Use of Flammable Liquid Near Ignition Source

Identifier: Laboratory Safety Incidents (American Industrial Hygiene Association)

At an unnamed laboratory, an individual was decontaminating the surfaces of a clean bench with 70% alcohol while a bunsen burner was lit.  A fire erupted which ended up catching the filters on fire.  Severe damage to the hood and the laboratory occurred in 10 minutes.  Since a fresh supply of air was delivered to the burning filters....you can appreciate the intensity of the resultant fire (aftermath in picture to the left).

At Georgetown University in 2006, a beaker of 70% ethanol was knocked over during a sterilization procedure using a Bunsen burner. Nearby items within the hood caught fire. Lab personnel used an ABC fire extinguisher to address the emergency.

Lesson Learned

The potential costs of such incidents can obviously be great. These costs may be for equipment; but far more importantly, the costs may be our health and safety.

Under no circumstances should flammable materials be used in the vicinity of ignition sources. For initial decontamination of any lab counters, use 10% sodium hypochlorite solution. If determined necessary, a 70% ethanol solution may be used with caution, as a secondary decontamination measure.

Regardless of what is used, exercise the following precautions:

· Cap all flammable materials when not in use.

· When cleaning any benches, keep all Bunsen burners and flammable materials separate from the bench area.

· Disconnect Bunsen burners, hot plates, and other heating equipment when not in use.

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