Michele Dufault '11 dies in Sterling Chemistry Laboratory accident
Online Exclusive
Michele Dufault '11 dies in Sterling Chemistry Laboratory accident
Online Exclusive
Michele Dufault '11 Photo by Facebook.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
UPDATED: 6:30 p.m. Michele Dufault '11, an astronomy and physics major from Massachusetts, died last night in an accident in Sterling Chemistry Laboratory, University President Richard Levin confirmed in a campuswide e-mail at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“Vice President Lorimer, Dean Miller, and I have met with the family of Michele Dufault to extend our deepest sympathy and to offer all the assistance we can possibly provide at their most difficult time of grief,” Levin wrote in the e-mail, adding: “This is a true tragedy.”
An autopsy conducted at the Connecticut Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington Wednesday afternoon determined that Dufault died from an accidental "asphyxia due to neck compression," OCME Investigator Kathy Wilson said.
Dufault was a member of the Yale Precision Marching Band and a Saybrugian. In an e-mail to Saybrook students, Master Edward Kamens '74 GRD '82 expressed shock and sadness at Dufault's death. He added in a later e-mail that there will be a vigil held for her in the Killingworth ("Grass") Courtyard of Saybrook at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
While working in the Laboratory’s machine shop, Michele’s hair got caught in one of the shop’s wood lathes, Levin wrote in the e-mail. A lathe is a large machine used in woodworking and metal working that molds objects through use of a rotating mechanism.
Other students working in the building found Dufault’s body and called the police, who responded to the scene. New Haven Police Department Spokesman Joseph Avery confirmed that the NHPD received a 911 call around 2:30 a.m. asking for assistance at the Laboratory, but he added that the call may have been YPD officers calling for backup.
The machine shop is located in the building's basement. According to the chemistry department's website, access to the room where students and faculty "construct or modify research instrumentation" is "strictly limited to those who have completed the shop course."
The accident closed Sterling Chemistry Laboratory, cancelling all classes inside. Levin wrote in the letter that the University has begun “a thorough review of the safety policies and practices of laboratories, machine shops, and other facilities with power equipment that is accessed and operated by undergraduates,” adding that this includes both arts and science facilities.
“The safety of our students is a paramount concern,” Levin wrote.
During the review, undergraduate access to facilities with power equipment will be restricted to certain hours when monitors are present, Levin said. Steven Girvin, deputy provost for science and technology, will lead the review, he said
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.
Because both students and University employees use the machine shop, the incident falls under OSHA's jurisdiction, Fitzgerald said.
"If there was a possibility there was hazard that might affect employees, then we would want to look into it," he said.
David Johnson, the research support specialist listed as the instructor for the shop, could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.
Comments
tclady 1 year, 1 month ago
is there any information anywhere about what kind of accident this was? this is shocking, confusing, and just terrible. sending love and prayers to the DuFault family.
student 1 year, 1 month ago
yes, I would like to know the nature of the accident as well. Not for gore and shock, but because it would be helpful to us, as other students in science labs, to know what she was working with and use greater caution to avoid this in the future. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. She seemed like a truly wonderful girl, what a loss to the world.
doubleblue 1 year, 1 month ago
Just a couple weeks before graduation - how heartbreaking. Peace be with the family.
MsMoneypenny 1 year, 1 month ago
How terribly sad. Thoughts going out to her family and friends. This has been a tragic couple of years for Yalies.
MsMoneypenny 1 year, 1 month ago
How terribly sad. Thoughts going out to her family and friends. This has been a tragic couple of years for Yalies.
mikedinatale 1 year, 1 month ago
The entire Scituate community is in shock and mourning; our prayers are with you
Sara 1 year, 1 month ago
What a horrible, unfathomable tragedy. The NH Register reports that this was a lathe accident.
Unfortunately, lathe injuries involving clothing or long hair caught in the machine are fairly common. I hope that there will be a renewed attention to machine tool safety, particularly lathe safety, at Yale and elsewhere.
thunderhen2010 1 year, 1 month ago
please be praying for the campus as well. what a terrible loss.
UnaPalomaBlanca 1 year, 1 month ago
RIP - she was a great woman and a wonderful friend.
