Isolate apparatus and hazardous substances in a chemical fume hood.

Safe Operation of Chemical Fume Hoods Chemical fume hoods can also be used to isolate apparatus or chemicals that may present physical hazards to employees. The closed sash on a hood serves as an effective barrier to fires, flying objects, chemical splashes or spattering, and small implosions and explosions. Hoods can also effectively contain spills which might occur while dispensing liquids, particularly if trays are placed at the bottom of the hoods. All high-hazard work and handling of volatile toxic material should be performed in a chemical fume hood.