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.