Close Calls and Incidents


Not Rocket Science: A JHU Safety Note 

posted: May 20, 2022

A researcher spilled beta-mercaptoethanol on their forearm without proper PPE. Learn more about this incident and lessons learned here!

Incident Report: Acryloyl Chloride Spill

posted: October 21, 2021

Spilled chemicals cause inadvertent reaction in flammable materials cabinet.

Incident Report: Waste Container Rupture

posted: October 21, 2021

Unintended reaction leads to rupture of chemical waste container.

Incident Report: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Pressure Vessel Failure

posted: June 28. 2021

Pressure vessel failure event leads to explosion at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Incident Report: Laser Exposure

POSTED: January 13, 2021

Researcher accidentally exposes eye to laser beam after misalignment.

What is a “close call?”

Posted: June 22, 2015

Resources to learn more about close calls.

Close Calls

Posted: October 29, 2020

Understanding, and knowing how to respond to, close calls.

Reporting incidents and close calls–a quick reference sheet

Posted: july 20, 2015

Guide on reporting incidents and close calls.

How to write a Safety Note about an incident or close call

Posted: June 29, 2015

Guide on writing safety notes about an incident or close call to help the wider JHU research community.

Found: “Class 2” laser pointers not as advertised

posted: August 3, 2016

Academic department turns over two laser pointer that put out 10 times the allowable amount of energy.

Incident report: Fire, New Chemistry Bldg (Jun 2015)

posted: September 10, 2015

Researcher accidentally ignites lab wipes and other materials in fume hood following a flame-sealing procedure.

Incident report: Chemical exposure, Croft Hall, Oct 2014

posted: August 17, 2015

Accidental chemical exposure following mislabeling and misplacement of chemical container.

Incident report: Tank damage, Krieger Hall, May 2014

posted: August 10, 2015

During the course of an experiment in a large water tank, researcher accidentally melts plexiglass observation window with incandescent spotlight.

Incident report: Unexpected pressure relief, UTL, Apr 2014

Posted: July 27, 2015

Pressure vessel left in lab overnight undergoes an unanticipated reaction during an evening class causing a rupture of the container.

Incident report: Regulator overpressure, Ames Hall, Feb 2014

Posted: July 13, 2015

Researcher over-pressurizes atomic absorption spectrometer risking the conversion of acetylene from its safe gas state to a potentially explosive liquid state.

Incident report: Remsen Hall, June 2013

Posted: June 15, 2015

Researcher accidentally ignites lab wipe and laboratory waste box during the flame-sealing of a glass tube.

Rockwell laser accident database

Posted: April 27, 2015

Database maintained by Rockwell International shows reported laser incidents.

 


Had a Close Call that you would like to report, review, or submit as a case study to help other researchers avoid pitfalls? Learn more about Close Calls here.