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Subject: Re: Cell phones in lab
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:56:03 -0700
Author: DAVID KATZ 		Next by Date:
Subject: Hazmat safety officer training course?
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:20:48 -0500
Author: Jay Toigo


Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:54:31 -0500
Reply-To: chemcon**At_Symbol_Here**JUNO.COM
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Jay Young <chemcon**At_Symbol_Here**JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Cell Phones in Lab
Comments: To: heinma**At_Symbol_Here**WWC.EDU
Matt,

If your Organic lab people need a little back-up, I am happy to oblige.

Cell phones should be banned from laboratories in which chemicals and/or
biological materials are used, disposed of,  and/or handled.  Simlarly,
they should be banned from laboratories and shops in which machinery
and/or instrumentation is used and/or handled.

The reasons for this recommendation include, but are not restricted, to
the following:

1. The ringing of a cell phone which announces an incoming message, the
use of a cell phone to play recordings of music or noise, the use of a
cell phone to communicate with others, each and all of the foregoing,
distract both individual laboratory and shop workers and their associates
from attending to the safe use and handling of chemicals, biologicals,
instrumentation, and machinery.

2. Cell phones present in a laboratory where chemicals and/or biologicals
are used, disposed of, and/or handled are a source of contamination
within a laboratory as well as a source of undesirable transmission of
hazardous chemicals and/or biologicals to locations outside of a
laboratory.  

3. Laboratories and shops are designed for purposes other than the
receipt or generation of information typically communicated when cell
phones are used.

4. Laboratories and shops are typically occupied by responsible
professionals and/or professionals in training.  The ordinary duties of
such professionals and the responsibilities of those in training to be
professionals conflict with the use and the presence of cell phones in
laboratories and shops.

5. Modern laboratories and shops are equipped with other means of
communication to be used in the event of an emergency.  Their use is
ordinarily described by local regulations and practiced in emergency
drills.

Jay A. Young

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