YalieAwesome2012 1 year, 1 month ago
Prayers with her family----Even if you didn't know her, she was a Yalie and therefore a member of our family too
jendicott 1 year, 1 month ago
God bless Michele and her family, and the campus.
FailBoat 1 year, 1 month ago
We decided to grab dinner some time this week to catch up on our lives. Now I'm going to have to eat alone, thinking about how much I miss you.
From the many times we talked about it, I know you would have thought it a bit silly, but I'm praying for your family and friends. I know you wouldn't have wanted my prayers, and that's fine because you don't need them - I know you're in heaven now.
I'm sitting here in my room sobbing, and I don't see myself ever stopping.
ohno 1 year, 1 month ago
This young woman encouraged me not to give up on an astrophys course we took together, helped me as a bewildered freshman through problem sets, sent me emails to check up on how I liked this or that course, all because of her passion for what she studied and her generous nature. She'll be so missed, and my heart goes out to her friends on campus. I'm honored to even have been an acquaintance and classmate.
Shocking and tragic.
Inigo_Montoya 1 year, 1 month ago
To Michele's family, if you are reading this,
It was an honor to know Michele. She was an extraordinarily kind young woman, a talented scientist, and a true and loyal friend. We will miss her.
My thoughts and condolences go out to all of you.
Scheherazade 1 year, 1 month ago
I'm so sorry to read about this. As an alumna, and as someone who works with college students, I want Michele's parents and friends to know that I grieve with you. She sounds like a young woman with kindness and so much promise. My heart is heavy.
cocitizen 1 year, 1 month ago
May God be with her and her family. Condolences to the whole Yale family.
YeahImaMom 1 year, 1 month ago
My heart goes out to Michele's parents, family and friends. God be with you, and I pray that beautiful memories in time will be of comfort to you. My condolences, also, to all of Yale at this time of sorrow.
theJackal 1 year, 1 month ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
ghost76 1 year, 1 month ago
i have investigated several industrial accidents in my career.... at least three involved machinery with rotating parts (lathes, drill presses) pulling victims by the hair- two were women with long hair that was not up, the third a man with a long beard. the man and one of the women sustained horrible disfiguring injuries, the third victim was killed. a simple oversight can lead to a fatal accident. was there a safety oversight? was there improper workplace practice? was the student properly trained? when i did my lab work at sterling in the 70s, i look back and reallize how sloppy and error prone my activities were- safety practice was the last thing on my mind. lets not be too quick to judge, but safe work practices can never be overemphasized, no matter how sharp the student or how distinquished the facility and faculty.
theJackal 1 year, 1 month ago
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Yalie 1 year, 1 month ago
I think it's worth asking people to consider their comments carefully before posting, as many of the victim's friends and family might well see them. This is an awful, unfathomable tragedy and I don't see any need for talking about industrial safety or emphasizing the nature of the accident. There will be a time and place for that, but it is not here and now.
yalebird 1 year, 1 month ago
@theJackal
Dude, a woman just died. If you're going to make a point about workplace safety, at least employ a modicum of taste.
adrianvance 1 year, 1 month ago
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thetoysurgreon 1 year, 1 month ago
I work in a safety department at a major southern university. Some day university administrators will enforce and stand behind safety on campuses nationwide. Look up the stats on how many staff/students are injured and killed on campuses nationwide. This is the 21st century and university safety should include industrial safety. This poor girl should have been trained in using machinery. Safety is always first and is not just a check box for future grant reviews.
JE14 1 year, 1 month ago
@The Jackal Really? Do you really need to make misogynist comments on this board when a woman just died? If you go to Yale, Administrators should track your IP and kick you out asap.
My thoughts go out for the family and friends. I can only imagine what you must be going through.
SY10 1 year, 1 month ago
This is unbelievably sad! I only knew Michele in passing, but she was always friendly and kind, and was clearly very smart. My condolences to her family and to all those who knew her better than I did.
