DCHAS-L Archives, Mar 15, 2024 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Working in labs on the weekend proposal

I will preface this by admitting to reading only about a third of this thread, but how are small companies supposed to handle this matter? I may have a fancy title, but at the end of the day, I’m not only the director and product formulator but I’m also the janitor. I alone AM the lab. That’s how small we are.

Whether it’s during business hours or on the weekend (no normal company activity then), I’m nearly always the only person in or near the lab. Are we in violation 250 days per year?!

Dan

On Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 04:26:44 PM EDT, Andy Glode <00001c047c05fd7f-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:

Banning working alone is a good strategy to reduce risk, but it’s not always practical. I suspect most of us are in a position where we simply are not going to be able to implement an outright ban on working alone, so having an approach to managing those risks is important. Our strategy relies utilizing a risk assessment and emphasizing worker communication at appropriate intervals. There is a good summary on key point to a management approach here from ASSP:

https://www.assp.org/news-and-articles/how-to-protect-lone-workers-with-a-safety-management-program

Andy Glode, MS, CIH

Director, RSO, Office of Environmental Health and Safety

University of New Hampshire

O: 603-862-5038; C: 603-534-9872

https://www.unh.edu/research/environmental-health-and-safety

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 12:50 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Working in labs on the weekend proposal

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the University System. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

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

Coordinator of Chemistry Labs
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Barbara Deer Kuss Science 245C
(937) 327-6442
gilej**At_Symbol_Here**wittenberg.edu

Please note that I am often unable to respond to calls or emails in the afternoon. I appreciate your patience.

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