Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 12:06:02 -0400
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: ILPI <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Subject: Re: Burka and safety
In-Reply-To: <0314C975188BB0459AE75B19EFBFEF5014425442E4**At_Symbol_Here**newport.wesley.int>

Safety needs to be applied equally and consistently.  Loose clothing or clothing that obscures peripheral vision in a chemistry laboratory (or machine shop - think Yale) is a safety hazard and is not acceptable.  Safety is agnostic.

The real issue here is whether your institution is willing or required to make some sort of accommodation such as permitting the student to do her lab time without the burka when only females are around.  And that answer will obviously vary from state to state.

You should immediately consult your college's legal counsel **in writing**, and be sure to impress on them from the start that safety can not be compromised under any circumstances.  You will no doubt want to come up with a standard written policy to address this issue.

Rob Toreki

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On Sep 1, 2011, at 10:27 AM, Yaeger, Mary Ann wrote:

Could others tell me how you deal with a student who wears a Burka taking an organic chemistry class, or any lab class for that matter?  We certainly don=92t want to discriminate religiously, so how do we deal with the safety issues of that.  Surprisingly this is the first time this situation has arisen for us.
Thanks,
MaryAnn
MaryAnn Yaeger, MS
Supervisor of Laboratory Services,
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Wesley College
120 N. State Street
Dover DE 19901
Ph. 302-736-2389
Fax 302-736-2301

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