DCHAS-L Archives, Sep 2, 2011 - Re: Burka and safety

Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 16:41:53 -0700
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: Michael Hojjatie <mhojjatie**At_Symbol_Here**TKINET.COM>
In-Reply-To: <B06FE04AACB936438D57258499897CD91630D119FD**At_Symbol_Here**phxe2k7.tusa.tkinet.com>

He was we aring popper PPE (goggle, face shields, apron, gloves, etc.). He was loadin g HF when he was sideways and a tube came loose. I know this is an isolated incident but The ears are expose all the time.

Michael

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**l ist.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Hojjatie
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 2:43 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subjec t: [DCHAS-L]

Several years ago there was an incident of somebody got splashed with hydrofluoric acid in one of his ear s. The ear was as black as ebony wood for several days and very painful. He had to get calcium glutamate by injection as well as orally. In almost all of the safety advises and guidelines eyes and face protection is discussed . I have rarely seen recommendations for “ear protection” beyon d the noise protection. Please comment.

Michael Hojjatie, Ph.D.

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [m ailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of ILPI
Sent: Thursd ay, September 01, 2011 9:06 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Sub ject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Burka and safety

Safety n eeds to be applied equally and consistently. Loose clothing or clothi ng that obscures peripheral vision in a chemistry laboratory (or machine sh op - think Yale) is a safety hazard and is not acceptable. Safety is agnostic.

< /o:p>

The real issue here is whether you r institution is willing or required to make some sort of accommodation suc h as permitting the student to do her lab time without the burka when only females are around. And that answer will obviously vary from state to state.

You should immediately consult your college 's legal counsel **in writing**, and be sure to impress on them from the st art that safety can not be compromised under any circumstances. You w ill no doubt want to come up with a standard written policy to address this issue.

Rob Toreki

========== ========================= ===================

Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies f eaturing brand names

you kno w and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com

esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com< /a> or toll-free: (866) 326-5412

Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012

On Sep 1, 2011, at 10:27 AM, Yaeger, Mary Ann wrote:

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, 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,