Interesting discussion. I'd like to compile a list of excuses we've all heard when chemistry laboratory students choose not to comply with the instructor's safety precautions. Like many of us, I taught General Chemistry for several years and I've heard plenty of memorable student responses. My favorite: "Why you always hassling me!?!?" Just reply to me on this, with a one-liner - not the entire group - and I'll share the results in a day or so. Thanks, Eric Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM Safety & Compliance Officer Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory >>> Rita Kay Calhoun3/8/2010 10:20 AM >>> Would one of you please explain to me the dermal hazard associated with determining the volume of a drop of water? Or perhaps the density of a saline solution? As I said in my original response there is guidance given to the students in their risk assessment. And if their assessment is inadequate, there is "You will wear gloves, period". When students understand, they are much more likely to comply. When they see the rules as simply something People-in-Authority impose because they're in authority and want control, the students try to get away with not complying. I do teach your children safety. I also try to teach them to think. The most important safety rule you can learn is to think. Everything else flows from that. Kay Calhoun From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Moorefield, Mubetcel Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 7:44 AM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] GLOVES IN STUDENT LABS I am surprised to see there is even a discussion of whether to ask the students to wear gloves or not. That is probably why even the chemists who graduate with PhD in chemistry have hard time following those simple safety rules when they get a job in the industry. As teaching profession, I would expect you to teach my child how to be safe in a lab as well as how to set up a reaction. It should be part of the teaching curriculum. I am pretty sure you are teaching them not to pour hazardous chemicals down the drain so the environment doesn't get hurt. Why would you question if it is necessary to teach them not to hurt themselves? Discussion of recovering the cost should be a separate issue. Mubetcel THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY AND MAY FURTHER CONSTITUTE NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use of the information disclosed herein, or any dissemination, distribution, forwarding or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Such restrictions also apply to any employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail or telephone, and delete the original message immediately. For more information, please visit >. Thank you ________________________________ From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Kennedy, Sheila Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 6:32 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] GLOVES IN STUDENT LABS As the staff of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Teaching Labs, we have been asked to propose ideas for saving money, as budgets are only getting tighter over the next few years. One idea proposed is that we stop providing gloves ad lib. to students, but have them buy & bring their own. We currently supply either nitrile or PVC examination (thin, single-use) gloves in our labs. Do you provide/require gloves for student labs? Sheila -- Sheila M. Kennedy, CHO Safety Coordinator Chemistry & Biochemistry Teaching Laboratories University of California, San Diego (858) 534-0221
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