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Laboratory Fire Explosion

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Environment, Health and Safety 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4 ucalgary.ca/safety HAZARD ALERT Subject: Laboratory Fire/Explosion Incident date: January 30, 2015 Incident Summary A fire and subsequent explosion occurred in a lab where a researcher was using a toaster oven in a fume hood to melt paraffin wax. They had noted that the oven was not regulating temperature but left the lab for an extended period of time after closing the fume hood sash. Later, they returned to find that the sash was cracked and the toaster oven was damaged beyond repair. Injuries and Equipment Damage Due to timing, no one was injured as a result of this incident. The fume hood sash was damaged and the toaster oven was destroyed. Importantly, there was potential for a larger fire if flammables were present and/or burning/scalding/lacerations if the incident was not contained in the fume hood. The Immediate and Root Cause(s) were: 1. Using equipment not designed for the intended purpose. 2. Failing to immediately remove from service malfunctioning equipment and inform others. 3. Leaving operations involving heating devices unattended for an extended period of time and leaving unattended operations without notice to others. Requirement(s) for All Laboratories 1. Only use equipment (with CSA markings) which is designed for the operations and hazards involved and operate as per manufacturer’s specifications. 2. Ensure lab personnel are aware of the requirement to remove from service equipment that appears to be malfunctioning and inform others. 3. Implement Unattended Operations policy and guidelines: a. https://www.ucalgary.ca/safety/system/files/labunattendedoperations.pdf b. https://www.ucalgary.ca/safety/system/files/unattendedoperationsguidelines.pdf References • Laboratory Safety Program • Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Rule 2-100 – Each piece of equipment shall bear markings (CSA) necessary to identify the equipment and ensure that it is suitable for the particular installation. • Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Regulation – Part 12(1) Equipment • Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Code – Part 3 Specifications and Certifications