Yale student dies in laboratory accident
As a chemistry student at Yale University is killed in a “true tragedy” while working alone in a laboratory at night, Channel 4 News looks at the safety rules for students at UK universities.
Michele Dufault died after her hair got caught in a lathe – a machine that spins and shapes hard materials.
Just weeks from graduating, Miss Dufault, 22, was studying for a BS in Astronomy and Physics. Her body was discovered by fellow students yesterday morning.
Yale University’s Vice President Linda Koch Lorimer said Miss Dufault’s death was a “terrible accident”. The Sterling Chemistry Laboratory, where the accident happened, was closed for the day.
President Richard Levin said: “The safety of our students is a paramount concern. The University has programs to train students before they use power equipment.
“Nonetheless, I have initiated a thorough review of the safety polices and practices of laboratories, machine shops and other facilities with power equipment that is accessed and operated by undergraduates”.
This would cover both the arts and science faculties, he said.
Students 'nocturnal' due to work load
In the strange and often lonely world of the graduate science student it is often common practice to be working late and alone, writes Channel 4 News science correspondent Tom Clarke, who did a PhD in America.
And scientific night-owls are comfortable in the knowledge the greats went that way before them. Isaac Newton would famously work for days on end without food or sleep.
Read more: Students 'nocturnal' due to work load
Student safety in the UK
It is the responsibility of each individual university in the UK to set the safety standards that protect its students.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills told Channel 4 News that there are no nationwide, government-set standards that universities have to meet, as there would be for schools looking after under-18s for instance.
The University College London (UCL) Slade School of Fine Art told Channel 4 News that its students have access to their art studios out of hours.
However, they are only allowed to operate the heavy machinery during teaching hours. These workshops, which are supervised during the day, are locked at night.
A spokesman for UCL said that the students are shown videos and given in-depth rules and regulations to follow.
Science students at Oxford University, meanwhile, are not allowed to perform experimental work alone in a chemistry lab outside the normal working hours of 8am-6pm.
The university says supervisors are responsible for ensuring that students know the rules and must prepare Risk Assessments for the students to fill out ahead of their experiments.
However, in a safety note to students, the Physics Department echoes that of many UK universities’ science departments: “You still have responsibility for your own safety and the safety of anyone else who may be affected by what you do.”
The spokesman for UCL pointed out that schools have nationwide rules in place because they are responsible for under-18s.
“Universities set their own standards,” the UCL said. “Individual labs operate their own conditions”.
Universities UK, the Higher Education action group, told Channel 4 News: “Universities take the welfare of their students and staff very seriously. Their duty of care is of utmost concern and universities adhere to a substantial range of relevant health and safety legislation. All will have safety policies in place.”
A survey by the National Union of Students on student experiences in 2008 found that the majority of students taking subjects that require practical work, such as science subjects, “say that their needs are met”.
Student reaction @channel4news on Twitter:
@AlitheaP I worked at night in micro lab during PhD but no access to analytical machines after hrs. Security guards checked every few hr
@JoRowlingRocks surely they should be allowed, as long as they know how to use the equipment. They are adults!
@biscuit_ersed Universities should be completing Lone Worker risk assessments. If they don't & something happens they could face prosecution
@lauren_glenury this particular story is tragic, but don't take away evening & weekend resources from those who need them.
@ lauren_glenury I was given proper training before I was allowed to do experiments myself.
@foxbasealpha I did Music & Sound Recording @ Surrey and there had to be two people for location or out of hours studio work.
@lauren_glenury never had one,never seen one,never heard of one in my building. Abdn's rules seem fine
@rachlouhop we get fobs for after hours working, no way we'd all get projects done otherwise b/c of pressures on resources + lack of comps
@ ash_lah perhaps a proficiency test should be mandatory to students who may be working outside of hours. Keeping everyone in the clear?
@lovelychaos night / day, supervised / not, tying your hair back is science safety 101 that I was taught age 11. Tragic yes, avoidable yes.
@tomward Local rules in our institute prohibit anyone from working alone out of hours.
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