INVESTIGATION REPORT

Investigation Report



Investigation Report

Investigation

The chemical engaged in the occurrence was t-butyl lithium, a clear liquid that spontaneously ignites on communicate with air (pyrophoric). On the day of the occurrence, the victim was working on a research study requiring organic catalytic reactions. The casualty was working throughout the December vacations when most workers were not working in the laboratory. Two other research employees constituents were employed in the laboratory at the time of the incident. The casualty was working under a chemical fume hood with a skidding glass window that allowed use of the hands and arms under the hood while defending the face. The place of the glass window at the time of the occurrence was not known. The hood was plumbed with controller controlled nitrogen gas lines pressurized to one to three pounds per rectangle inch (PSI). The casualty was utilizing a 60-milliliter artificial syringe with a 2-inch, 20-gauge needle to extract a answer of t-butyl lithium and pentane (Aldrich 186198) from a 4 ounce sealed bottle that was pressurized with nitrogen gas. According to the primary researcher, there was a bubbler between the nitrogen gas supply and the reagent container to prevent over pressurization of the reagent bottle. The casualty was wearing security crystal and had on nitrile hand-coverings. She was not wearing a lab outer garment or befitting non-synthetic apparel for employed with pyrophoric chemicals.

The victim acquainted the Los Angeles shire Fire researcher that as she removed the t-butyl lithium from the bottle into the syringe, the plunger came out of the lodgings and the chemical spilled out and ignited. The casualty farther asserted that the t-butyl lithium ignited some hexane that spilled on her clothes and ignited them. It is unidentified if the casualty was utilizing hexane as part of the answer she was performing. A security wash was present in the lab, but was not used by the other study staff constituent who extinguished the blaze on the casualty utilizing his lab coat. The victim was treated at the view by paramedics, and transferred to a localized set alight unit. She sustained approximately 40% total body exterior locality burns of the torso, arms, hands and thighs. She past away of complications of her burns 18 days later.

Cause of Death

The origin of death according to the death credentials was sequel of thermal burns.

Recommendations/Discussion

In alignment to prevent future occurrences, employers with study laboratories should double-check that:

Recommendation #1: ...