Lessons Learned

Reports on incidents that involve injury, exposure (real or potential), or significant damage property. Lessons Learned detail what happened and how similar incidents can be avoided in the future.

Superconducting Magnet Explosion

July 31, 2008
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety
What Happened?

A 9.4 Tesla superconducting magnet, used for mass spectroscopy in a campus laboratory recently suffered a catastrophic failure. The incident was apparently caused by over-pressurization and failure of the liquid helium (LHe) chamber. Although there were no injuries because the incident occurred during off-hours, the potential for significant injury due to the venting of LHe into the facility was present. There was also significant damage to equipment associated with the magnet.

A magnet achieves superconductivity (zero resistance to electrical current) when it is...

Vacuum Chamber Over-pressurization

Lessons Learned

Pressurized systems hold a great deal of energy. Over-pressurizing a chamber can cause adverse effects such as the view window rupturing. Care should be taken when returning these to atmosphere.

To prevent similar incidents, follow the recommended guidelines below:

Pressure relief valves and additional personal protective equipment (PPE) can be important safety measures in the event of a system failure. A SOP should be written for hazardous processes based on a hazard analysis.

For additional assistance, contact EH&S at...

Plastic Secondary Container Shatters Due to Dry Ice Sublimation

Lessons Learned

This incident highlights the importance of using appropriate materials to enclose and transport samples alongside dry ice. To prevent similar incidents, follow the guidelines below:

Utilize insulated materials (such as styrofoam) with loose or vented lids when packing samples with dry ice. Do not force open containers that appear to be overpressurized. Wear proper protective equipment when working inside the laboratory or core facilities.

For additional assistance, contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu...

Fall from Fixed Ladder with Grab Bars Results in Injury and Fine (October 2018)

Lessons Learned

In addition to the lessons described in the What Should Have Been Done Differently section, major takeaways are to guard against complacency and to always consider the Integrated Safety Management (ISM) process, even for routine tasks.

For additional assistance, contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-3073, Lessons Learned date: 7.2018