What happened?

A researcher was transporting liquid samples from her laboratory to be analyzed in another laboratory in a nearby building. The buildings were connected by a covered walkway, passing through unrestricted spaces (open to the general public). The samples transported in small, uncovered glass tubes, which were placed in a metal test tube rack. The rack was placed on a hand cart to be rolled through the hallways and walkways to the analytical lab. However, the material did not arrive safely – it ended up on the floor!

What was the cause of the incident?

A wheel on the cart snagged on a loose strand of carpeting, causing the cart to tip over. The contents of the glass tubes spilled onto the carpeted hallway, releasing radioactive material into an unrestricted area.

What should have been done differently?

The radioactive samples should have been placed into double containment. In the event of an accident, the sample may spill inside the container, but not be released and cause a contamination incident. Plastic film can be used to cover the individual tubes, then the rack can be placed inside a box or sealable container.

How can incidents like this be prevented?

In planning your experiments, anticipate the need to use equipment outside of the laboratory, then incorporate the travel safety precautions into your protocol. Acquire the necessary overpack containers and transportation accessories before you begin, so there are no time restraints when you are ready to proceed.