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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Student Access to labs Policy
Date: February 3, 2012 9:59:11 AM EST
Author: "Robin M. Izzo" 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Student Access to labs Policy
Date: February 3, 2012 1:23:31 PM EST
Author: Margaret Rakas

From: ILPI <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Student Access to labs Policy
Date: February 3, 2012 10:12:01 AM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <CAGvfNZRN9YgrPBMQXhfKeYN+N36jU6xyW3nwiBGdDWDuvfO=xQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>


I want to respond specifically to point 3.   Laboratory hazards do not stop when work stops.  Risks may go down, but they do not go away.  Waste bottles can explode, containers can leak, delayed reactions occur, radioactive releases can go undetected, etc..  This is why we train our students to wear safety glasses in the lab at all times.   That training most likely saved one of my former student's eyesight, in fact.  See my writeup of that incident here http://www.ilpi.com/safety/explosion.html

Here's a story I posted to the list a while back.  There was "nothing" going on in the lab at the time....imagine now what would have happened if there had been a student in the lab working on a computer.  http://www.ilpi.com/dchas/2008/20080911a.html

I have also related a story on the list about a colleague who was on his way out the door (obviously not doing anything "unsafe") when he was permanently blinded in one eye: http://www.aiha.org/insideaiha/volunteergroups/labHandScommittee/Pages/IncidentsCryogens.aspx#Letter

Therefore, if you have a working alone laboratory policy, it should clearly specify any physical presence in the lab, regardless of the nature of the activity.

Rob Toreki

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On Feb 2, 2012, at 4:26 PM, Teresa Arnold wrote:

Hello all,
I am trying to get a policy in print for our Department about lab use by undergraduate research students after usual business hours.  I would like to hear what your policies are!  Please address:

Thanks so much for your help!  I know my thoughts, but I need to answer the  "what is everybody else doing?" question for my Dept. Chair.  We want to make a "Good Practices" Policy.


Teresa Arnold

George Fox University

Biology-Chemistry Lab Coordinator

tarnold**At_Symbol_Here**georgefox.edu
503-554-2724
Fax: 503-554-3884

414 N. Meridian St.  #6144
Newberg, OR  97132


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