Safety Tips to Keep in Mind While Using a Laboratory Oven

Everybody must have heard about an oven. It is an enclosed electrical equipment that produces a desired amount of heat in a regulated manner for cooking and baking. But here in this post, we will talk about the laboratory oven, which differs from the household oven. This heating equipment is used for material processing and research laboratories. They provide a uniform temperature needed by the operators for operations like heating, baking, sterilizing, and evaporating processes, among others. The lab oven can produce temperatures of 300 °C.

Though it is quite a useful tool, the operator needs to handle it with care. Drying, annealing, and baking products and chemicals involve heating at a high temperature. So, carelessness and any error during the operations can lead to a fire breakout, blasts, or other such accidents. It is essential to follow some safety protocols that will protect both the users and the lab.

Understand the Laboratory Oven:

You know what the best way to stay safe while operating any equipment is. Understand it and its functions. You can start by reading the manufacturer’s manual, as they know their machinery. They will be able to provide a better insight. The lab ovens are available in different models, sizes, temperature limits, and safety guidelines. So you need to understand the oven features and seek proper training if the oven is advanced. Better perform the operations under expert supervision if needed.

Wear Protective Gear:

It is vital to wear personal protective gear (PPE) when using a lab oven. Here are at least some of the safety gear that you must wear:

• Heat-resistant gloves to ensure that the hands do not get burned.
• Wear a lab coat to prevent exposure of skin to harmful gases or chemicals.
• Closed-end shoes protect the feet.
• Safety goggles protect sensitive eyes from toxic gases or chemical spills.

Apart from the above-mentioned safety gear, you should also wear a mask depending on the kind of product you are dealing with. If you are working with chemicals or gases whose toxicity level is high, then you should wear a respiratory mask, so that you do not inhale deadly gases released into the air.

Being Mindful of Products Being Processed:

The lab ovens are mostly used for highly volatile and flammable products. So, it is essential to be cautious of the products that you are placing inside. Like flammable products, air-tight containers can explode due to pressure, plastic items, and materials that emit toxic fumes in extreme heat. When using the lab ovens, place inside only such raw materials that are heat-proof and non-reactive at high temperatures.

Overloading:

Adding the raw materials to the capacity of the oven can lead to blocking of the airflow, thus obstructing the operations. It can also lead to malfunctioning of the oven and sudden temperature rise. So, always go through the user manual of the manufacturer to understand the capacity of the machine and place the products to maintain an even space for airflow. Adding stainless steel or other heat-resistant racks will make the job easier.

Inspection & Cleaning:

Any equipment can prove to be cost-effective, serving you in the long run if you do inspections and cleaning of the heating equipment. After the operations, remove the racks and other removable parts of the oven to check for wire tension, chemical spills, and leakages. For maintenance, turn off the oven and let it cool down. Use only the manufacturer's recommended cleaning agent to avoid damaging the components of the heating oven.

Temperature Regulation:

It is essential to regulate the temperature, or it can cause serious mishaps. Do not exceed the temperature more than what is recommended by the manufacturer. It can blast the oven or even cause a fire outbreak. Many of the labs have digital temperature regulations and security alarms, which can alert people in case of risk. You can use the digital temperature displays to keep the temperature in check.

Ventilation:

The lab's oven often releases toxic fumes when heating certain sensitive materials. Thus, use the oven in a well-ventilated area. You can also use a fume hood to ensure that the toxic fumes are not spread all over the place, causing difficulty in breathing. A ventilation system will ensure that the poisonous gases do not accumulate in one place, causing suffocation.

Keep an Eye on the Oven:

Many of the ovens are processing reactive chemicals for a long period. So keep an eye on the operations. Long operations that are left unattended can lead to mishaps. So, if it is possible, schedule the right temperature during working hours. You do not want to enhance your cost of operations by careless actions that can cause a mishap.

Final Words…

The laboratory ovens are powerful tools as they work under high pressure and temperature. Thus, it is advised to handle the equipment and operations with care. Carelessness during operations can lead to accidents. The attention to detail during the production process can help, and hopefully, this blog will also help ensure smoother operations.

Patel Heaters & Control Pvt Ltd has an advanced level of laboratory ovens that are developed with the help of experts. The selection of the highest quality materials and cutting-edge technology is the reason why it is great in terms of quality and the manufacturer’s favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Usage of a Laboratory Oven?

The laboratory oven is a thermal equipment that provides uniform heating to the given product. It is used for heating processes like annealing, drying, and sterilizing.

What is the Maximum Temperature of the Laboratory Oven?

The laboratory oven is available in different specifications and goes up to the temperature of 400°C to 600°C. You can choose the one according to your requirements.

What are the Best Tips to Enhance the Durability of the Laboratory Oven?

• Clean the interior as well as the exterior components of the laboratory oven.
• Inspect the heating elements for any damage.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for maintenance and inspection.