Key Lessons for Preventing Incidents from Flammable Chemicals in Educational Demonstrations

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Accident Description
Three accidents involving methanol which injured children during lab demonstrations are examined by the CSB. All the incidents involved demonstrations of flames – usually with a color additive – using methanol as the flammable liquid. In all three cases there was a flash back to the methanol bulk containers, and fire engulfed members of the viewing audience who were not protected by any physical barriers.

“After the Rainbow” is a CSB video safety message focusing on preventing accidents in high school chemistry labs

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Investigation Status
The CSB’s safety bulletin was released at a news conference in Denver, CO on October 30, 2014.