Madas 1 year, 1 month ago
@theJackal & JennyL
Since you've already made this about your pet issues rather than the tragedy at hand, I can't resist responding. First of all, without knowing the details, it's hard to evaluate the situation. That said, Michele was very competently trained. She took two semesters of shop training and knew her way around the machines. Obviously that doesn't make her an expert, but you shouldn't make it seem like she wandered in and didn't know what she was doing. This sounds like a tragic accident that might have happened even if someone had been supervising, not the result of incompetence or negligence.
Why was she there? Because she loved what she was doing. Why does Yale have machine shops? So students can build awesome projects like the Yale drop team project which Michele was a part of. For many students, the shop is a marvelous supplement to working on problem sets all day. It is a very necessary part of the curriculum that provides valuable real world experience to otherwise abstract, theoretical knowledge. To use this tragedy to push your personal agenda against the shops is disgustingly opportunistic. Do you mind actually waiting to see what happened before judging all involved?
My condolences to Michele's family. She was a lovely person and will be missed by all who knew her.
virginiayalie 1 year, 1 month ago
What a devastating loss for Michele's parents. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. May they find lots of support during this time.
May this also be a place to sympathize with her family- not a place to post comments that might cause further grief.
TaylorT 1 year, 1 month ago
This is such a tragic story. In a machine shop, you can do all the right things and still get hurt. My thoughts and prayers are with the Dufault family.
APEppink 1 year, 1 month ago
What a horrible thing. I'm so sorry. People should know not to run machine tools and equipment generally with long hair not tied up, long sleeves, jewelry, rings etc. Though I hope it wasn't the case here, you tell some guys and they just don't listen. Without an overriding safety emphasis industrial jobs are killing fields, very dangerous.
Branford73 1 year, 1 month ago
Awful pointless death. Can anyone who knew her post some things about her? She ought to be remembered for the life she lived instead of how she died.
Y_2011 1 year, 1 month ago
A woman with friends and family died. Although obviously there needs to be an assessment of the safety issues that may have been involved eventually, it's not appropriate to jump to conclusions with such little information. Our community is grieving, and I ask that commentators respect that.
rachael07 1 year, 1 month ago
TheJackal: Shame on you for speaking so disrespectfully about this woman (not 'girl') in a place where those who loved her will find your hateful words. This death was incredibly tragic and there is no call to blame the victim. Her family is currently experiencing unspeakable, unbearable loss. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Y_2011 1 year, 1 month ago
@Branford73
I wasn't close to her, but I knew her and she was a wonderful person. She showed her school spirit by playing in the YPMB. She was encouraged women to pursue the sciences. She was involved in the humanist group through the Chaplain's office. She was on the drop team and got to go on zero gravity flights. She took advantage of all the opportunities here at Yale and it's a tragic that such a positive person left us so soon.
JohnnyVortex 1 year, 1 month ago
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Andreology 1 year, 1 month ago
Thank you, Michele, for taking risks in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Those of us who spend our days working at a computer desktop or another low-risk environment owe you a debt of gratitude. The discoveries of chemists bring comfort and healing to the world, and we too often do not appreciate the difficulty of your work. Let light perpetual shine upon you.
APEppink 1 year, 1 month ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
DD 1 year, 1 month ago
Please, everyone, ignore TheJackal, JennyL and any other trolls on this thread. They are nothing but children trying to push peoples' buttons.
As for this story, details aren't the point here. Those should remain private out of respect for Michele's family. It's up to them whether or not to share. What is the point is that a lovely young woman lost her life. I wish her family and friends peace.
theantiyale 1 year, 1 month ago
Free speech in mourning situations seems cruel. Isn't there a way for a digital "mourning book" to be created to which friends and relatives could be re-routed so they would be spared the insensitivity found here?
My sincere condolences.
Paul Keane
M. Div. '80
Duka 1 year, 1 month ago
My condolences to Michele family. This type of tradgedy should not happen...especially at a University Laboratory. As a safety professional.... if the right process/procedures were in place, students trained properly and the area monitoried in someway this would not have happened. A lathe can be a very dangerous piece of equipment that usually only skilled trades person is trained on with years of experience. It doesen't appear the safety guildlines were in place to prevent accident and/or incident. Terrible.
Duka 1 year, 1 month ago
And to Andreology.... in this case the risk should have been midigated.
