That's not the case in our department, probably because I am the safety coordinator for chemical engineering. The reason my department hired me is two-fold. Engineers deal with a huge variety of potential safety issues due to the broad scope of the field combined with the need for industrially relevant applications. Chemical engineering includes control and development of all processing from biological to fuels to separations to chemistry. In engineering, it is paramount that safety is incorporated during the design phase of experiments. To do this effectively there needs to be a focus on a collaborative approach by safety personnel rather than just pointing out issues. A lot of what we do in our department may also be time sensitive due to industrial relationships. Having someone, who is solution oriented, which PI's and graduate students can contact during the planning stage and before research is implemented is crucial to a good safety program.

Tammy Rechtin
Chemical Engineering Safety Coordinator
University of Arkansas

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of McCoy, Susan
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:34 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pattern? Chemical Safety headlines

OH yes, our last three accidents have been inappropriate handling of chemicals in an engineering labs by graduate students .

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Wilhelm, Monique
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 7:15 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Pattern? Chemical Safety headlines

It seems to me that a lot of the chemical safety incidents that I read about are in engineering departments...has anyone else noticed that? If so, how can we do better outreach to them to help reduce some of the issues?

Monique Wilhelm
Laboratory Manager
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan " Flint

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of DCHAS Membership Chair
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 7:50 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (8 articles)

Article summaries are also available at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__pinboard.in_u-3Adchas&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=w7aU15hPqMVk2pcZnVW-eVu3JqHdnx7nCUNI6MVO7oc&e=

Table of Contents (8 articles)

TWO DEAD AFTER CARBON MONOXIDE INCIDENT
Tags: us_GA, public, release, death, carbon_monoxide

PATIALA: 3 KILLED, 11 FALL ILL AS AMMONIA LEAKS AFTER CYLINDER BLAST
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, ammonia, gas_cylinders

WEST: NURSING HOME SETTLES FERTILIZER EXPLOSION LAWSUIT
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems

BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD AUTHORIZE U.S. EPA TO RATCHET DOWN HFCS
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, hvac_chemicals, ozone

CAL STATE FULLERTON STUDENT SUFFERS CHEMICAL BURNS DURING ENGINEERING LAB EXPERIMENT
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, release, injury, unknown_chemical, illegal

ONE DIES, ANOTHER INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT FIREWORKS UNIT
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, fireworks

WORKERS IN NAIL BARS PUTTING HEALTH AT RISK WITH CHEMICALS
Tags: Ireland, industrial, discovery, response, dust, formaldehyde

SITE RESTORATION OF GAS RIG EXPLOSION NEAR QUINTON ADVANCES, INCLUDING CLEANUP OF DIESEL THAT LEACHED INTO CREEK
Tags: us_OK, industrial, follow-up, environmental, natural_gas

---------------------------------------------

TWO DEAD AFTER CARBON MONOXIDE INCIDENT
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__savannahnow.com_crime-2Dcourts_news_2018-2D02-2D20_two-2Ddead-2Dafter-2Dcarbon-2Dmonoxide-2Dincident&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=oEd9p6WMzjp_djIQB4c2c-ZokuY9umaO6k6E0LO22lE&e=
Tags: us_GA, public, release, death, carbon_monoxide

Two people have died after a carbon monoxide incident in the 2200 block of North Fernwood Drive on Tuesday, Deputy Chatham County Coroner Sarah Smith said.

Savannah police spokeswoman Bianca Johnson said officers located Martha Brown, 91, and her son John Duncan, 70, deceased in a back room of the home.

Savannah Fire"s Rescue 2 team arrived at 4:28 p.m., SFES spokeswoman Jenel Few said. Firefighters entered the home and found the residents in a back bedroom, but they were not responsive and could not be moved, Few said.

The Hazmat Team was called in to conduct an air test in the home, which determined that the carbon monoxide level was dangerously high, at 900 parts per million.

---------------------------------------------

PATIALA: 3 KILLED, 11 FALL ILL AS AMMONIA LEAKS AFTER CYLINDER BLAST https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__timesofindia.indiatimes.com_india_patiala-2D3-2Dkilled-2D11-2Dfall-2Dill-2Das-2Dammonia-2Dleaks-2Dafter-2Dcylinder-2Dblast_articleshow_63005759.cms&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=9Fkuyq9Xt_PFkQB_UERicA_YXnnP8zm4RLiWsLzFB6o&e=
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, ammonia, gas_cylinders

SANDHARSI (PATIALA): Three people were killed and 11 injured after inhaling ammonia gas, which leaked when a massive cylinder storing the chemical exploded outside a food processing unit near Sandharsi village on Ghanaur-Shambhu road on Tuesday. The victims were working in the unit when the explosion occurred due to a sudden rise in pressure inside the ammonia cylinder.
The three deceased - Surinder Kumar (42), Charanjit Singh (22) and Gurjinder Singh (19) - were near the cylinder when it exploded around 1.30am. They ended up inhaling a huge quantity of the gas, which quickly spread to other areas of the unit. Out of the 11 injured people undergoing treatment at Government Rajindra Hospital, four are critical.
Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force were pressed into action following the leak, while chemical experts from National Fertilizers Limited rushed to the spot and secured the vicinity by 12.30pm. The response team carried an elaborate inspection of pipes inside the unit and sealed all joints, since the cylinder was linked to other containers by metal pipes. Fire tenders and senior officials of the police and district administration also visited the spot. CM Amarinder Singh ordered a magisterial probe, promised to provide free treatment for the injured and declared an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased. He also directed Patiala DC Kumar Amit to oversee the rescue and relief operations.

