Source: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/88/i04/8804notw1.html
Lab Safety: Texas Tech examination is first for chemical safety board
A recent accident in a chemistry department laboratory at Texas Tech University will be
investigated by the Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), Chairman
John Bresland announced on Jan. 19. The investigation at the Lubbock, Texas,
university will be CSB's first examination of an accident in an academic research lab.
One student, Preston Brown, 29, was seriously injured in the Jan. 7 accident and
remains in critical condition, according to Eric Finley, a spokesperson with
University Medical Center in Lubbock. Brown is being treated in the hospital's
burn center, where he has been since the accident. Initially, press accounts said
two students were injured; however, university officials say only one was hurt.
Brown received severe burns and lacerations to his face and hands when a mixture of
nickel hydrazine perchlorate exploded during the afternoon accident in Texas Tech's
chemistry building, according to a police report. University officials told CSB the
accident involved the detonation of a high-energy metal compound. Texas Tech, the
board reported, has an agreement with Northeastern University in Boston to study highenergy materials for the Department of Homeland Security.
The board, Bresland says, recently began taking notice of accidents in school research
lab and "wondering how could this happen in an academic lab environment? We are
seeing serious accidents in high school and university labs every year, including a tragic
fatality a year ago at UCLA" (C&EN, Aug. 3, 2009, page 29).
"I believe it is time to begin examining these accidents," Bresland continues, "to see if
they can be prevented through the kind of rigorous safety management systems that we
and others have advocated in industrial settings."
Along with conducting the Texas Tech investigation, Bresland says CSB will collect
information on other laboratory accidents to determine whether a more detailed study of
academic lab safety is merited. This study could occur in the next fiscal year, he says.
Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom, who manages the board's Denver office, will
lead the investigation, along with CSB Investigator Mary Beth Mulcahy, a physical
chemist and a former academic researcher.
In a statement, Texas Tech Vice President of Research Taylor Eighmy said, "We
appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board on the
investigation of this incident. We look forward to completing our own internal
investigation" Of the university's lab conduct, Eighmy pointed out, "Texas Tech is
committed to safe practices and procedures. We have an excellent program in place,
yet we believe this incident affords us an opportunity to proactively look at our safety
training."
The university would not comment on the accident's cause or lab damage, nor would it
provide information on the student.
CSB to Investigate Laboratory Explosion at Texas Tech University
Chemistry Department
January 19, 2010
Investigation Details:
Texas Tech University
Washington, DC, January 19, 2010 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will
investigate the causes of a January 7 explosion that severely injured a graduate student
at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, the CSB announced today.
University officials told the CSB the accident occurred in the chemistry department
during the handling of a high-energy metal compound, which suddenly detonated.
Texas Tech had entered into an agreement with Northeastern University, which holds a
contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study the high-energy
materials.
“We see serious accidents in high school and university labs every year, including a
tragic fatality a year ago at UCLA,” said CSB Chairman John Bresland. “I believe it is
time to begin examining these accidents to see if they can be prevented through the
kind of rigorous safety management systems that we and others have advocated in
industrial settings.”
Mr. Bresland said the CSB planned to collect information on several laboratory
accidents for a future study on the topic. Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom,
who manages the Board’s Western Regional Office in Denver, will lead the investigation,
along with CSB Investigator Dr. Mary Beth Mulcahy, a physical chemist.
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical
accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed
by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including
physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations,
industry standards, and safety management systems.
The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to
plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA
and EPA. Visit our website, www.csb.gov.