DCHAS-L Archives Jun 30 2010 - Re: University of MO Lab Explosion

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION. Thanks! =A0 I visited the explosion site yesterday. In my estimation, this could have b een much worse. Luckily it was not and it sounds like everyone will be OK. =A0The MU EHS folks I met were professional and seemed quite competent.=A0 =A0It appeared to me that the university was moving proactively on rebuildi ng the lab. I saw nothing that gave me concern for my safety while I was th ere. =A0 Here's the latest report I've seen: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/06/29/researchers-go-back-wo rk-schweitzer-hall-after-explosion/ =A0 =A0 =A0 Moving now to generalities: =A0 It can be easy in ANY university lab to become complacent to the dangers in the area.=A0It is easy to forget how hazardous the pressure in a gas cylin der can be, or that the gas itself can be=A0flammable, toxic, corrosive etc . when=A0it is inconspicuous sitting in its cylinder in the corner.=A0The s ame goes for the many liquids and solids we keep on the lab bench, cabinets and desktops, often in breakable glass containers.=A0=A0All of these becom e significantly more dangerous during a fire, explosion, tornado, earthquak e, etc when they can also become projectiles. =A0 Thorough training (documented)=A0and communication=A0of hazards and procedu res can help to combat complacency, but=A0it's important to keep in mind th at students and researchers can have a lot of things on their minds and dis tractions, and one mistake can have=A0significant repercussions.=A0 Safety has to be an integral part of what we communicate to students, faculty, and staff. =A0 Keep in mind that gas manufacturers can pre-mix to specifications, allowing much tighter controls on the gas makeup - and from there, tighter control of=A0the=A0atmosphere inside=A0a glove bag,=A0hood, or other gastight enclo sure. It is a good idea to thoroughly flush=A0an enclosure with a neutral g as, like Nitrogen,=A0before adding any potentially flammable components,=A0 exposing the gas mix to=A0the atmosphere outside the bag, and/or after use -always vent to a fume hood, not the room!=A0If you=A0choose to=A0mix the g ases yourself, it is often wise to mix in flammables last - but getting a p remix from a specialty gas lab is a heckuva lot easier, and far more cost e ffective than an incident. =A0 Lastly, These incidents are always a reminder to review your emergency proc edures with everyone who may work in a lab, so that they are all aware of t he hazards and what to do in case of an emergency. =A0 Todd Perkins =A0 =A0 =A0 --- On Tue, 6/29/10, Erik A. Talley wrote: From: Erik A. Talley Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] University of MO Lab Explosion To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 5:49 PM Dr. Jyllian Kemsley from ACS just posted an article with updated informatio n on the University of Missouri and Southern Illinois University laboratory fires: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/88/i27/8827news3.html =A0 =A0 From: Erik A. Talley [mailto:ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 9:50 AM To: 'DCHAS-L Discussion List' Subject: University of MO Lab Explosion =A0 Here is some information about the University of Missouri laboratory explos ion yesterday, including a video of the injured and a photo from inside the lab building: =A0 University of Missouri press release: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2010/0628-statement-3/ =A0 Video: http://www.ky3.com/news/local/97338759.html =A0 Lab picture (provided by the local fire department): http://www.kmox.com/4-hurt-in-explosion-at-Mizzou-building/7574837 =A0 CNN Article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/29/missouri.university.explosion/ =A0 =A0 ____________________________ Erik A. Talley, Director Environmental Health and Safety Weill Cornell Medical College Cornell University 402 East 67th Street, Room LA-0020 New York, NY 10065 646-962-7233 ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu http://weill.cornell.edu/ehs =A0 =A0 =A0 --0-1981419539-1277916293=:76623

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION. Thanks!

I visited the explosion site yesterday. In my estimation, this could h ave been much worse. Luckily it was not and it sounds like everyone will be OK. The MU EHS folks I met were professional and seemed quite compete nt. It appeared to me that the university was moving proactively on rebuilding the lab. I saw nothing that gave me concern for my safety wh ile I was there.

Here's the latest report I've seen:

http://www.columbiamis sourian.com/stories/2010/06/29/researchers-go-back-work-schweitzer-hall-aft er-explosion/

Moving now to generalities:

It can be easy in ANY university lab to become complacent to the dange rs in the area. It is easy to forget how hazardous the pressure in a g as cylinder can be, or that the gas itself can be flammable, toxic, co rrosive etc. when it is inconspicuous sitting in its cylinder in the c orner. The same goes for the many liquids and solids we keep on the la b bench, cabinets and desktops, often in breakable glass containers. & nbsp;All of these become significantly more dangerous during a fire, explos ion, tornado, earthquake, etc when they can also become projectiles.

Thorough training (documented) and communication of hazards and procedures can help to combat complacency, but it's important to k eep in mind that students and researchers can have a lot of things on their minds and distractions, and one mistake can have significant repercus sions. Safety has to be an integral part of what we communicate to st udents, faculty, and staff.

Keep in mind that gas manufacturers can pre-mix to specifications, all owing much tighter controls on the gas makeup - and from there, tighter con trol of the atmosphere inside a glove bag, hood, or oth er gastight enclosure. It is a good idea to thoroughly flush an enclos ure with a neutral gas, like Nitrogen, before adding any potentially f lammable components, exposing the gas mix to the atmosphere outsi de the bag, and/or after use -always vent to a fume hood, not the room! If you choose to mix the gases yourself, it is often wise to mi x in flammables last - but getting a premix from a specialty gas lab is a h eckuva lot easier, and far more cost effective than an incident.

Lastly, These incidents are always a reminder to review your emergency procedures with everyone who may work in a lab, so that they are all aware of the hazards and what to do in case of an emergency.

Todd Perkins

--- On Tue, 6/29/10, Erik A. Talley <ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL. EDU> wrote:

From: Erik A. Talley <ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU& gt;
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] University of MO Lab Explosion
To: DCHAS-L **At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 5:49 PM

Dr. Jy llian Kemsley from ACS just posted an article with updated information on t he University of Missouri and Southern Illinois University laboratory fires :

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/88/i27 /8827news3.html

From: Erik A. Talley [mailto:ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu]
Sent: T uesday, June 29, 2010 9:50 AM
To: 'DCHAS-L Discussion List'
Subject: University of MO Lab Explosion

Here is some informati on about the University of Missouri laboratory explosion yesterday, includi ng a video of the injured and a photo from inside the lab building:< /DIV>

University of Missouri press release:
http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2010/0628-statement-3/

Video:
http://www .ky3.com/news/local/97338759.html

Lab picture (provided by the local fire department):
http://www.kmox.com/4-hurt-in-explosion-at-Mizzou-building/757 4837

CNN Article:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/29/missouri.university.explosion/

__________________ __________
Erik A. Talley, Director
Environmental Health and SafetyWeill Cornell Medical College
Cornell University
402 East 67th Stre et, Room LA-0020
New York, NY 10065

646-962-7233
ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.ed u
http://weill.cornell.e du/ehs

--0-1981419539-1277916293=:76623--

About This Archive \|	DCHAS-L 2010 Index \|	DCHAS-L Yearly Index
Search All Posts: Advanced Search Disclaimer