From: Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Policy on wearing headphones in the lab
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:06:23 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 15ebe8296bd-c0a-2f9ba**At_Symbol_Here**webjas-vac096.srv.aolmail.net
In-Reply-To <7B39633B01F4EE42A269E983C42F5A4819AADB42**At_Symbol_Here**SULFATE.fsidomain.local>
-----Original Message-----
From: Dr Bob <drbob**At_Symbol_Here**FLOWSCIENCES.COM>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Tue, Sep 26, 2017 9:55 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Policy on wearing headphones in the lab
I'm relieved that the majority of the answers to this question have been anti headphones. The whole idea of being in a chemistry lab around equipment and chemicals
with even a slightly impaired awareness makes no sense to me. You need to bring your entire consciousness and capabilities to this work.
I'm not worried about the big noises such as fire alarms and explosions. I would worry about the very small sounds that can be the most accident preventive. Hearing
a relatively quiet motor on some piece of equipment suddenly stop. Or hearing the change in sound produced by a bubbling reaction, a ventilation fan, a pump, etc. Hearing someone out of your view coming near who you could unwittingly back into. Hearing
a disturbance in the hallway or the next room that may be important to respond to. Oh so many, many scenarios come into mind.
Lab work is not a phone-in job. If you are bored and need distraction, re-examine your choice of activity. Instead, find something to do in which you want to be
completely invested.
Does anyone have any insight into regulating the use of headphones while working in the lab? Are there any official regulations, or do universities have to develop their own policy for headphone use? A faculty member reached out to our department concerned
how students become "plugged in" and distracted from their surroundings when listening to music and Podcasts while in the lab.
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--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional secretary at
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
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For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
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For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
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