From: "Stuart, Ralph" <Ralph.Stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Chemistry classroom fire injures 6
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 13:46:36 +0000
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: C9140793-CFD7-43DE-AF5A-F061C22F020C**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
In-Reply-To <150c8660500-1fac-136b1**At_Symbol_Here**webprd-m74.mail.aol.com>


> Here in NY is it the teacher's union that doesn't want to get behind even the required state OSHA (PESH) hazcom and lab standard training of teachers. The teachers find it boring

At my high school reunion a couple of weeks ago, a former classmate who is now a teacher at the school said in passing that they had had to sit through Blood Borne pathogen training again the week before and it was a waste of time, just like last year. Later, she was rather chagrined when she asked I my job was and I said ‰??I give safety training, including BBP‰??. ;)

With regard to the methanol demonstration question, I think that the new NFPA 45 standard gives a pretty good basis for planning chemical demonstration safety; perhaps a contribution that ACS could make would be to develop a model document that outlines the basic information for these requirements with regard to work with methanol. These instructor responsibilities include:
‰?? A documented hazard risk assessment
‰?? A safety briefing for students
‰?? PPE for both faculty and students
‰?? Safety barriers as required
‰?? An instructor that is trained and knowledgeable in fire safety procedures, emergency plans, hazards present
Such a document should be clear that it is a template that needs to be modified to meet local requirements, but might provide a basis for teachers who develop plans for such demonstrations via google to identify the best practices to include‰?|

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Keene State College

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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