---------------------------------------------

WEST: NURSING HOME SETTLES FERTILIZER EXPLOSION LAWSUIT https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.kwtx.com_content_news_West-2DNursing-2Dhome-2Dsettles-2Dfertilizer-2Dexplosion-2Dlawsuit-2D474649393.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=u-HMfFp9kuMuYD_KDdjvZInNySv1mom6aHfGp5nKg3I&e=
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems

WEST, Texas (KWTX) West Rest Haven nursing home has settled a lawsuit it filed in the wake of the April 17, 2013 explosion that leveled the facility.

Details of the settlement that named fertilizer manufacturers CF Industries, El Dorado Chemical Company and the International Chemical Company, were not disclosed.

The explosion at the West Fertilizer Company killed 15, injured more than 200 and leveled homes and businesses.

The blast displaced all 133 residents in the 145-bed nursing home facility.

The nursing home has been rebuilt and re-opened in 2015 with 120 beds and 116 residents.

---------------------------------------------

BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD AUTHORIZE U.S. EPA TO RATCHET DOWN HFCS https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__cen.acs.org_articles_96_i9_Bipartisan-2Dbill-2Dauthorize-2DUS-2DEPA.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=GOktkxOx6wHFcQo1zIsOOWNWPgpQZN2158SI9VUeNuU&e=
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, hvac_chemicals, ozone

Manufacturers of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), a new generation of refrigerants that have very low potential to cause global warming, are getting a boost from U.S. Congress.
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are backing a bill (S. 2448) that would authorize EPA to ratchet down the production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of refrigerants that are potent greenhouse gases. HFOs are beginning to replace HFCs in vehicle air conditioners, store refrigerators, and vending machines.
EPA restricted the use of HFCs and refrigerant blends containing HFCs in a 2015 rule. But Mexichem Fluor and Arkema, which make HFC-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), challenged the regulation. HFC-134a has long been used as a refrigerant in car air conditioners.
A federal court sided with the two companies last year. It faulted EPA for basing the regulation on part of the Clean Air Act authorizing the agency to require replacement of compounds that deplete stratospheric ozone with safer substitutes. HFCs, which don"t hurt the Earth"s protective ozone layer, were developed as substitutes for hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which do.

---------------------------------------------

CAL STATE FULLERTON STUDENT SUFFERS CHEMICAL BURNS DURING ENGINEERING LAB EXPERIMENT https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__dailytitan.com_2018_02_cal-2Dstate-2Dfullerton-2Dstudent-2Dsuffers-2Dchemical-2Dburns-2Dengineering-2Dlab-2Dexperiment_&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=A9z2EfBVbu7KsWlb49fOoCKXnW7Q_tT1WC7JbdfCU1w&e=
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, release, injury, unknown_chemical, illegal

A 24-year-old male Cal State Fullerton student received chemical burns Friday while conducting an experiment in an outdoor lab on the north side of the engineering building. It left a "pungent" white cloud of smoke wafting over two buildings on campus.

The burns were minor, leaving only some redness and blistering on the student"s forearms, some discoloration on his beard and holes in his T-shirt, which did not appear to affect his chest, said University Police Capt. Scot Willey.

"Something went wrong with the concoction they were using. I guess they were using more than they had the last time, and it reacted," Willey said.

The white smoke cloud, which possibly entered the ventilation system, was brought to the attention of University Police officers at about 12:35 p.m. by a professor and President Fram Virjee.

No 911 call was made and Willey did not know what substance the students were working with.

"The fire department just figured we needed to keep the buildings evacuated, open some windows and doors and let everything air out," Willey said. "We"ve got this contracted company that came out that night and cleaned up within an hour."

The affected student washed himself off in a nearby bathroom and told officers that he was okay when they arrived, Willey said.

However, officers and the fire department felt it was necessary for the student to receive further examination, and he was brought to the UC Irvine Medical Center.

He was treated there and released, Cook said in an email.

There was nothing criminal or negligent behind the incident, Willey said, but information was provided to Engineering and Computer Science Interim Dean Susamma Barua and professors to ensure that proper safety measures are in place and adhered to in the future.

Willey did not know whether the group was supervised at the time of the incident.

