[Geoldept] Thin Section Lab problems

[Theresa Tripp]

For the second time in recent months, someone has used the drum sanders in the thin section lab to grind some kind of talc-rich rock (soapstone?). Both times, the person walked away leaving a big mess: dust thickly coating the equipment and bench top over the whole end of the room. The most recent incident occurred yesterday evening (Monday).

Generation of rock dust is a health hazard, and it represents and incompetent use of the equipment. Used properly, with water spray as a dust supressant,  none of the grinding or cutting equipments should ever generate airborne dust,

In addition to safety hazard issues, it is never acceptable to walk away leaving a big mess in a work area. Custodians do not clean  lab work areas, and cleaning up after you falls to other lab users. It is not our job to cleanup after you!

 Both times, the person who used the drum sanders failed to sign the log book. But whomever was responsible: you are no longer welcome as a user of this facility.

George Mustoe
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