L-K Log: December 2018 
Safety Season!
December is upon us, and at L-K, that means more than just the holiday season. Amidst the hustle and bustle of meeting deadlines and wrapping up projects, it’s important to schedule safety checks for your work place, equipment, and accessories. We call it Safety Season!
An important place to start looking for safety slip-ups is with your Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.). Safety goggles, gloves, hardhats, masks, Flame Resistant Clothing (F.R.C.), and similar products must be checked regularly for tears, cracks, thinning, and overall wear. As P.P.E. is designed to prevent overexposure to dangerous conditions, it’s critical that these items are in working order. They’re your first line of defense!
Addressing centrifuge accessories is the next logical step in a yearly safety sweep. Inspect all glassware for chips and hairline cracks, including centrifuge tubes, cylinders, thermometers, and hydrometers. Clean excess dirt from all objects, as even small amounts can cause damage. Check ropes, tapes, power cords and the like for fraying and tearing.
Larger equipment, like the centrifuges in the Benchmark Series, should be examined thoroughly. Begin by visually inspecting the product, searching for signs of cracks, accumulated dirt or grease, and any signs of wear. Carefully check the inner bowl. Using gloves, feel cushions and shields for embedded glass, which could cause equipment failure if left in place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Finally, address equipment from the holistic perspective of age and expiration. If any of the pieces are obsolete, check with L-K to see if they can be replaced by newer, more efficient models. If the calibration has expired, contact L-K. We operate MWTX (Miller-Weber of Texas) which conducts on-site manufacturing and calibration of a large variety of thermometers, hydrometers, and centrifuge tubes. Our focus on accreditation and conformance to relevant industry standards ensures that customers have a high level of confidence in all calibrations performed. The in-house ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration Laboratory offers established traceability of measurement standards and assures a sufficiently small measure of uncertainty. Click here to access the Calibration Order Form.
Additionally, our maintenance plans protect customers who have invested in Benchmark Series Centrifuges. Critical to operating longevity is the annual maintenance guaranteed by this plan. Designed to accommodate laboratory users, all scheduled maintenance is performed at the customer site. Alternatively, units can be brought in for service. Maintenance service includes diagnostic checks, tests for continuity, basic cleaning, RPM and temperature verification, rewiring (as needed), balance correction, and cosmetic touch-ups. Schedule your annual maintenance today!