I don’t have any points that haven’t been made already, but I did recently hear a story from a friend that I think is demonstrative of the points others have made. My friend’s undergraduate university was an undergrad-only institution. One night, when he was a senior, he was in a meeting with his PI when he got a text from a freshman that had recently started. The freshman knew that others cleaned glassware with aqua regia, so they were trying to make a batch. That wasn’t all, though. They couldn’t find the hydrochloric acid. Well, they were in general chemistry, and knew their periodic trends, so they figured hydrofluoric acid would be a fine substitute. They texted my friend all this, just as a heads-up, no idea that what they had done was highly dangerous. My friend and his PI rushed downstairs; I forget exactly how he said they resolved the situation, but he said that the glass beaker of acid was noticeably thinner where the acid had been, and was likely close to breaking. So, that’s what can happen when the person is trying to do the right thing.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jack Reidy (he/him)

Research Safety Specialist, Assistant Chemical Hygiene Officer

Environmental Health & Safety

Stanford University

484 Oak Road, Stanford, CA, 94305

Tel: (650) 497-7614

 

 

 

 

This is always a tough decision and many do not have a policy. We always want to foster a learning environment and facilitate research, and this can be difficult to do and remain in compliance with all rules and regulations.

 

In our jurisdiction, the local fire department issues a lab laboratory operating permit, the permit requires a certificate holder (certificate obtained by fire department) to be present when the lab is in operation.

Akin to driving, the permit is a registration and the certificate is a license. Usually our PI’s and graduate students have the certificate, and must be present when the undergraduates are working, as per the permit conditions.

 

What if the undergraduates run into a problem? Make a spill? Would you let an unlicensed driver operate a motor vehicle? May not be the best analogy, but it’s similar.

 

Finally, the ol’ saying, when the cat is away, the mice will…..  while the two undergraduates are in the lab, unsupervised, they will have unabated access to the entire lab and may become curious and touch things they are not supposed to be touching.

 

Having undergraduates working without supervision, increases risk. How would you address that increased risk. Some administrators will not allow under 18, or students from another home institution.

You can limit the time from 8 hrs to 1 hr. You can have colleagues from another lab supervise if they are willing.

Sorry I don’t have a clear answer, but I hope this has helped.

be well,

James

 

 

I am uncertain as to “regulations for undergraduates.” If they are over 18, they are adults subject to the same regulations as us. Ultimately, this is a liability issue. However, my university as safety policy does require a “buddy system” for undergraduates during working hours, supervision after-hours, or a “work alone” form. The “work alone” document establishes hours for working, communication requirements, and limits on the type of activities allowed. For example, a student with PI approval may work on Saturdays between 9 am-5 pm if the PI is contacted by text when entering & leaving and only does activities outlined and considered low-risk by the PI.

 

Tammy Lutz-Rechtin

 

 

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