Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:21:25 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Christopher Suznovich <snuz**At_Symbol_Here**MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Chemistry Dept Lab Safety course
In-Reply-To: <OFD12E873D.24D0545F-ON8525766B.006790A1-8525766B.0067E27C**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu>

The mandatory safety training should be required, but I don’t think it garners a credit.  For both my undergrad and grad days, every lab course started with a lab safety overview and if we had to work a reagent with particular handling requirements, those would be discussed before we started our experiments.  Also, one thing to be considered is when the course would be taken.  Would it be in conjunction with lab courses the same semester or a pre-requisite before any student could begin lab based courses and/or research?  I would consider too expanding it to undergrads and research students who can also be accident prone.

You could consider instead of creating a course from scratch, contracting an online training company that can provide either a general or customized e-course or modules for your department and/or school (biology, engineering, and first responders).  This would allow completion of the safety training the first few days of classes and before any lab work begins.  The cost can be added into the fee for the lab or course depending on how your university bills.  You can checkout Convergence, I have only reviewed their site, but am recommending them to be reviewed by my company for our training needs.  They offer as one of their options, a Server solution, it is completely customizable, web based,  (http://www.thinkconvergence.com) They offer training on many areas so it could cover many departments.

Chris Suznovich


From: Kim Auletta <kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**NOTES.CC.SUNYSB.EDU>
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:56:06 -0500
To: <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Chemistry Dept Lab Safety course


Mary Ellen - It was actually a total surprise to me!!! I've talked about this type of class for years with the Chem & Eng depts, & all agreed it sounded like a good idea but no one was committed to it. Then suddenly, out of the blue, the Chem Chair stopped me in the hallway (a chance meeting in a building neither of us work in) to tell me he just came from the Provost's office & was discussing this course that he needed my help with!! When I figure out HOW it happened (I think it was sort of like becoming famous overnite after working at something for 15 years), I'll let you know. Maybe they got tired of me coming there every week lately for another grad student accident?

Kim Auletta
Lab Safety Specialist
EH&S    Z=6200
Stony Brook University
kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu
631-632-3032
EH&S Web site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/ <http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/>

Remember to wash your hands!


From: Mary Ellen A Scott <mas35**At_Symbol_Here**CASE.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Date: 11/11/2009 10:40 AM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Chemistry Dept Lab Safety course
Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>



I am hoping to get this idea through at our Chemistry department for starters also -- any hints on how you actually pushed the idea through?

On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 9:14 AM, Kim Auletta <kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu <mailto:kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu> > wrote:

Our Chemistry Dept. is considering a mandatory 1 credit Master's level Lab Safety Course!!! I know you're all as excited about this as I am! Its especially interesting that this came up the same week that a chemical company rep on this list (who we happen to by A LOT of chemicals from!) said that they will reconsider the safety-ability of their new hires directly from academia.

I've been asked to help develop & provide material for the course. They want it to be an on-line course required for all graduate level Chem majors. I'm looking to all of you for input on what should be included! They envision this course to meet the ACS accreditation requirements and go beyond my OSHA CHP training. You can post to the list or email me directly. I'll compile & post the final results to this list. Thanks in advance for your help.

1. Is your college/university offering or requiring an academic lab safety course (above & beyond the OSHA & EPA requirements)?  If yes, how is it delivered (live vs. on line)? How many credits? Can you share your syllabus?


2. What topics do you think should be included?


3. Since this is to be an on-line course, do you know of any videos, etc. that could be used to demonstrate techniques (eg - as suggested by the recent tubing removal discussion)?


4. Any other advice?

Kim Auletta
Lab Safety Specialist
EH&S
Stony Brook University
kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu <mailto:kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu>
631-632-3032
EH&S Web site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/ <http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/>

Remember to wash your hands!

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