The March 16 explosion at a University of Hawaii laboratory that seriously injured a visiting researcher was likely caused by static electricity, according to an independent investigation conducted by the University of California Center for Laboratory Safety.

UH released the findings Friday and has already implemented many of the recommendations made by the four-person investigative team.

“We don’t look at this report as criticism, but as a path forward, not just for us, but for all universities and all laboratories,” said Michael Bruno, UH-Manoa vice chancellor for research.

The explosion occurred in a Hawaii Natural Energy Institute laboratory as postdoctoral fellow Thea Ekins-Coward was working with a mixture of low-pressure hydrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen contained in a portable metal cylinder. Ekins-Coward, who has since returned to the United Kingdom, lost an arm and suffered other injuries in the blast.

The explosion caused $716,000 in damage and cleanup costs for two laboratories and as much as $100,000 in damage to equipment.

After the explosion, HNEI immediately shut down all labs and activities involving high-pressure gases and flammable or explosive materials.

An initial fire investigation placed the blame on a digital pressure gauge in the tank that produced an electrical spark that in turn detonated the flammable gas in the tank.

However, UC investigators determined that the gauge was not inside the tank and that the detonation was triggered by an electrostatic charge, accumulated either by the gas storage tank or by Ekins-Coward herself, that was released when Ekins-Coward touched a metal housing as she attempted to turn off the gauge. The report noted that neither Ekins-Coward, the tank nor the incubator was properly grounded.

UC investigators made the determination despite not being able to replicate the process at a testing facility. Bruno said the same experiment was previously conducted under the same conditions at least 10 times without incident (not including a smaller explosion that occurred while using different equipment).

The report did not find any violations of safety laws or standard protocols, but did set forth several recommendations for enhancing safety at campus research facilities.

Bruno said UH Manoa has already moved on several of the recommendations, including the formation of a safety committee.

“This involves a culture change,” Bruno said, “a cultural move to a ‘Safety is all of us’ concept.”

The UC investigation cost UH $88,000, which was paid through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.

HNEI labs are scheduled to resume regular activity as early as next week, Bruno said.