What Happened?
The researcher took 2L liquid, assuming it was water, from the container labelled “EBSO”. She added the liquid in the rotary evaporator. Liquid caught fire, shortly after running the evaporator. Because it was acetone not water in the container. Because she was wearing a mask, she couldn’t smell the acetone. She closed the sash of the fume hood. She activated the fire alarm and alert people. She grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire.
What went right?
- Lab coat, gloves, closed toe shoes, and long pants were worn while working.
- She closed the sash and confined the fire in the hood.
- She alerted people and a lab specialist unplugged the equipment's.
- She could extinguish the fire before it gets bigger.
What should be done differently?
- If a container is not labelled, do not use the material inside. Or, ask first after use it.
What corrective actions have been taken?
- It is checked whether all containers are labelled or not.
- Fume hood is controlled by the supplier company.
How can incidents like this be prevented?
- Always label your containers, samples, chemicals. Even if there is water.
- If the container is not labelled, do not use the material inside. Or, ask first.
- Anything that is not labelled should be disposed of when seen.