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Darwin Awards
2005 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

HydroCarbon explosion

2005 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

The bothced " hydrocarbon safety demonstration" conducted by Dr Ian MacLaine-Cross has made for some explosive viewing with the release of a DVD showing footage of the event. The clip-showing the lead-up, explosion and aftermath of MacLaine-Cross' attempt to show the inherent 'safety' of hydrocarbon refrigerants in vehicles - has been widely circulated among the industry and posted online. While sitting in the driver's seat of a car, the University of New South Wales academic released two aerosol containers containing approximately 343 grams of highly flammable hydrocarbon gas into the passenger compartment and lit a match. This resulted in the gas igniting into a burst of flame blowing out the passenger side front window injuring four observers. MacLaine-Cross suffered first degree burns to his face and ears and second degree burns to the back of his hands. The video includes footage of a rather stunned MacLaine-Cross an other injured on-lookers receiving hospital treatment after the explosion. Three years after the demonstration MacLaine-Cross was charged and convicted by Workcover NSW on two breaches of the Dangerous Goods Act. One the first count he was charged for negligent and careless use of a hydrocarbon gas, in such a manner and circumstance as to cause, or to be likely to case, injury to himself. One the second he was charged with failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons who were affected by his acts and ommissions of work. The video can be viewed on the Australian Fluorocarbon Council's website: www.afcweb.org, "Safety Demonstration Videos"

Submitted on 10/11/2005

Submitted by: Julliette
Reference: Climate Control News Oct 2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Great? 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Awful?
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>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Neutral: Bystanders Hurt
Sorry Juliette, but bystanders were hurt (though not TOO badly; maybe my fellow moderators will let it slide). Too bad, because I otherwise really liked it! You provided a viable link w/video, and a descriptive write-up. The cockiness and overconfidence (not to mention stupidity) displayed right there in front of me made me laugh! MAYBE my fellow moderators will let this one slide, but rules ARE rules. Thank you for submitting this, whatever the outcome! :-)

Jack said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Their server is currently busy, so I'll rely on the submission and James' comments. As the resident "explosives expert," If the observers were in the vehicle then they were volunteers, not bystanders. If they were standing too close to the test vehicle, then they also moved out of the category of "innocent bystanders". As I see it, "bystanders hurt", is meant to for people who are injured because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't think that this applies here.

Sheryl said:
Neutral: Repeat
I thought I'd seen this before. See Uni of New South Wales Safety submitted 09/01/2005. That was a video clip too, probably the same clip. No write up, therefore rejected. I'm of two minds on this one: 1. It's funny and totally stupid. 2. Others were hurt, whether they be innocent bystanders or not. They were told that it was safe so I guess that puts them into the category of innocent bystanders. Thanks for an amusing and informative video, Juliette.

Greg said:
Definitely Toss: Bystanders Hurt
Interesting take on Bystanders from Jack. I agree, but if an academic says "come and look at this, it's quite safe ... trust me!" people often do. So I think the Bystanders really are Bystanders, so I'm going for a Toss (so to speak). Sorry.

Tracy said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I find this quite funny! I don't believe they're bystanders - I think it's a collective HM! Here's a link where he's pleaded guilty to two offences relating to an explosion and resultant injuries stemming from a "safety demonstration" : http://www.fluorocarbons.org/templates/_NewsDetail/index.php?page=65f4c7c703c51d71d1a31d4d0f87d921&detail=1ee4b7216eeb5b7cf2d85e6422bae72b&lang=en&category=SAFETY The guy got it wrong!

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