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Subject: Re: urea nitrate, RDX, and PETN
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:21:41 -0800
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Subject: Chemical Safety headlines from Google
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:11:35 -0500
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Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:57:09 -0500
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: Christopher Suznovich <snuz**At_Symbol_Here**MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Lab Coat Options
In-Reply-To: <40701755CDB04A13959881CC4C9EFCDD**At_Symbol_Here**chemical6df00a>
There is possibility that the chemist is really uncomfortable by the temperatures even they are set to a ‘comfortable’ level for most.  There are some individuals that require lower temperatures or higher temperatures to be comfortable because of their individual body needs.  Maybe HR could request the chemist to see the company doctor to determine of there is a medical condition underlying is causing him to be hot.  Of course confidentiality of any medical information is a must but maybe if anything is discovered or not , the doctor may have a recommendation to help the ‘overheated feeling’.  This also protects you and the company if he ended up being fired and had a condition that was later discovered, but the company did not rule that out before terminating him from the company.

There could also be  a factor that the equipment the chemist is using, such as hot plates, etc. is adding heat directly in the work area around the chemist making them uncomfortable.  In one room of our lab where we have several plates and our dissolution baths, the thermostat is set to 68F, but the room is actually closer to 73-75F which can be more uncomfortable in the winter if you have heavier clothing under a lab coat.

Regards,

Chris


From: "Dr. Jay A. Young" <chemsafety**At_Symbol_Here**VERIZON.NET>
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu>
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:07:38 -0500
To: <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Lab Coat Options

Danielle,
I agree with Dr. Norwood.  If you accommodate Mr. Personality, the next thing you will be doing is satisfying Ms. Needs Attention, and after that Dr. MeeToo will insist on going barefoot in the lab and after that who knows what the next goof-ball will come up with.
So make it clear to Mr Personality that rules are rules and if he doesn't like them, OK, but don't bother coming to work here any more.
Jay Young
**************************


----- Original Message -----
 
From:  Norwood, Brad <mailto:Brad.Norwood**At_Symbol_Here**ARISTALABS.COM>  
 
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
 
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:36  PM
 
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Lab Coat  Options
 

 
 
 

Danielle,


Personally, I consider wearing  proper PPE to be a condition of continued employment.  I do not believe  that the company will be required to make any “reasonable accommodation” at  the risk of the liability that would be incurred.


I would tell the individual  they have two choices.  Wear the labcoat at all times required by your  established protocols and boundaries OR seek employment  elsewhere.




Dr. Bradley K.  Norwood
Laboratory  Director
Arista  Laboratories
1941 Reymet  Road
Richmond, VA   23237
(804) 271-5572 ext.  307
(804) 641-4641  (cell)
brad.norwood**At_Symbol_Here**aristalabs.com <mailto:brad.norwood**At_Symbol_Here**aristalabs.com>





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From: DCHAS-L  Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Danielle  Boren
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2:20 PM
To:  DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Lab Coat  Options
 
 
Does anyone  have experience with chemists that state they are too hot to wear lab  coats?  For the most part, all scientists in my company comply. One  exception – he flat out refuses to wear the lab coat because he says it makes  him so hot he feels like he’s going to pass out.


Since the  whole point of wearing a lab coat is to protect against spills and splashes,  wearing a thinner coat does not seem like a viable option.   


I would like  to find a solution that is workable for the employee, but also protects the  company from liability.


Thank  you.


Danielle M.  Boren
 
 
Laboratory Safety  Manager
Senomyx,  Inc.
4767 Nexus Center Dr.  San Diego, Ca 92121
858-646-8357  office
858-404-0752  fax
858-401-2374  mobile
 

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