Non-routine work authorizations

Non routine work which is conducted in process areas needs to be controlled by the employer in a consistent manner. The hazards identified involving the work that is to be accomplished must be communicated to those doing the work, but also to those operating personnel whose work could affect the safety of the process. A work authorization notice or permit must have a procedure that describes the steps the maintenance supervisor, contractor representative, or other person needs to follow to obtain the necessary clearance to get the job started. The work authorization procedures need to reference and coordinate, as applicable, lockout/tagout procedures, line breaking procedures, confined-space entry procedures, and hot work authorizations. This procedure also needs to provide clear steps to follow once the job is completed in order to provide closure for those that need to know the job is now completed and equipment can be returned to normal. 

In spite of the simplicity of this type of eluant pressurizing system the present author has employed it with considerable success over a period of 15 years not only for teaching but also for non-routine analytical research work. 

In order to become a viable alternative, MIP-based assays need to offer an added value to the conventional antibody-based immunoassays. Some characteristics of the MIP-based assays are summarised in Table 14.1. Superior characteristics of MIPS in comparison to antibodies are observed with respect to chemical, mechanical and thermal stability. The MIPs are compatible with autoclave conditions (120°C, 20 min) and are unaffected by acid and base treatment [7]. In fact, to achieve as complete removal of imprint molecules as possible, in the author s laboratory it is routine to include a wash step with 5 M sodium hydroxide in the MIP synthesis work-up protocol. The possibility of using a wider range of assay solvents, namely both aqueous and organic solvents, enables the solubility of the analyte to be assured and problems with non-specific adsorption minimised. Furthermore, high polymer stability leads to improved shelf life, where the MIP can be stored for several years in the dry state at ambient temperatures. 

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