Dear Colleagues,
Jim Petersen forwarded this article to the faculty and staff in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering. This sobering account of the explosion at the University of Hawaii reminds us all of the critical importance of having regular safety inspections in all labs, formal safety training for all people working in labs, and careful and thorough training associated with all laboratory procedures for anyone working in a specific lab. Moreover, for laboratories in which there are potentially serious safety issues, careful consideration should be given to whether researchers should be working alone in those labs.
Please forward this to your students and postdocs, and redouble your efforts to ensure that our researchers operate safely, in laboratories in which all appropriate safety measures and precautions have been taken.
Forwarded Message
Colleagues,
Please note the incident at U. Hawaii in which an individual was seriously injured. (Lab explosion maims University of Hawaii postdoc) This incident is similar to the one at BSEL at the end of last year and is another reminder of the importance of safety in the research laboratory. Unlike the incident at BSEL, however, this incident appears to have been in connection with a biological process and low pressure gasses.
I would ask that you read this article, that you have all researchers who are working in your laboratory read the article, and that you and your students think critically about potential safety issues that may exist in your laboratory.
–Jim
James N. (Jim) Petersen, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering
Washington State University
P.O. Box 646515
Wegner Hall, Room 105
Pullman, WA 99164-6515
Department phone: (509) 335-4332
Direct number: (509) 335-8215
email: jn_petersen@wsu.edu
web: voiland.wsu.edu
Sincerely,
Candis Claiborn
Professor and Dean
Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture