Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 09:30:51 -0500
Reply-To: List Moderator <approval1**At_Symbol_Here**esf.uvm.edu>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: List Moderator <approval1**At_Symbol_Here**esf.uvm.edu>
Subject: Re: Laboratory Risk Statement

Another thought about the laboratory risk statement question...

- Ralph

Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 16:54:49 -0500
Subject: Re: Laboratory Risk Statement
From: chemcon**At_Symbol_Here**juno.com

Don,

As one who has testified as a chemical safety expert in more than 300
litigations, I'd like to say that if a student at Ball State was injured
and this statement (below) was in effect, a good, and maybe even a
mediocre, attorney for the victim could easily convince the jury that the
victim was entitled to a very large sum.

I recommend a revised statement in which the student is instructed (under
pain of death?) to read and heed the label on the ORIGINAL reagent bottle
(the label prepared by the supplier) and further to read, understand, and
heed the warnings, precautions, and other information in the MSDS for
every chemical they use (certainly not only those that are "irritating or
hazardous").

Re referring the student to a web site for MSDS, this is not good enough.
  What is needed is  proof that the student has read and understood the
MSDS.  For such proof, a short, written exam (which is kept in the school
records for several years) is appropriate.

Re the health center participation, they should read the MSDS's and
procure the necessary equipment and chemicals for treatment of exposures.
  Examples: the chemicals needed in case of exposure to cyanide, or
hydrofluoric acid, and so on--as these needs are described in the MSDSs.

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