Static Discharge Causes Explosion
There was an explosion in a University Laboratory in Hawaii earlier this week. Investigators pose that it was resultant of a static discharge in an improperly equipped pressure gauge encasing flammable gases. Investigations are currently underway to firmly conclude that it was pressure gauge, as well as who was at fault for the negligence. There were outlines set by the University of California Center for Laboratory Safety in response to the case in order to instruct other university laboratories about preventing these incidents. The laboratory in question was performing unique experiments in biofuel, yet parameters for their safety regulations were already set in place. Even groundbreaking studies, or studies that are attempting to be groundbreaking are under careful safety scrutiny. An investigative team found their were “serious deficiencies” in the laboratories safety procedures. A researcher named Thea Ekins-Coward was performing the experiments that lead to the explosion, and is currently under investigation for negligence. Running a university laboratory is a highly stress oriented job. The people funding the research demand results in a certain time frame and the desire to appease them in order to keep doing work for humanity’s benefit at times can lead to a lack of thoroughness for safety procedures.
There were safety checks done by the Honolulu Fire Department that found some shortcomings in the Laboratory’s experiments. The fire department noted the pressure gauge–which is the leading cause in the current investigation–was not made to be put under the scrutiny the laboratory was planning to use it for. The negligence lead to the explosion and costed the university thousands of dollars. The pressure gauge allowed for only a tiny amount of static discharge to ignite the flammable gases, and after several experiments a small spark was contributed at the precise wrong time. This sort of chemical volatility is exactly why U.S. HAZMAT Rentals exists. Due to the explosion all labs that deal with flammable or pressurized gases have been shut down, and all research postponed until more safety checks can be performed.
HAZMAT Rentals Prevent and Contain Explosions
Our rentals are engineered with top of the line safety regulations in order to deal with situations exactly like this. If this event in particular, a HAZMAT Rental can still be of use to the University. We are engineered to be quick in our response in delivery time no matter what the occurrence or need may be. We can get a rental to the University with the fastest delivery rates in the business, and give them an area to store their hazardous chemicals of nearly any kind with strict regulations against safety in order to allow repairs to be initiated. In cases without a HAZMAT rental, the storing of these chemicals can be even more dangerous than the initial explosion. Our rentals have climate controlled, explosion proof engineering, and can deal with just about any chemical occurrence found in a laboratory. Not sure about what your chemical storage needs may be? No need to worry, our experts will double and triple check the requirements of your chemical storage and align it with a rental sure to meet your needs. Call in today to speak with our expert staff about your HAZMAT Rental needs for a free consultation.
