Why are they hazardous?

Hazards will vary, and may or may not be predictable – for instance:

  • The sudden implosion of glassware under vacuum releasing shards of flying glass causing skin wounds and eye injuries.
  • The release of a spring under compression triggering a fast-moving mechanism trapping fingers or hands.
  • The failure of a container under pressure resulting in a sudden release of the gas or liquid contained inside, which could be toxic, corrosive or flammable.