This is what we have as our DEPARTMENTAL policy as we do not have a campus-wide policy. We are a small department with just 5 faculty and only one Master's student. So, we really do not allow 24/7 access. Our faculty do not even work after regular building hours.

c. Laboratory Supervision
(i.) Teaching Labs- No laboratory class should be left without the immediate supervision of the instructor for more than 10 min. A trained laboratory assistant may supervise the lab during this time. Exceptions to this rule are the following labs, 453, 461, 381, 443, 485, 299, 499, 599, which are left to the instructor discretion.
(ii.) Research Labs- Research Students, including 299, 499, 599, paid student employees, or student volunteers, will only be allowed to work in the lab without the direct supervision of faculty if the following conditions are met:
a) student must receive permission from their direct faculty supervisor with an agreement of what procedures can be done by themselves
b) student must have completed basic lab safety training and additional lab specific training from their faculty advisor
c) student must arrange to be present only when at least one other research student who is trained in the procedure and hazards is present within the department. They are required to periodically check on each other‰??s safety.

Regards,
Monique Wilhelm
Laboratory Supervisor/Adjunct Lecturer/Chem Club Co-Advisor
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI 48502

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Vivian L. Longacre
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 5:22 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Working alone

This is a subject that is active on our campus lately.

Our campus does not have a working alone policy, however there are some departments that restrict it. In particular, the Dept of Chemistry and Biochemistry requires that students who have what they call "24/7 access" to laboratory areas (they are usually 2nd year research undergrads or grad students), are allowed to work from 7 am to 9 pm unrestricted. To work out side those times, you must have an exception form on file stating that you will have a buddy (see below for actual statement). This exception is due into the stockroom at least by the end of the day you are to be working and a PI signature is required before access is granted. This way their PI is aware that they will be working and what they are working on. Access is granted for one overnight or one weekend per form. Not that it is always adhered to, but there is a system in place that is utilized for the most part. PI's and other faculty are not restricted on campus.

In or near the project room means within hailing distance.

Other departments are starting to ask about a campus policy, as some folks are uncomfortable with 24/7 access to their shops and labs and are worried about accounting for who is in a building should we have an emergency.

I would be very interested to know what other campuses are doing.

‰??Vivian Longacre | Safety Training Specialist Environmental Health & Safety | Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo, CA | 805.756.6628

________________________________________
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List on behalf of Peter John Stuurwold
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2015 12:24 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Working alone

Hi everyone, what policies do your institutions have regarding working alone and/or on nights and weekends? Is your policy the same for everyone, or does it treat professors, grad students, and undergrads differently?

Thanks,
Pete Stuurwold
Laboratory Supervisor
Department of Chemistry
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5413
(269) 387-2914

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