Severity
Incident
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
Yes
Incident Date
Aug 05, 2005
Setting
Equipment
- Process Equipment
- Sodium Hydride Container
Damage and Injuries
Probable Cause
Contributing Factors
When Incident Was Discovered
Lessons Learned
Some hydride materials (e.g., sodium alanates) may be rapidly exothermic, even pyrophoric, if exposed to water or humid air or slowly exothermic, even pyrophoric, if exposed to oxygen. Reactive materials, including fine metal powders, should be handled (as in this incident) in an inert atmosphere such as a glove box. The protocol for handling these materials should be incorporated into a standard operating procedure and appropriate safety training conducted for laboratory personnel, including guest staff.
Additional discussion about working with reactive metal-hydride materials in the laboratory can be found in the Lessons Learned Corner on this website and in the Hydrogen Safety Best Practices Manual.
Post date
September, 2017
Key:
- = No Ignition
- = Explosion
- = Fire
- = No Ignition
- = Explosion
- = Fire