Lisame4 1 year, 1 month ago
May God wrap his loving arms around Michele and her family...My deepest condolences!
YuYu 1 year, 1 month ago
My condolences to the family and friends of a remarkable young woman who has lost her life in such a tragic accident. I often work in fabrication labs after hours--so I really sympathize and tear up at the thought that while working hard in the late hours of night all by herself, Michele was taken by surprise by such terrible misfortune.
nfelddav 1 year, 1 month ago
Michele was one of the kindest people I've met at Yale. She was brilliant, and dedicated to everything she did. I know I speak for many people when I say that I owe her so much, and will never forget her.
JoeNJ 1 year, 1 month ago
This is truly a terrible , sad accident. I hope changes are made immediately, perhaps wearing a hair net when using the lathe. Rest in peace.
attentive 1 year, 1 month ago
I am heartbroken over this news and want to extend my deepest condolences to Michele's family, friends, and colleagues. I hope her phenomenal accomplishments, both professional and personal, will eventually give you some comfort.
PDX 1 year, 1 month ago
So sad to hear about this. Although details have not been released at this point, it seems likely that long hair is the likely culprit for an accident with a lathe. It is very tempting to just tie hair back, but it is MUCH safer to either put it in a tight bun or braid it and pin it up securely. Lathes will grab strands and twist them at many RPM, even tearing a person's scalp off, and other ghastly results. So sorry that this happened. It is, unfortunately, a fairly common problem around lathes. Don't wear GLOVES, don't wear LONG SLEEVES, don't wear NECKLACES, don't wear BRACELETS, and definitely be very meticulous about keeping hairs under tight control...or else this sort of tragedy might happen to you.
Yale12 1 year, 1 month ago
Let's not use this comment board to criticize or even discuss safety practices. There will be times for that, later. Right now, it's the time to mourn and remember Michele.
tamarata 1 year, 1 month ago
It is inconceivable that inexperienced and obviously ill-trained students are given unsupervised access to heavy and dangerous machinery. Was there no one to monitor student activities in this machine shop? Is that true? That's just crazy!. Clearly this student did not realize or appreciate the potential for accident or injury when she failed to pull her hair back at the lathe, a basic safety precaution, that should have been emphasized repeatedly in training. And there should be an appropriate number of experienced machinists on duty at all times to enforce these safety guild lines. Michele Dufault parents entrusted their precious daughter to Yale, her education AND her well being was in Yale's hands, and Yale let them down in the most devastating and tragic way. My heart goes out to Michele's family and friends.
Inigo_Montoya 1 year, 1 month ago
To all the people making "lab safety" comments: I took the machine shop class. It teaches all the proper precautions you mention. I knew Michele. She was a careful person with plenty of common sense. Accidents can still happen. Now please, please STOP making these comments. Stop speculating about procedures you have no way of knowing she didn't follow.
Yale and Michele's family and friends have suffered a tragic loss. The focus should be on what a brilliant, kind, and humble young woman she was. We will miss her terribly.
Leah 1 year, 1 month ago
@tamarata: I've taken class in the machine shop, and I can vouch for Dave Johnson's commitment to safety and safety instruction. Students who have been appropriately trained (which occurs for ~4 hrs a week for an entire semester) are allowed to use the machine shop unsupervised. For engineering students, access to the machine shop is essential to their classwork. Sometimes accidents happen, even if people are taking precautions. If anything went wrong institutionally, that will be addressed by the investigation, but, if you have never visited the shop or talked to the instructor, it is premature for you to criticize the current rules.
madmax 1 year, 1 month ago
Absolutely horrific, and as a parent of 5 kids, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain the parents must be feeling (I know friends and other family feel the pain as well, but I think nothing like a parent). I hope something meaningful can come out of this terrible tragedy for the family.
I was so saddened by this and kind of upset, that I showed it to my daughter in 8th grade, especially as she has a shop class and lab where they work with fairly heavy duty equipment. The first words out of her mouth were, "Dad, Mrs. Crower my lab teacher tells us every single lab how important it is to put our hair up in a bun and enforces that rule mercilessly." I will send this article to her science teacher in any case!
madmax 1 year, 1 month ago
While many of the posts here are rather insensitive, those of you demanding that only certain types of posts be written can't expect those who didn't know this amazing young woman to relate to her as you may. The Drudge Report linked to this story and so Michele's story will reach many millions of people and will have an impact on them, as it did on me, in ways that differ from the impact it has on you.
