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CA/FACE Report on Pyrophoric Fatality Ucla

DIv CHAS
DIv CHAS

A research associate died from burns caused by a pyrophoric chemical splash at a university laboratory. The associate was extracting t-butyl lithium from a reagent bottle when it splashed onto her clothes and ignited. Pyrophoric chemicals are spontaneously flammable in air. The California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program is investigating to determine the specific actions and conditions leading to the incident. As an immediate prevention step, employers should ensure all researchers follow safe procedures when using pyrophoric chemicals and consider alternative, non-pyrophoric chemicals when possible.

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California Department of Public Health Occupational Health Branch Worker Fatality Alert April 2009 Prevention Points Train and supervise all researchers and staff Laboratory Research on the proper procedures for using pyrophoric chemicals Associate Dies of Consider using other chemicals that are not Burns From a spontaneously flammable in air Pyrophoric Chemical Track the purchase and use of pyrophoric chemicals The California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (CA/FACE) program tracks and investigates cases of fatal injuries at work, and makes prevention recommendations for employers and employees. CA/FACE is investigating the death of a research associate who was working in a biochemistry research laboratory at a major university. The research associate was extracting t-butyl lithium from a reagent bottle. The chemical splashed onto her clothing and ignited, causing serious burns. t-butyl lithium is one of a class of chemicals that are spontaneously flammable in air (pyrophoric). The research associate had recently graduated from a local college and was working for the year while applying to law school. She was working in the laboratory over the December holiday break when the incident occurred. The specific actions and conditions that led to this incident are still under investigation. As an immediate step to prevent future incidents, employers should ensure that safe work procedures are followed by all researchers and their staff when they are using pyrophoric chemicals. When possible, consider using chemicals that are not pyrophoric as this will decrease the risk of a serious injury if an incident occurs. Employers should also consider implementing a chemical purchasing and usage tracking system. This will help keep track of where pyrophoric Note: Example only. Exact setup will depend on specific chemicals are used so that compliance requirements. (Photo provided courtesy of John Palmer of UC San Diego) with training and supervision can be ensured. Guidance on the safe use of pyrophoric organolithium reagents is available: http://membership.acs.org/c/chas/techarchive/organolithium%20paper.pdf. (This is provided as an example only and has not been endorsed by the California Department of Public Health) A complete investigation (#09CA001) of this incident is available at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohb-face/Pages/FACEReports.aspx. The Occupational Health Branch in the California Department of Public Health is devoted to improving worker health and safety through prevention activities. See http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohb

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CA/FACE Report on Pyrophoric Fatality Ucla

  • 1. California Department of Public Health Occupational Health Branch Worker Fatality Alert April 2009 Prevention Points Train and supervise all researchers and staff Laboratory Research on the proper procedures for using pyrophoric chemicals Associate Dies of Consider using other chemicals that are not Burns From a spontaneously flammable in air Pyrophoric Chemical Track the purchase and use of pyrophoric chemicals The California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (CA/FACE) program tracks and investigates cases of fatal injuries at work, and makes prevention recommendations for employers and employees. CA/FACE is investigating the death of a research associate who was working in a biochemistry research laboratory at a major university. The research associate was extracting t-butyl lithium from a reagent bottle. The chemical splashed onto her clothing and ignited, causing serious burns. t-butyl lithium is one of a class of chemicals that are spontaneously flammable in air (pyrophoric). The research associate had recently graduated from a local college and was working for the year while applying to law school. She was working in the laboratory over the December holiday break when the incident occurred. The specific actions and conditions that led to this incident are still under investigation. As an immediate step to prevent future incidents, employers should ensure that safe work procedures are followed by all researchers and their staff when they are using pyrophoric chemicals. When possible, consider using chemicals that are not pyrophoric as this will decrease the risk of a serious injury if an incident occurs. Employers should also consider implementing a chemical purchasing and usage tracking system. This will help keep track of where pyrophoric Note: Example only. Exact setup will depend on specific chemicals are used so that compliance requirements. (Photo provided courtesy of John Palmer of UC San Diego) with training and supervision can be ensured. Guidance on the safe use of pyrophoric organolithium reagents is available: http://membership.acs.org/c/chas/techarchive/organolithium%20paper.pdf. (This is provided as an example only and has not been endorsed by the California Department of Public Health) A complete investigation (#09CA001) of this incident is available at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohb-face/Pages/FACEReports.aspx. The Occupational Health Branch in the California Department of Public Health is devoted to improving worker health and safety through prevention activities. See http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohb