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Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2011 14:30:43 -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: Doug Walters <waltersdb**At_Symbol_Here**EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Burka and safety
In-Reply-To: <CA88E006.67DC%brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**qatar.tamu.edu>
Brandon,
Thanks for the real life knowledge. Hope to see you again soon.
Best regards,
Doug Walters
On Sep 4, 2011, at 1:24 AM, Chance, Brandon wrote:
> MaryAnn,
>
> As the lab safety manager for Texas A&M University at Qatar, I feel
uniquely qualified to answer this question as at least 50% of our female
students wear either the Burka or Hijab. I will briefly outline the PPE
requirements we use for Organic Chemistry Laboratory (which I also used
to teach here) below.
>
> Basically, lab coats with elastic cuffs are required to secure loose
sleeves from the abaya. The Hijab or Burka is required to be securely
tucked into the lab coat collar. For those students that wear a Burka,
we require them to wear a surgical mask in lieu of the facial covering
(it basically covers the same amount as the Burka). Of course goggles
and closed-toed shoes are required. In the 5 years I have been here,
this has been the standard policy and we have not had any negative
feedback. Thus far, we have not had any students that insist on wearing
the full face veil covering everything including their eyes. Some wear
this in the hallways, but have no problem removing it for lab courses
(all of our courses are coeducational).
>
> Another thing you may want to be aware of is male TAs or faculty
responsibilities for the students. I assume your lab instructors are
trained to render basic first aid or deal with chemical spills on a
student. Due to religious sensitivities, if this is the case, it is a
good idea for the instructor to ask for a female volunteer to act as a
"helper" in emergencies as the male instructor will not be allowed to
touch a conservative female muslim student. It could be something as
simple as the female volunteer applying a bandage or manning a drench
shower.
>
> Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.
>
> Regards,
>
> Brandon Chance
>
> Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager
> Office of Building Operations & HSSE
> Texas A&M University at Qatar
>
brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**qatar.tamu.edu
>
> PO Box 23874 | Doha, Qatar
> TAMUQ Building Room 225E | Education City
>
> (o) +974.4423.0495 | (m) +974.6668.3552 | SkypeIn USA 001.281.764.1776
>
> www.qatar.tamu.edu
>
> It=92s Time For Texas A&M
>
>
>
> From: "Yaeger, Mary Ann"
>
> Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List
>
> Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 10:27:35 -0400
> To: >
> Subject: [DCHAS-L] Burka and safety
>
> 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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