We handled this (no personal electric devices) during my Grad School teaching days by point reductions on the lab experiment that became more aggressive as the number of times the violation occurred. First time was 1 point, second time 5 points, third time 10 points. This was incorporated in the syllabus along with the language that if the electronic device comes in contact with any hazardous chemical it would have to be treated as a hazardous waste. This along with the other safety rules for the laboratory had to be signed by the student before they could handle any hazardous chemicals.

 

Jeff

 

Hi:

 

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep undergraduates from using their electronic devices in the teaching lab.  We disclaim that any damage is not the responsibility of the institution.

 

Here’s the question:  What if something hazardous is spilled on the device and it can’t be decontaminated?  Does the device become hazardous waste at that point?  What if the owner isn’t willing to give up the device for disposal?

 

This scenario hasn’t presented itself – yet!

 

Thanks,

Debbie

 

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO, ACS Fellow

Safety Manager

Department of Chemistry

University of California, Davis

122 Chemistry

1 Shields Ave.

Davis, CA  95616

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

 

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."