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Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 08:38:34 -0400
Reply-To: List Moderator <ecgrants**At_Symbol_Here**UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: List Moderator <ecgrants**At_Symbol_Here**UVM.EDU>
Subject: 3 Re: [DCHAS-L] OSHA Lab Standard Effectiveness
From: chemsafety**At_Symbol_Here**VERIZON.NET
Re: [DCHAS-L] OSHA Lab Standard Effectiveness
To everybody,
Maybe, as somebody has already pointed out, the problem is with the
grantors?
We need to insist that NSF and other major granting agencies require
that proposals include a discussion of foreseen safety issues and the
precautionary measures that will be taken as a consequence.
The ACS has a powerful voice and we therefore need first to persuade
the Board of Directors of the ACS that this is an important issue
which MUST be addressed. Maybe the CHAS Councilors need to get on the
horn at Council meetings?
Jay Young
==
From: davidbunzow**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET
Re: [DCHAS-L] OSHA Lab Standard Effectiveness
In most of the posts I've read thus far, there seems to be a sense of
the adversarial them vs. us in safety. I find this strange when we are
talking about the potential adverse impacts on people, programs and
institutions. One of the better tools that has not brought it into the
discussions thus far - and that could potentially be a positive
benefit to all - is OSHA's General Duty Clause and how each of the
three "factions" would apply it to laboratory safety. I'm aware OSHA
only applies to employers and their employees, but I guess I missed
the memo where it was determined that concern for welfare and the
right to a workplace free of risky hazards doesn't apply morally to us
all.
Having spent considerable time in industry, academia and now
government labs, I can find/confirm that these organizations are all
over the safety spectrum when it comes to their safety culture. And I
must say that I wholeheartedly agree with Neal's intent. But I
suspect that fundamental change in safety culture is sorely needed in
the majority of academic labs and their inhabitants - and this is just
not supported by many academic administrations who see safety as just
an add-on rather than an integrated part of learning and research
involving human beings.
I would be interested to hear what others think about this aspect of
safety culture and accountability.
David
==
From: Paul Sonnenfeld, CPEA
Re: [DCHAS-L] OSHA Lab Standard Effectiveness
Two quick observations; 1) if you want an incentive for safe lab
practices, I suggest posting pictures of the researchers' and
technicians' families or significant others (preferably poster-size)
on the walls of the lab. These not too subtle reminders may help
folks to practice safety AND prepare the risk assessment prior to
initiating the investigation. By so doing the researchers and
technicians may be alive at the end of the day and therefore have an
opportunity to hug the folks in the pictures. 2) Having a CHP is
absolutely worthless if lab personnel are not trained in the aspects
and limitations of the CHP. At the minimum, an annual critical review
of the CHP is necessary to ensure that the document still has value.
Paul Sonnenfeld, CPEA
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