A recent incident resulted in the destruction of valuable scientific studies in the city of Troy, Michigan (USA), due to a persistent alarm. It turns out that a janitor who worked at a local laboratory found himself involved in a legal battle after inadvertently turning off a freezer.
The problem is that the equipment held years of research, and its shutdown resulted in loss of decades of workcausing damages estimated at at least US$1 million (equivalent to R$4.78 million) to the institution.
The freezer, located in the laboratory at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), contained cultures of cells and crucial research samples stored at extremely low temperatures of -112°F (-80°C).
Unfortunately, when the Daigle Cleaning Services employee turned off the circuit breaker, temperatures in the unit rose to -25.6°F (-32°C), causing irreparable damage to the materials.
Incessant whistle
The most frustrating aspect of this situation is that the caretaker could have stopped the alarm without turning off the Freezer if he had read the informational plaque on the door. The plaque, written in bold, capital letters, provided clear instructions for temporarily silencing the alarm without unplugging the unit.
Unfortunately for many, the caretaker did not follow the instructions and tried to solve the problem by turning off the electrical circuit breakers.
Image: depositphotos/Reproduction
Following the incident, the worker was interviewed by RPI security staff. Although he admitted to hearing the alarms during the night, he attempted to resolve the issue himself, resulting in the accidental disconnection of the power.
The investigation report noted that the caretaker appeared to believe he was just trying to help, not realizing the damage being done.
RPI attorney Michael Ginsberg estimates it would cost about $1 million to recreate the lost research, which explored the field of photosynthesis and its potential impact on the development of solar panels. The lawsuit seeks unspecified financial compensation.
The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the damage that can occur when instructions are not followed carefully. The loss of decades of scientific work valuable highlights the importance of attention to detail and clear communication in research and laboratory environments.
