Mary Ann,

 

Many good comments and advise.  One of the important ones is making sure you have HR / Legal / EEOC etc in the loop on the discussion.

 

One question, which ma y already have been answered.  Are you talking full Burka or just the scarf over ones head?

 

I spent a week in Moro cco working with the Institute of Health a couple of years ago.  Sever al women wore a scarf.  No one covered their face or wore a full Burka in the lab. 

 

Obviously there are ot her situations where we have to address issues of safety and religious free dom.  Beards and respirators for one.  Bottom line is risk assess ment. 

 

Patty

 

 

Patty Olinger, RBP

Director EHSO

Emory University

1762 Clifton Rd., Suite 1200

M.S. 0940-001-1AB

Atlanta, GA 30322

404-727-5690 office

404-727-9778 fax

www.ehso.emory.edu

 

 

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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’t want to discriminate religiously, s o 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