Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 12:15:52 -0800
Reply-To: Larry Gibbs <lgibbs**At_Symbol_Here**STANFORD.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Larry Gibbs <lgibbs**At_Symbol_Here**STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Number of Laboratories
Comments: To: Labsafe**At_Symbol_Here**AOL.COM
In-Reply-To: <5b.5ec620e6.2eebb548**At_Symbol_Here**aol.com>

The issue is not one of trying to redefine the request, but in attempting
to identify reliable data for use in the appplication.

Validated data already exists on the amount of net assignable square
footage of science and engineering research space in higher
education.  This data is collected regularly by the National Science
Foundation and is also readily available.
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/serfcu/start.htm

If the goal is to define a variable that can be used to determine changes
over time, it would be best to define such variable in terms of a standard
that has been already been defined and is already in use.  Certainly one
can attempt to estimate the number of academic laboratories, albeit with
wide confidence limits. But gathering such data, and ensuring the validity
of the data set, especially if the goal is to use the data as a denominator
to measure effectiveness of program changes over time,  will be a
significant challenge.

My understanding of the ultimate use of this data is two-fold:  To identify
the number of facilities affected by the proposed sector rules for higher
education; the second is to measure unit changes in performance over
time.  Both of these can be more readily accomplished by using existing
data regularly collected by the NSF.

Larry Gibb



At 06:28 PM 12/10/2004, Jim Kaufman wrote:
>One of the most interesting things about this questions has been that more
>folks seem interested in editing the question than trying to make some
>reasonable estimate.
>
>How about just giving you best order of magnitude estimate and state your a
>ssumptions?
>
>Here's some additional information that I just received.
>
><< Thanks, I appreciate your help.  I am working on a cost analysis of the
>Lab Regulatory Rule.  The Lab Regulatory Rule is a rule designed to
>provide regulatory relief to colleges and universities from the Resource
>Conservation and Recovery Act.  The specifics of the rule are yet to be
>determined.  The EPA is trying to figure out how to lessen the burden on
>university labs while still maintaining the safety of humans and the
>environment.  This rule is designed for schools and labs that fit the
>definitions below.
>
>College/University:  an academic institution which awards undergraduate
>or graduate degrees.
>
>Laboratory:   a workplace within a college or university where learning
>or exploratory activity occurs and where relatively small quantities of
>hazardous chemicals are used on a nonproduction basis.  A laboratory may
>include more than one room if the rooms are in the same building and
>under the control of a single manager/supervisor.  A workplace whose
>function is to produce commercial quantities of chemicals is not a
>college or university laboratory and therefore does not have the option
>of complying with this subpart. >>
>
>
>
>                  ************************************
>                                James A. Kaufman, Ph.D.
>                                       President/CEO
>                         The Laboratory Safety Institute
>                    Safety in Science and Science Education
>                     192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760
>         508-647-1900  Fax: 508-647-0062  Cell: 508-574-6264
>                         Email: jimkaufman**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.org
>                       Web Site: http://www.labsafety.org
>
>                     *************************************

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