Division of Research Safety
A unit of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and InnovationUniversity of Illinois
Promoting a culture of safety through the implementation and oversight of comprehensive safety programs, building partnerships, and providing key services.
News
Controlled Substance Program
The controlled substance program is a new tool for UIUC employees who are registered with the DEA and hold a State of Illinois Controlled Substance license to ensure they are meeting all applicable regulations. To find out more information about the program see this DRS Webpage.
Trivia
Q: Inspired by an elephant trunk, who invented the “safety hood and smoke protector”, an early version of a gas mask that saved many people in the early 1900s?
A: Garret Morgan, an inventor in Cleveland who called himself “the Black Edison”.
In the early 1900s workers in tunnels and mines were at constant risk of igniting flammable gas that was naturally present. Accidents killed many as rescuers were overcome by toxic gases, unable to save any survivors, and often perishing as well.
Morgan was inspired by a circus elephant who stuck his trunk out of the hot circus tent to breath in the cooler outside air. Knowing that toxic fumes, especially carbon monoxide tend to linger around the level of a standing person, he invented a mask with tubes hanging near the ground that bring the less polluted air to the person’s head. Morgan used his invention to rescue eight men and numerous more were saved when rescuers began purchasing his device.
Reference
A: Garret Morgan, an inventor in Cleveland who called himself “the Black Edison”.
In the early 1900s workers in tunnels and mines were at constant risk of igniting flammable gas that was naturally present. Accidents killed many as rescuers were overcome by toxic gases, unable to save any survivors, and often perishing as well.
Morgan was inspired by a circus elephant who stuck his trunk out of the hot circus tent to breath in the cooler outside air. Knowing that toxic fumes, especially carbon monoxide tend to linger around the level of a standing person, he invented a mask with tubes hanging near the ground that bring the less polluted air to the person’s head. Morgan used his invention to rescue eight men and numerous more were saved when rescuers began purchasing his device.
Reference
Incidents
Contact DRS immediately to report any incident or near miss (e.g. "close call") at 217-333-2755 or drs@illinois.edu. DRS will complete a follow-up report detailing the events that led to the incident or near miss. For more information see the Incident Reporting and Investigation page.
