unprepared labmates - (Jul/14/2009 )
hi all,
recently we've been facing this situation in my lab, there's a labmate who is not prepared and doesn't seem to care about the risks that his actions might lead to. walks around the lab with chemicals that should only be at the fumehood and already broke a centrifuge and a waterbath, after leaving it all weekend at 80 celsius, all he said was "oh i knew i would forget it! you have to remind me to turn these things off!"
how are we supposed to deal with a person who doesn't listen?
toejam on Jul 14 2009, 11:56 AM said:
recently we've been facing this situation in my lab, there's a labmate who is not prepared and doesn't seem to care about the risks that his actions might lead to. walks around the lab with chemicals that should only be at the fumehood and already broke a centrifuge and a waterbath, after leaving it all weekend at 80 celsius, all he said was "oh i knew i would forget it! you have to remind me to turn these things off!"
how are we supposed to deal with a person who doesn't listen?
Sorry to hear about your labmate! We have a similiar situation here (but not that bad). I just keep telling them *over and over* that EtBr should not be heated in the microwave!!!!!! Grrrrr...it makes me so CRANKY!!!! In the end I told the level co-ordinators what was happening. Clare = Lab Nazi!!! But I care about my own (and others) safety!
Make careful documentation of incidents and report them to your supervisor. If your supervisor doesn't take action, got to his/her supervisor. Repeat as needed.
Breaking equipment through carelessness is bad enough, but if this individual is doing things that may put others at risk, like handling hazardous chemicals inappropriately, you may have to consult with your workplace safety people, even to the point of filing an official greivance. If it comes to that, don't worry, you should be able to do so with complete anonymity.
My sympathies for your difficult situation, and best of luck.
the subject in matter has been absent from the lab for a couple of days. makes me wonder what he's up to...
toejam on Jul 16 2009, 01:12 PM said:
Perhaps he forgot where he works?
C
I have the same problems with a guy in my lab. I just email him with regarding the things he does and cc to his superior. He takes it seriously if he knows the PI knows
toejam on Jul 14 2009, 08:56 PM said:
A friend of mine recommended crushed aspirin for such people. You place an aspirin on their forehead, and crush it with a hammer.
swanny on Sep 16 2009, 07:26 AM said:
toejam on Jul 14 2009, 08:56 PM said:
A friend of mine recommended crushed aspirin for such people. You place an aspirin on their forehead, and crush it with a hammer.
hahahaha good one swanny!!
I hadn't seen that sadistic side of yours
latest update on labmate:
he asked the PI to take his pcr products out of the thermal cycler because he doesn't like to stay late
i'm seriously considering the crushed aspirin method....however, it's not up to me to decide his permanence in the lab.
And what did your PI answer????? 
But we have many of these its "4 and I drop my pencil/pippet/whatever and go home" people here.....and nobody of them takes out their PCR products from the thermocycler. I think they cannot imagine anybody working more than exactly 8h a day 