Some percentage of the millions of people who read this story will have questions on what exactly happened, they will be concerned because they have kids in high school or college who work with such equipment, and those working with such equipment in an academic setting will be interested in learning more and understanding how they can minimize their own risk. In fact if this story and the discussions that follow can prevent even a small number of accidents from happening in the near future, that is already one positive thing that can come out of this.
lr222000 1 year, 1 month ago
So sorry to hear of such an accident. It's no fun losing such a fight, but my sympathies to her family for the loss. I hope the shop steward was present at least. A classmate of mine caugh his hand in a hobart meat grinder. Don't ask how bad it is, because it usually is very bad with any shop equipment, even a paper shredder can do real bad damage.
The dangers of working with any shop equipment should be taken very serious. Not even OSHA would help you. Many men have lost against the powers of all shop equipment.
sdearp 1 year, 1 month ago
Yale and Michele's family and friends have suffered a tragic loss. The focus should be on what a brilliant, kind, and humble young woman she was. We will miss her terribly.
You are right and wrong with this statement. I do feel very sad at the loss of a well educated young lady but that does not excuse the lack of safety precautions. Precautions I use in my shop and have always used everywhere I have worked. 1 Never machine alone, period. 2. Never machine late at night when you are tired and not at you peak performance. 3. Every emergency part can wait a few more hours no matter who it's for. I tell my students it's my job to make sure they have safe equipment and for them to enjoy machining whatever their project is. Everyone can be a Monday morning quarterback on this one but it will not help or bring back Michele. My thoughts and prayers go to the friends, extended family, and especially to the mother and father of this wonderfully thought of young lady. My last thought is I hope Yale does not go overboard and shut down every student shop seeing that is the easy way out. All the students need to understand and learn how to machine parts for their projects how else is the next generation going to succeed against the rest of the world?
karen44 1 year, 1 month ago
My thoughts,and prayers go out to Michelle's family,and friends!
taral 1 year, 1 month ago
i am a nursing student at a school close to yale but i knew michelle from middle school and high school. she was the type of person that people would say the world needs more of. in todays world, most people are content thinking of themselves w/ out a thought or care about the well being of others. michelle was not like this. helping and caring was part of her nature. she was always thinking of others. her intellect was so high, i remember thinking she was a genius. i could never even hope to understand some of the math problems she would solve or the science experiments she performed. you would think that someone so smart would laugh or get a kick out of my blonde comments or questions, but michelle's did not think of things or people that way. she was the captain of our crew team when we were seniors at nobles and was a strong athlete. she enjoyed competition and led her boats and our team to many victories, especially against groton. thinking about her makes my jaw drop at how perfect and great she was. even though we are the same age she is someone i looked up to...i defiantly will still continue to. from being a nursing student, through my clinical experiences, unfortunately i have learned that life can get cut short. i still have not come to terms with the unfairness of this. it is not fair that such an awesome person cannot continue their life while others can. i just really hope she knew how special she was....
tofte 1 year, 1 month ago
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends. I’ve been a machinist in the military for 22 years and this looks like a massive training program failure or the lack of a training program altogether. If these are school machines the school is responsible for the training and safety of the people using them. I cannot believe her hair was down. It makes me think what else was wrong, did he have loose clothing (long sleeve shirt, lab coat or such, safety glasses ect. None of these would have saved this poor girl in this situation; however the absence of adherence to the other for mentioned safety precautions would tell me this section does not have a very effective safety policy and is most likely an unsupervised section. It is common practice (at least in the military) that no one be alone when using heavy equipment because of scenarios like this; anything can happen and there are always risks when using equipment like this, cutters braking, parts flying out of machines, I’ve even seen 80-100 lb chucks get thrown across a shop because it was improperly secured. Our safety program exposes us to the raw truths of machine and equipment use; everything from lost fingers from wearing rings to loose hair and clothing pulling people into the equipment (complete with pictures to really get it to sink in). A supervised section would have not only ensured there was proper training but would have most likely have ensured all loose clothing, hair and rings were properly worn or removed thereby preventing incidents like this.
