CHEM 506 Chemical Laboratory Safety

General Information
Instructor
Assignments
Final Project & Presentation
Online Resources
Grading

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Class:T 1100, McCracken 4420
Prerequisites:none
Text:Stricoff and Walters, Handbook of Laboratory Health and Safety

Course Topic s:

Week

Topics(s)

Reading

Notices

1

 Introduction
Hazard Assessment 		Ch. 1-2

2

 Hazard Assessment
Non-chemical hazards		 Ch. 8-10, 12 Hazard Assessment Assignment

3

 Non-chemical hazards Hazard Assessment Assignment Due

4

 Chemical hazards Ch. 20, additional handouts

5

 Evaluating chemical hazards Additional Handouts

6

 Safe Laboratory Practices Handouts Hazard Evaluation Assignment

7

 Safe Chemical Practices Ch. 20, Handouts Hazard Evaluation Assignment Due

8

 Biosafety Ch. 9, Handouts Lab Safety Assignment
Discuss Project Topic

9

 Hazard Minimization - Policy Ch. 3, 6, 7, 11, 13 Lab Safety Assignment Due

10

 Hazard Minimization - Design Ch. 14-16 Project Topic Decided

11

 Hazard Minimization - Practice Ch. 17-19, 21

12

 Hazard Minimization - Administration Ch. 4-6

13

 Prevention & Response Ch. 7, 13, 22 Project Due

14

 Student Presentations

Absence Policy
Attendance in class is important, as material is often covered in lecture that is complementary to the text.

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Instructor

Dr. John B. MillerOffice Hours
Office: Wood 3156TR 1400-1500
Lab: Haenicke 4450
387-2871
john.b.miller@wmich.eduor by appointment

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Assignments
Three brief assignments will be given. These will be individually tailored to the student, but will likely involve hazard assessments, and the development of hazard remediation and prevention plans. Where possible, these will be linked to the student's research or work environment.

Late Work Policy
Late assignments and final projects will be assessed a penalty of 10% per week.
Assignments more than three weeks late will not be accepted.

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Project
Each member of the class will complete a project in chemical safety and risk evaluation, preferably associated with a local or regional laboratory or other workplace. The project topic shall be mutually agreed upon by the student and the instructor. Projects should focus on policy and practice implications of accident prevention and remediation strategies. A project summary will be required. It should consist of a three-page synopsis of observations, conclusions, and recommendations.

Presentation
The student or group representative will give a brief (10 min.) presentation outlining the rationale and findings of the student project.

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Online Resources
Some online computer resources will be used in this course. Most resources can be accessed via the World-Wide Web at the URL http://unix.cc.wmich.edu/~millerj/chem506/chem506.htm as a portal.

Computer facilities are available in the basement of the Bernhard Center, in the UCC labs, and in McCracken 5160. Dialup connections via the University modem pool (387-2040) may also be used (contact the UCS help desk for detailed information about dialup). Instruction in the basic use of these online resources will be provided as required.

Grading
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Assignments90 (3@30) points56%
Student Presentations20 points13%
Final Project50 points31%
TOTAL160 points

The following approximate grading scale will be used:

A94-100%
BA88-93%
B84-87%
CB78-83%
C74-77%
DC68-73%
D60-67%
E0-59%

Current individual scores will be posted on the class web site (http://unix.cc.wmich.edu/~millerj/chem506/grades.htm).