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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