Hi

I have been following this discussion and would also be interested in the materials you have included.  Currently I am the science department CHO at our small catholic liberal arts university but have been called upon to help manage safety in other university areas as well.  My other role is chemistry department lecturer and as we plan for course schedules for the 2010-2011 year I would love to add a 1 credit hour required course on safety required for all science majors.  I will also be organizing and hosting a workshop in the spring for one of our local college groups ACCA –ASSOCIATED COLLEGES OF THE CHICAGO AREA on safety in academia.  If you would give me permission to use, at least  in part,  your materials I would so greatly appreciate this.

Kathleen Schmidt-Nebril, NRCC-CHO

Lecturer Chemistry Division

Department of Natural Science

Dominican University

River Forest, IL 60305

708-524-6533

Hi Kim - I have been teaching a Chemical Safety Course for 3 years now.  We have not yet made it mandatory for our majors, but are considering it.  I presented the course as a workshop at the 2008 CSHEMA conference.  I have lots of materials (slideshows, etc) if you are interested.  The materials are specific for our university and state, so there would have to be some modification for other institutions and states.  The main thrust of the course is the development of a "Safety Culture" for the next generation of students working with chemicals and teaching students how to locate information.  Both of these things will serve students well in academics or industry.  I also welcome students from Art, Technology, and any of the sciences.  I will be converting this to an online course and, in fact, already have some on line materials in the course.  My current course is 1 credit and we meet 1 hr/week. 

I do things like have students create an MSDS for a chemical where they are the manufacturer.  I have students risk assessment report for an experiment.  We do walk through inspections (this is not possible online or with a large class).  Use CSB videos for case studies.

Particularly helpful sites for teaching:
NOAA's site CAMEO Chemicals - http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/< /a>
NIH's ChemIDPlus Advanced - http://chem.sis.nlm.nih. gov/chemidplus/
CSB's site - http://www.chemsafety.gov /default.aspx?

I would be happy to share slideshows if you are interested.

Below is an excerpt from my syllabus.

Course Description: This course will focus on safety education for students perusing careers in fields where chemicals and chemical processes are involved.  As recommended in the ACS statement, “Safety and Safety Education” (Committee on Professional Training in the Undergraduate Professional Education in Chemistry: Guidelines and Evaluation Procedures, Topical Supplements to the Guidelines), safety must be an integral part of the chemistry curriculum.  In this course, we will address the areas of Safety Awareness, Health and Safety Information, and Safety Procedures and Processes.  The primary focus of the material presented will be on directed toward best practices in the academic laboratory and The Laboratory Standard. Course methods will involve lecture, AsULearn, on-site laboratory observations, and guest speakers when possible. Prerequisites: Chem1101& 1110 OR Instructor permission.

Text and Readings

• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals (The National Academies Press)
• Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, 7th Edition, Volume 1, Accident Prevention for College and University Students, by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Chemical Safety
• Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, 7th edition, Volume 2, Accident Prevention for Faculty and Administrators, by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Chemical Safety
• The NIOSH Online Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Course Topics (as time permits)

• Safety Agencies – An Overview
• A Culture of Safety
• The Laboratory Standard 29 CFR 1900 1450
• The Chemical Hygiene and Emergency Response Plans
• Health and Hazards
• The Material Safety Data Sheet
• Labeling and Inventory Control
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Safe Solvent Handling
• Safe Processes
• Hazardous Waste Procedures

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Kim Auletta 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
631-632-3032
EH&S Web site: http://www.st onybrook.edu/ehs/lab/

Remember to wash your hands!