Death at the Lathe

[radhak]

I would have been hard-pressed to pick the Lathe as a dangerous tool in the shop. But then I don't have long hair.

Yale student killed in freak lab accident after her hair gets caught in machine

Nobody stupid gets into Yale, and this NY Times piece says she was sharp, and always aware of safety issues.

But for this one time, I guess.

Time for all of us to review our shop practices, I daresay.

[Black wallnut]

It only takes a split second to ruin the rest of your days. Pretty sure the safety rules for that lathe are like all other power tools: remove loose clothing, secure long hair etc.

[phrog]

Seems like a lot of questions here. The article states: "but the cause of death remained unclear." Also, why was there a woodturning lathe in a chemistry lab. I took 4 1/2 years of college chemistry and never even saw a woodturning lathe until a few years ago. Definitely not something to be found in any of the chem labs I was in. Many more questions went through my mind on this one.

[durango dude]

It was an accident. Accidents happen -- even to very bright people. I'd likely introduce a new rule - never work alone.

Our physical science laboratory has all kinds of equipment - including a lathe.

My bet is she was designing a project/experiment on a metal lathe.

(not unusual for a high end student)

Advanced chemistry isn't far off from being physics.

[vaking]

"Sitting in front of the lathe with her hair caught in it" does not exactly describe the cause of death. It sounds like the lathe was not spinning when people arrived. If the lathe was not spinning - what caused the death? If she was killed by a spinning machinery - who stopped it?

[Stytooner]

I have a big red 4" button on my lathe that will stop all motion. It would still take time for it to spin down under no load though, but if something was caught, it could still do some damage.
I remember seeing on the web, the result of a guy caught in a large metal lathe. There was no question as to COD. His head was splayed open like filleting a fish.
I will never forget that image. Kinda sorry I looked.
It is a sad story. I often work alone, but always carry the cell on my belt just in case. Some accidents don't give you a chance to use the phone or an Estop though.
The lathe motor may have had a thermal overload safety or something.

[atgcpaul]

It was an accident. Accidents happen -- even to very bright people. I'd likely introduce a new rule - never work alone.

Our physical science laboratory has all kinds of equipment - including a lathe.

My bet is she was designing a project/experiment on a metal lathe.

(not unusual for a high end student)

Advanced chemistry isn't far off from being physics.

I wonder if the article said chemistry lab but meant astronomy lab which would
make more sense if she had to reshape a part for a telescope for example.

In any case this is a sad story. We have the same rule where we work, don't
work alone. Many of our chemists still do it and most of the lab accidents we
have happen after hours. I work in the automation group and definitely work
around some "widow makers". You just have to think ahead and stay safe.

Paul

[Alex Franke]

I wonder if the article said chemistry lab but meant astronomy lab which would make more sense if she had to reshape a part for a telescope for example.

The "chemistry lab" is actually Sterling Chemistry Lab, which I believe is the name of the building. There's a full machine shop in the basement of that building. Her hair was apparently caught in a wood lathe, according to an email by the university's president.

What a terrible accident...

[Alex Franke]

The article states: "but the cause of death remained unclear."

"Sitting in front of the lathe with her hair caught in it" does not exactly describe the cause of death.

Accidental "asphyxia due to neck compression" per the medical examiner.

[durango dude]

As the University’s investigation remains underway, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration has opened an investigation into whether the lab is in compliance with federal safety regulations, OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald said. OSHA sent an investigator to the scene today; the investigation, Fitzgerald said, could last as little as a few weeks or as long as six months, but he added that it is too early to establish a timetable.

Yikes - heads will roll ----

I've never seen a campus machine shop that would be fully OSHA compliant.

Academics tends to have a serious complex about their intelligence.

By comparison - a professional machine shop would be 150% compliant (they don't care about OSHA - but their insurance company has more stringent requirements).

[phrog]

The "chemistry lab" is actually Sterling Chemistry Lab, which I believe is the name of the building. There's a full machine shop in the basement of that building. Her hair was apparently caught in a wood lathe, according to an email by the university's president.

What a terrible accident...

Makes more sense than the original article.

[phrog]

Accidental "asphyxia due to neck compression" per the medical examiner.

Okay, I'll buy that.

[Richard in Smithville]

Accident, carelessness, bad work habits, or little experience. Doesn't matter how you look at it, someone lost a daughter. Just a plain tragedy.

[LCHIEN]

I imagine it was pretty gruesome.

[Toolhound]

Here is a link to a local TV newscast about this accident. The reporter said that Michelle was an astronomy and physics major.
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_hav...e-dufault-dies