Attached is an e-mail from an earlier discussion on this subject.


-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of 
Tim
Hauser
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 12:06 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] cell phones in labs

Hello all,
      I am interested in some feedback on cell phones in laboratories. I
don't believe the "static spark - fire" is too big of an issue as we 
really
don't have very much in the way of flammables due to the nature of our 
work.
My problem is more about distraction and chemical hygiene. Supervisors 
(and
myself) were finding employees talking away while handling hazardous
materials. We also saw employees reaching into their pockets and 
handling
phones immediately upon ringing...while their hands were still gloved 
much
less not washed.
      We have forbid cell phones in our labs but are receiving a fair 
amount
of complaints about the new rule. Has anyone had any similar experiences 
or
comments they could add? Thank you for any help in advance.

Timothy M. Hauser
Health, Safety & Environmental Specialist / Radiation Safety Officer
Phone: 608 -442-4042
Fax:     608-238-1388
Email:   Tim.Hauser**At_Symbol_Here**emdbiosciences.com




Well said, Larry.

Russ Phifer

WC Environmental, LLC
PO Box 1718 
West Chester, PA  19380
610-696-9220
610-344-7519 fax
rphifer**At_Symbol_Here**glasmesh.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Laurence Doemeny [mailto:ldoemeny**At_Symbol_Here**cinci.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 1:12 PM
To: 'Lawrence Funke'; 'A. Marcinkowsky'; 'A. Hazari'; 'Alaimo (R.
Alaimo)'; 'antonucci'; 'J. Breazeale'; 'burns'; 'C. Bradley';
dmcdonal**At_Symbol_Here**cvcc.edu; 'D. McDonald'; 'D. Watson'; 'elston (H. Elston)';
'fivizzani (K. Fivizzani)'; 'foster (Barbara Foster)'; 'gates (R.
Gates)'; 'J. Delfiner'; 'M. Cournoyer'; 'Nevill (M. Nevill)'; 'S.
Sichak'; 'phifer (R. Phifer)'; 'redden (P. Redden)'; 'R. Torrey';
'Schickedantz (P. Schickedantz)'; 'D. Schmidt'; 'segal'; 'silber (H.
Silber)'; 'Talley-home (E. Talley)'; 'D. Walters'; 'W. Wolsey'
Subject: RE: Cell Phones

I assume we are being asked about the safety of the cell phone in the
laboratory and not etiquette.  Unless the lab is considered an area
where intrinsically safe or explosion proof equipment is only to be used
I would not consider it any more an explosion hazard than a
refrigerator, a computer, a computer monitor, a light switch or other
piece of electrical/electronic equipment one would expect to find in a
general laboratory.  I would understand requiring the phones to be
turned off since if the phone rings and it startles the laboratorians
then it does present a safety hazard.  

Should the ACS have a policy on cell phone usage in the lab?  I'm not
sure setting policy for others is a responsibility for the ACS.
Certainly, we can make some recommendations but policy?  The lab, or
school or business should set their own policy.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Funke [mailto:l_funke**At_Symbol_Here**acs.org] 
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 11:36 AM
To: A. Marcinkowsky; A. Hazari; Alaimo (R. Alaimo); antonucci; J.
Breazeale; burns; C. Bradley; dmcdonal**At_Symbol_Here**cvcc.edu; doemeny (L. Doemeny);
D. McDonald; D. Watson; elston (H. Elston); fivizzani (K. Fivizzani);
foster (Barbara Foster); gates (R. Gates); J. Delfiner; Lawrence Funke;
M. Cournoyer; Nevill (M. Nevill); S. Sichak; phifer (R. Phifer); redden
(P. Redden); R. Torrey; Schickedantz (P. Schickedantz); D. Schmidt;
segal; silber (H. Silber); Talley-home (E. Talley); D. Walters; W.
Wolsey
Subject: FW: Cell Phones

Bob, et al.,

I don't think there is a specific policy stated, but I would certainly
ban cell phone use from my teaching lab because it could be a serious
distraction.

Is some sort of statement from CCS needed?

Larry

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Gates [mailto:rgates**At_Symbol_Here**errc.ars.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 11:26 AM
To: l_funke**At_Symbol_Here**acs.org
Subject: Cell Phones

Good morning,

I had a question from someone today about cell phone usage in the
chemistry lab.   Does ACS have any policy or guidelines in this regard
or is any in the pipeline?   It isn't urgent but just a matter of
interest.  Thanks.

Happy Holidays!!

Bob Gates

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