Explosion of an autoclave in a laboratory

A researcher was conducting an experiment that involved sawdust being heated at pressure using hydrogen gas in an laboratory-scale autoclave.
The gas leaked from the autoclave during the experiment and ignited, causing injuries to the scientist (cuts, bruises and facial burns).
The explosion caused extensive damage to the building, propelling debris more than 20 metres into a garden area.

The INITIATING CAUSE of the leak was probably the over-pressurisation of the autoclave.
From the list of legal modifications requested to the laboratory management, it can be concluded that the ROOT CAUSE was an inadequate risk assessment, a lack of personnel training and of procedures/instructions.

autoclave

The experiment involved sawdust and hydrogen. The goals are unknown.

light injuries to one worker (cuts, bruises and facial burns).
The explosion caused extensive damage to the building, propelling debris more than 20 metres into a garden area.

Penalty of $1.5 million
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has filed four charges , alleging the responsible institution failed in its Work Health and Safety regulation duties.

The legally binding investigation requests included:
- A virtual and augmented reality training package to identify and control work health and safety risks in laboratories, and made publicly available
- Upgrading existing project management systems to include health and safety risk management
- Technical guidance to support hazard identification in high-risk environments for new projects and equipment at CSIRO and across the research industry.