FromTN 1 year, 1 month ago
Just want to extend my sympathy to the family and friends of this wonderful young woman. I live in Nashville and have a nephew attending Yale. He called me today and told me this terrible news. I can't get it out of my mind. I hope the Dufault family has lots of support to help them through this tragedy.
mxj 1 year, 1 month ago
Michele, RIP.
Madas 1 year, 1 month ago
@tofte:
Why don't you actually get off your couch and check out the training program for yourself? I have gone through the training program and it was made very apparent to me just how dangerous these machines are. Countless times I saw the shop manager tell people they need to tie their hair back. Everyone is required to wear glasses. Perhaps giving limited access after hours was a mistake, but you weren't supposed to work in there alone. Just possibly, such a thing as a tragic accident exists? Or must we always find someone to blame?
Also, why are undergraduates being singled out here? They go through the same training as the graduate students.
ArdanMichaelBlum 1 year, 1 month ago
https://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Michele-Dufault/190541990990877 <
This page is a place to share memories, thoughts, and Love. - There will be gathering in the Killingworth ("Grass") Courtyard of Saybrook College tonight (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. to remember Michele Dufault. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.
Please view: http://dailybulletin.yale.edu/article.aspx?id=8452
dowc 1 year, 1 month ago
madas -- thank you for your sane comments! I'm appalled at the blame game going on here! how in the world can any of us know whether the issue is with safety precautions or whether this was an freak accident? (news flash: freak accidents DO happen) i'd be surprised if any of the blame-game posters was in the chem lab last night. it may well be that safety precautions weren't sufficient, but it's equally possible that the procedures were excellent and that an accident still happened. how can these posters possibly know today -- less than 24 hours after the tragedy?
right now we should be thinking about Michele and her family. our thoughts and prayers are with the Dufault family.
theantiyale 1 year, 1 month ago
"While many of the posts here are rather insensitive, those of you demanding that only certain types of posts be written . . . "
"Only certain types of posts" is not my suggestion. My suggestion is that a digital CONDOLENCE BOOK be created (by Yale itself of YDN?) so the bereaved can avoid the "news article response" type posts which often seem insensitive here. It seems to me our new world of digital community ought to be able to provide for this type of expression.
Paul Keane
M. Div. '80
Tbone03 1 year, 1 month ago
I'd just like to express my deepest sympathies to those friends and family of Michele. It is very apparent she was an exceptional young woman. Keep going with the happy memories you have, and she is watching over you all from heaven. Much love to the Dufault family and friends. <3
Yalie 1 year, 1 month ago
In partial answer to Paul Keane's suggestion, there is a facebook memorial page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Michele-Dufault/190541990990877
adrianvance 1 year, 1 month ago
As a chem major undergrad many years ago I can tell you we had plenty of accidents, but the main dangers were poisoning, burns, gassings and explosions. I do not understand the "machine shop" bit unless she were making a pressure vessel or some such. This is a great tragedy in any case and it should be thoroughly investigated to improve safety at Yale.
For ideas, science and humor see The Two Minute Conservative at http://adrianvance.blogspot.com for radio/TV hosts, opinion page editors and you. Also daily on Kindle.
destuffilator 1 year, 1 month ago
@Madas:
You have obviously never done a lick of manual labor in your life, and the extent of your knowledge of machinery must be limited to "college workshops". This is indeed a horrific event, but unless you've spent some time in the real world, you would know how extremely dangerous machinery can be if not properly prepared to work around them. I would suggest you get a clue; accidents do happen. But with proper training, they are substaintially reduced. And as most machine operators KNOW...accidents are MAINLY caused by operator error.
My condolences to her family.
BR2013 1 year, 1 month ago
I only met her once, and in passing. She was such a positive and bright human being and her loss is one that the entire Yale community will feel. R.I.P. Michele.
