We decided last fall, with a new building coming online
which used 'prox cards', that we now had a method for controlling access
and thus a tool to ensure lab safety training occurred.
If only it were that simple=85 an outright ban on laboratory
work until the worker has completed safety training. In a way,
we
have that, but it is so much more complicated and I honestly believe that
only
those who work in academia can appreciate that. I don=92t think Princeton=92s approach is unique, yet we
still don=92t have 100% compliance. We take it very seriously and
are
constantly looking for ways to improve, but it is an uphill battle, not
because
people don=92t care and not because people complain, but because
universities are incredibly decentralized and it is unrealistic to expect
that
every faculty member is going to be vigilant about it. If they are
not,
the decentralized nature means that there may not be enough additional
checks
and balances. That=92s my 2 cents (given the length, maybe more like $2).
p>
Robin Robin M. Izzo, M.S. Associate Director, EHS Princeton University 609-258-6259 (office) Leap and the net will appear. - Zen Saying When you stumble, make it part of the dance. -
Unknown Save a tree...please don't print this or any document unless
truly necessary.
General lab
safety training is required before a key can be issued (or their prox card
can be coded). I am cc'd on the initial request by the faculty
member for room access. I check my 'database'-an excel spreadsheet--a
nd determine if the person has had general lab safety training. If
they haven't, I either contact the person with the next training date, or
set up a doodle poll (such as at the beginning of the semester).
Last year I ended up having a training session (~45 minutes) nearly every
week for about the middle 6 weeks of the semester. I am a one-man
'shop', providing everything from RSO to BSO to CHO services, so this does
take a level of commitment that my management has supported (I am not keen
on web training--have never found the 'perfect' program, but I understand
why it can be perfect for those institutions who have the personnel to put
together sophisticated training videos, etc).
For students in our
summer research program--we had about 130 this year, though not all were
in the 'wet' labs--we require they attend a 2-hour session in order to
receive their funding. This is required even if they attended the
seminar the previous summer, or received general lab safety training
during the semester. I have found email to be a very effective way
to reach faculty, students and staff, and hope that it continues.
Ou
r system isn't perfect--there is no current provision for refresher
training, although with the number of students who 'repeat' the summer
research program, it is effectively in place for those students doing the
most research. And people can certainly walk into the labs when they
are open, or have a labmate open the door for them. But the desire
for a key or coded prox card is such that really everyone wants their own
access.
Also, if you have an electronic procurement system (we
don't) that might be another option for 'grabbing' them. While I am
guessing the PI has to finally approve the order, I am betting that many
lab researchers at least can log on and compile orders. Who inserts
their name into the system? Can you work with that unit to ensure
they receive training before being able to order supplies? Again,
not fail-safe--they can ask their buddy to put their order in, use someone
else's password, etc.--but if your institution has policies against
password sharing and audits research groups ("Dr Smith, you REALLY are
creating and submitting every single order?") then this can be another
useful tool.
I do agree that short-term lab visitors (someone
working for just a few days) or volunteers, esp. high school students, can
be extremely difficult to 'catch'. Faculty education is key, and so
is repetition ("Yes, you must document specialized safety training.
Yes, there are special procedures for high school students...")
My
point is, these researchers are 'unique' in having some 'privileges' like
keys to labs, access to electronic procurement systems, etc. If your
institution has controls in place for handing out access to these
'privileges' then work with the departments involved. You will need
management support, but certainly with recent incidents in academia this
is a cause they can support...
My personal opinion only...not
business or legal advice...
Margaret
>>> Wendy Campbell
I believe that's worth at least $2, as it's a very nice summary.
The only point I would argue is that we should expect every
faculty member (and staff and student) to be vigilant about safety and
training, but unfortunately the reality is that they are not, and as you
say, due to the lack of centralized controls, it can be quite difficult to
force compliance.
<
/span>
--
Wendy Campbell,
ASP
Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Environmental Health and
Safety
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho
83725-1826
Office: (208) 426-3303
Fax: (208) 426-3343
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