"It was a group from a class," Willey said. "I believe what they were doing is something that they"re allowed to do, I just don"t know that they were supposed to be doing that without supervision."

He was also unsure whether the outdoor laboratories used had chemical wash stations readily available.

---------------------------------------------

ONE DIES, ANOTHER INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT FIREWORKS UNIT https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__timesofindia.indiatimes.com_city_madurai_one-2Ddies-2Danother-2Dinjured-2Din-2Dexplosion-2Dat-2Dfireworks-2Dunit_articleshow_62989835.cms&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=aFlrXLwyFobsp2zYe5ViTMhiLailltPWO7A6faaYRCE&e=
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, fireworks

MADURAI: One worker was killed and the foreman of the factory sustained severe burn injuries in a blast at a fireworks making unit at Kundalapatti in Amathur police limits of Virudhunagar district on Monday evening. The blast reduced seven buildings to rubble and torched 23 buildings inside the factory premises.
Considering the structural damage that the factory suffered, the workers had a providential escape since it happened when the shift was almost winding up around 5 pm. Most workers had left while the remaining ones got the time to flee on hearing the blast, police sources said.
Police were still trying to ascertain the identity of the dead worker or woman who was charred beyond recognition in the accident that occurred in one of the chemical mixing rooms. The injured has been identified as A Prabhu, 50 from Sidhurajapuram in Sivakasi, foreman of the unit. He had sustained nearly 60 percent burn injuries and was rushed to the centre of excellence to treat burn injuries at Sivakasi Government Hospital. Police suspect that careless handling of "manimarundhu" (pellets made of chemical cocktail that gives colourful effects to fireworks) would have triggered the accident since the workers were winding up the shift. Prabhu might have been supervising the final leg of works before closing down the factory.

---------------------------------------------

WORKERS IN NAIL BARS PUTTING HEALTH AT RISK WITH CHEMICALS https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.irishtimes.com_news_health_workers-2Din-2Dnail-2Dbars-2Dputting-2Dhealth-2Dat-2Drisk-2Dwith-2Dchemicals-2D1.3397908&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=e3O005XEh-lKAoE61AbTYcu4xmPKvGufX7MmWg7i2Uc&e=
Tags: Ireland, industrial, discovery, response, dust, formaldehyde

Workers in nail bars are putting their health in danger through poor understanding of the risks of handling certain chemicals used in the sector, the health safety watchdog has warned.
The Health and Safety Authority has published guidance on chemical health and safety in such businesses and said the findings of inspections it had carried out indicated a poor understanding of the risks. It also noted a lack of standardised qualification for the work being carried on in nail bars.
It warned that as well as the risk of severe skin reactions such as dermatitis from liquid and powder acrylic nail systems, the fumes could cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and irritation. The filing of artificial nails could cause asthma, it said.
Formaldehyde in nail strengtheners could also cause cancer and was suspected of causing genetic defects. Another chemical used to stop nail polish cracking was banned in Europe and was dangerous for pregnant women.
A total of 15 inspections were carried out in the nail bar industry by its occupational hygiene inspectors as part of the chemicals programme of work last year.

---------------------------------------------

SITE RESTORATION OF GAS RIG EXPLOSION NEAR QUINTON ADVANCES, INCLUDING CLEANUP OF DIESEL THAT LEACHED INTO CREEK https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.tulsaworld.com_business_energy_site-2Drestoration-2Dof-2Dgas-2Drig-2Dexplosion-2Dnear-2Dquinton-2Dadvances-2Dincluding_article-5F73059745-2D7d9a-2D593d-2Db391-2D3af16305b364.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=7ypwAowFJ8v-mw8AB-SdSueVQgSDL4HiiSaLK01W8HA&r=d7KVbmEmi10Nx_EUl4RMpyG6Rf1Fc1Ypyuy2Bh2hiww&m=fslYI9-sEFqE8vNGN09gteCc947lil4QivpmqA3CufE&s=zWtLbq4VGb7bhqx7HqxKz4BNLeJhyXDB6XPKsSTI1es&e=
Tags: us_OK, industrial, follow-up, environmental, natural_gas

The site cleanup of the natural gas drilling rig that exploded near Quinton is advancing, with waste disposal mostly complete and the majority of the apparatus removed from the wellhead area, according to the latest updates from state regulators.

Diesel leached into a creek during a "soil farming" operation, according to a Jan. 24 entry in the Corporation Commission"s updated incident complaint investigation report. The agency recommended removal of all contaminants and testing of soil samples from the creek bed to determine the extent of the pollution.

"Build a secondary berm and add agricultural lime to solidify diesel in area," the OCC report recommended, noting it will continue to monitor the cleanup.

Soil farming is the practice of applying drilling fluids or produced wastes to land for the purposes of disposal.

Five workers were killed Jan. 22 when an uncontrolled release of gas from the well ignited in a fiery explosion. One worker was injured and 17 escaped the blast. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, OSHA and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are investigating the matter.

---------------------------------------------

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post