Hazard Alert - Drying Ovens

 Use of a dying oven can potentially lead to a fire.  Some basic steps can be taken to avoid this situation.

1) Start the drying oven early in the day to ensure it has reached temperature and can be checked for stability before you leave work for the day
2) Check the thermostat regularly to ensure it has an accurate calibration
3) If the samples need to be dried over a number of days, start early in the week so it is not left running over the weekend meaning it is unattended for extended periods of time
4) Refer to the manufacturer's manual to determine operating limitations of the oven and have full clear written instructions on how to use the drying oven near by or on the door of the oven
5) If the oven has elements in the bottom of the oven drying area, ensure there is no way for the items you are drying to fall through the shelf directly onto the elements below
6) Ensure the equipment is properly maintained and report any faults to your supervisor immediately so they can be rectified