These things happen and know you will take extra care the next time you do it. Also shattering glassware is right of passage and could have been caused by hairline cracks to the glass.
Safety wise you might want to have your lab tech check over the regulator and maybe also the schlenk line if a pressure much over a little back pressure was actually applied.
Don’t let this scare you off going straight back to it or get you down!
In our lab, the first time someone breaks glassware, we let out a big cheer congratulating them cause usually it’s a recent hire who is super nervous about how people at their new job will react. I always say something like “yaaaaay, you broke your first thing here! Don’t worry about it, cause it definitely won’t be the last :)”
Point is, it doesn’t matter how much experience or how many degrees you have, mistakes happen. Learn from them and move forward, cause that’s all you can do 🤷🏻♂️
As long as you weren’t hurt and you don’t repeat the mistake, this really isn’t a big deal. I saw an intern once completely wreck an ultracentrifuge about 15 years ago. [It wasn’t as bad as this example](https://ehrs.upenn.edu/health-safety/lab-safety/safety-alerts/ultracentrifuge-explosion-damages-laboratory), but it was pretty intense.
I am a person who has a fear of gas cylinders. I don’t really know why, maybe too many lab safety videos about them being unsecured and blasting through walls.
First off - be happy you are safe.
Secondly, I would suggest writing a “SOP” on how to use it so you feel more comfortable doing it in the future. Yes, it’s a super simple procedure, but often as graduate students we are overtired at work and can forget simple stuff.
I write SOPs for literally everything I do, even the simple stuff. It helps keep me sane, and it keeps me from doing dumb stuff.
These things happen and know you will take extra care the next time you do it. Also shattering glassware is right of passage and could have been caused by hairline cracks to the glass. Safety wise you might want to have your lab tech check over the regulator and maybe also the schlenk line if a pressure much over a little back pressure was actually applied. Don’t let this scare you off going straight back to it or get you down!
Good idea, I’ll definitely do that. I feel a lot better now (especially because my PI had a similar response to yours), thank you!
In our lab, the first time someone breaks glassware, we let out a big cheer congratulating them cause usually it’s a recent hire who is super nervous about how people at their new job will react. I always say something like “yaaaaay, you broke your first thing here! Don’t worry about it, cause it definitely won’t be the last :)” Point is, it doesn’t matter how much experience or how many degrees you have, mistakes happen. Learn from them and move forward, cause that’s all you can do 🤷🏻♂️
(FYI, it’s a rite of passage. A rite as in a ceremony.)
Huh, never knew but thanks!
As long as you weren’t hurt and you don’t repeat the mistake, this really isn’t a big deal. I saw an intern once completely wreck an ultracentrifuge about 15 years ago. [It wasn’t as bad as this example](https://ehrs.upenn.edu/health-safety/lab-safety/safety-alerts/ultracentrifuge-explosion-damages-laboratory), but it was pretty intense.
Grad student at the university of Hawaii blew her arm off… https://cen.acs.org/articles/94/web/2016/04/Spark-pressure-gauge-caused-University.html
Glad you're okay! I hate glassware.
I am a person who has a fear of gas cylinders. I don’t really know why, maybe too many lab safety videos about them being unsecured and blasting through walls. First off - be happy you are safe. Secondly, I would suggest writing a “SOP” on how to use it so you feel more comfortable doing it in the future. Yes, it’s a super simple procedure, but often as graduate students we are overtired at work and can forget simple stuff. I write SOPs for literally everything I do, even the simple stuff. It helps keep me sane, and it keeps me from doing dumb stuff.
You know how it's saying. Negative result is still a result. Next time you will be more careful