controls are effective; that is, that the fume cupboard is performing as designed, or provides minimum flow rates.
- Lack of a systematic inspection, testing and maintenance program for fume cupboards.
- Failure to address or rectify deficiencies identified through inspection and testing processes.
- Incorrect storage of items within or adjacent to the fume cupboard that impact the operability of the unit.
- Safe work practices that do not instruct workers to check that the fume cupboard is fit for use before undertaking tasks.
- Poor quality or absence of training for workers on how to operate the fume cupboard effectively, particularly training on how to position the sash when using the equipment.