From:
Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Working in labs on the weekend proposal
Date:
Mar 14, 2024 16:49 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<826378275.2488393.1710434984629**At_Symbol_Here**mail.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:
<A24BD210-96AE-4C08-9C17-71FF720DFD31**At_Symbol_Here**pm.me>
Let's get real. OSHA requires the buddy system whenever there are hazards in the workplace. And the two workers must be formally trained to do their tasks safely and be close enough to hear or see each other.
Schools who allow ANY person to be alone in any location in a building there is equipment and toxic/flammable substances is open to a lawsuit if things go wrong.
I'm in a different kind of "lab" business, but within walking distance from my apartment is an art studio classroom where a very experienced graduate student was finishing off his art project in welding when there was an accident. He's got some scars on his neck from burns and one hand that is slightly limited in movement. He's also got a $5 million jury award from NYU.
Don't bother looking for some rule. Lawyers don't care about your rules. Common sense will get you through this one.
Monona
On Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 11:13:59 AM EDT, Daniel R Kuespert <000015c5a28e7459-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:
The first question I would ask is “what are these nonhazardous substances?” I have difficulty imagining a substance for which a student could not find an inventively dangerous use.
The second would be “what else is in that lab?” If the summer research student knocks something over or decides to rifle through the flammables cabinet in search of his or her reagents, then chaos will ensue with no one around to respond. It’s important to remember that students are exposed to everything that’s in the lab (and sometimes in the labs nearby), not just what they’re working with. “I’m working with nonhazardous substances” is a pointless statement if there’s compressed gases, solvents, corrosives, etc. in the room.
If the experiment is actually nonhazardous--using water and food coloring to study diffusion or something, then perhaps it could be done in the cafeteria. (And not with lab glassware…)
Regards,
Dan
-------------------------------------------------
Daniel Kuespert, PhD, CSP
Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)
Member, ACS Division of Chemical Health & Safety (CHAS)
Immediate Past Chair, CHAS 2024
Member, ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, 2023-2025
CHAS Fellow
6 Waterside Run
Medway, MA 02053-6001
443-980-0989 mobile
dkuespert**At_Symbol_Here**pm.me (personal)
On Mar 12, 2024, at 16:14, Jennifer L. Gile <00001941b0f60f67-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU> wrote:
Hello DCHAS members,
A friend of mine works in a small liberal arts college and came to me with the following situation: one of the faculty asked if their summer research student could do their research work (lab based, but according to the PI it does not involve hazardous substances) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to allow the student to also work at an additional opportunity Monday – Thursday. This would be the students second summer doing research with this PI. While I understand larger universities do keep a 24 hour schedule, my friend’s college is a Monday – Friday 9a-5p institution. The likelihood of there being anyone else in the building during these weekends is almost certainly zero.
I admit that I told them I didn’t think anyone should be working in the building alone for a number of reasons, but I’m hearing the PI is not interested in that answer. I am requesting some additional thoughts if you’d care to share them; your personal identities will not be shared with my friend. You can respond on list or to me privately as you feel comfortable.
Thank you all, and stay safe!
Jennifer.
(she/her/they/theirs)
Wittenberg Chemistry – Catalyzing Student Success
Please note that I am often unable to respond to calls or emails in the afternoon. I appreciate your patience.
