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Accident: 202315404 - Employee Burned In Flash Fire

Accident: 202315404 -- Report ID: 0950612 -- Event Date: 05/11/2005
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
11964872305/12/20052869Clontech Laboratories, Inc.
On May 11, 2005, Employee #1 began heating up 16 liters of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in a 5-gallon glass carboy using a hot plate. Employee #1 also used a fume hood, stirrer, and foil in the procedure, placing the foil atop the carboy opening. Employee #1 heated the IPA approximately 4 to 5 hours and observed none of the usual bubbles which appear when heating IPA. Employee #1 then raised the temperature on the hot plate and monitored the situation. At this time Employee #1 was standing in front of the fume hood, approximately 2 feet away, with the sash open. Employee #1 then removed the foil cover over the top of the carboy and within 2 to 3 minutes, the IPA started to bubble over and drip out of the carboy, approximately 5 inches down the sides and onto the hot plate. As Employee #1 attempted to disconnect the power cord to the hot plate, an explosion occurred and orange flames engulfed him. Employee #1 was hospitalized with burns.
Keywords: heat, isopropyl alcohol, fire, chemical
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 119648723 Hospitalized injury Burn(Chemical) Biological and life scientists

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