EHS Environmental Health & Safety
Marian University
Chemical Safety Board Safety Bulletin
Accident Description
Three accidents involving methanol which injured children during lab demonstrations are examined by the CSB. All the incidents involved demonstrations of flames – usually with a color additive – using methanol as the flammable liquid. In all three cases there was a flash back to the methanol bulk containers, and fire engulfed members of the viewing audience who were not protected by any physical barriers.
Investigation Status
The CSB's safety bulletin was released at a news conference in Denver, CO on October 30, 2014.
After the Rainbow - video
“After the Rainbow” is a video safety message focusing on preventing accidents in high school chemistry laboratories.
Experimenting with Danger -Video
Accident Description
An explosion severely injured a graduate student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, in the chemistry department during the handling of a high-energy metal compound, which suddenly detonated. Texas Tech had entered into an agreement with Northeastern University, which holds a contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study the high-energy materials.
Experimenting with Danger video 24:04
Preventing Future Laboratory Accidents & Chemical Safety Board (CSB)
There are several ways we can learn about safety information; for example: staying current with the latest trends by reading articles in safety magizines, online topic training, or attending safety related meetings. We can also learn important safety information from the past. Here are examples of incidents that have occured at other schools or universities, that we can gain additional safety insight from. If we apply the lessons learned from these examples, it can help us in preventing these accidents from happening in our laboratories.