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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] MOCVD accidents/injuries? Date: January 25, 2012 5:24:01 PM EST Author: Ken Kretchman <kwkretch**At_Symbol_Here**NCSU.EDU> |
Next by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Enforcing safety rules among instructors Date: January 25, 2012 1:59:05 PM EST Author: Teresa Arnold |
From: Eric Clark
Karen,
Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM
===
From: "Chance, Brandon"
I will speak more from experience than from my current job duties. Once upon a time not too long ago, I was an undergraduate TA teaching organic laboratories. I was at a very small school with only a few chemistry faculty, and the juniors and seniors taught the freshmen and organic labs. My first year teaching (as a junior) safety rules were not really taught or enforced. Consequently, accidents were rather frequent, although none permanently life altering.
My senior year, we had a new organic prof come in from industry. He promptly hung up old safety goggles that had been damaged around the lab as a reminder and made safety a huge part of the course and the overall culture. As a TA, we were taught to enforce the rules and turn any violators directly into him as he was always in is office right next to the lab during classes. He personally made rounds through the lab every half hour or so.
As a graduate TA at a large research institution, we actually received a grade our first year as TAs. This grade was part of our graduate GPA and was reflected as a normal one hour course. I witnessed people making low grades or getting drop failed out of the course for not following various safety rules while teaching.
For year two TAs, the lab supervisors would have talk with the advisors if their graduate students were not following proper rules and procedures. As a TA, we were "free research" for the supervisor since the university was paying our fees and stipend instead of their research grants. If we became a problem or were in danger of being fired as a TA, the PI would take action as to not lose this "free research". Either that was a stern talking to, unreasonable research demands, or the threat to fire us because he did not have the research funding to cover us.
As for training, at the graduate levels, all TAs were required to undergo a year of supplemental instruction where we were observed performing the laboratories ahead of time for safe practices. We also all underwent safety training as part of orientation and signed safety contracts.
I hope this helps from a former TA's perspective,
Brandon Chance, M.S.
Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager
PO Box 23874 | Doha, Qatar
(o) +974.4423.0495 | (m) +974.6668.3552 | SkypeIn USA 001.281.764.1776
===
Hi,
I know that some colleagues had to make it a salary condition. Not wearing your PPE = No full paycheck. They never had to impose it because the instructors were to afraid of losing money.
Rough, but real.
Have a nice day,
Carole Savoie, Ph.D. chimie | Conseillre principale en sant et scurit / Responsable de la radioprotection | Secteur sant et scurit
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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Enforcing safety rules among instructors
Date: January 25, 2012 1:49:15 PM EST
This is a serious CYA issue for you. You need backup in the form of a written policy from the Chemistry Dept or College administration. Go two routes with that. Make an official request for a Laboratory PPE policy that includes consequences for failing to abide by the rules; and do it via email. And then make it an agenda item on the next Safety Committee meeting. So even if nothing ever gets done, if a laboratory accident happens at Baylor at least you personally are covered from the fallout of an investigation.
Do you need to beat these people over the head with a rolled up LA Times? How much clearer does that UCLA lab incident need to be?? Eric
Safety & Compliance Officer
Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Enforcing safety rules among instructors
Date: January 25, 2012 2:17:10 PM EST
To: DCHAS-L
Dr. Humphry,
Office of Building Operations & HSSE
Texas A&M University at Qatar
brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**qatar.tamu.edu
TAMUQ Building Room 225E | Education City
From: Carole Savoie
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Enforcing safety rules among instructors
Date: January 25, 2012 2:19:12 PM EST
Carole
cole Polytechnique de Montral| Pavillon principal, local A-429.19.1 | C.P. 6079, succ. Centre-ville, Montral, Qubec, Canada, H3C 3A7
Tl: (514) 340-4711, poste 4547
carole.savoie**At_Symbol_Here**polymtl.ca | http://www.polymtl.ca/sst/