NHRob 1 year, 1 month ago
I'm sorry for her and her family. This accident was totally preventable though. As a machine shop manager for many years, OSHA and any shop's safety protocol will state, no loose clothing, no long hair unless it's tied back and no loose jewelry, among many other rules. Either she ignored these rules, or the shop and the university, is at fault. A person should never be alone working around such equipment either.
Yale is at fault here in several ways, no matter what stance they take. These accidents should NEVER happen! Too bad!
Madas 1 year, 1 month ago
@destuffilator
Ah, here come the elitism accusations. I assume you're from Drudge, and, it embarrasses me that we both claim the title of conservative. You seem to "know" a lot about me for someone I've never met. I guess you're just good at reading between the lines.
Your dead wrong, but I suppose its easier to avoid rational conversation if you think me incapable of it. Besides the countless projects I've worked on with thousands of hours put into the shops, I worked grounds and facilities at a big company for two summers, and spent I don't know how many hours helping my dad build our house from scratch. Somehow I imagine that won't be enough for you, but I'm just cynical.
As I said, I am aware how dangerous machines can be. I am aware what the proper precautions were. THESE PRECAUTIONS WERE STRESSED. I am aware they may not have been followed. Whether that's true and why it happened if it is, I cannot say. Neither, however, can you. Nor can you speak to the safety training at a facility you've probably never heard of until today.
Siobhra 1 year, 1 month ago
I spent about 30 years of my life as a machine operator running lathes and milling machines. I have never seen anyone with just a 'safety class' I would trust running a lathe without close watch. With a person with less than a year or two you need to watch them like a hawk. They do not respect the machine for the first few years. And that is with a person working a machine 40 hours per week.
And I think it is totally wrong to let anyone run any machine alone. This is what happens when you do.
Rendezvous 1 year, 1 month ago
Oh man... My sincere condolences to the family, friends, and community. I'm a Princeton student and I like to whine about our restricted shop hours... And it's tragic that it happened like this but it really puts things into perspective. You go to a fancy school and everyone thinks they're immortal until it becomes painfully obvious that they're not.
We can talk about safety precautions all day and never come up with anything but a list of "What-ifs", but the immediate lesson here is to keep your friends and family close. Accidents will happen no matter how prepared you are.
Machinist71 1 year, 1 month ago
My heart goes out to Michele's family,I didn't know her,but from what I am reading we lost someone with great potential.It is always a tragedy when someone leaves the world so young.
As a Machinist with 25+years of experience I can only say to those of you running machinery Please,please follow all safety rules and be vigilant for yourself and others. For guys and gals with long hair,while it can be tied back or tucked in the safest plan is cutting to collar length. I have seen enough accidents in my time,I have seen enough blood,always respect the machine in front of you because it doesn't respect you.
.
glcanon 1 year, 1 month ago
I'm reminded of the video-taping tower that collapsed at Notre Dame. The young man in the tower was texting his friends that the wind was causing the tower to sway and he joked it might be his last day on earth, but amazingly he didn't come down. There were plenty people around, but no one said anything. This young man was also about to graduate. ND learned something about safety, supervision, and responsibility that day. In the real world, there are lab rules (and OSHA laws) about the operation of such lab equipment. My brother is a lab tech and he often complains about not being able to make up missed work. He has an autistic son and sometimes has to leave work early. When I asked why he couldn't catch up after hrs, he looked at me like I was stupid and said b/c at least two people must be present in the lab, for safety reasons, and he refused to drag one of his colleagues in after hours as his safety just so he could catch up. Always a safety, never alone. That is real world. Yale has learned the hard way, just like Notre Dame. So tragic for Michele, her family, and the world. She might have been the next Carl Sagan or Jacques Cousteau.
yalestudent 1 year, 1 month ago
My deepest condolences to Michele's family and friends.
All of the comments discussing workshop safety just underline the difference between being part of a community that has experienced a tragedy and being a random internet surfer who happens upon an article that piques interest. All those who are already placing blame, already cruelly speculating about potential workshop safety problems, can only be speaking from a place of ignorance, as so little information has been released. They certainly know nothing of what really matters here-- that a wonderful young woman has been lost to our community.
theJackal 1 year, 1 month ago
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Yalewoman 1 year, 1 month ago
So sad to hear this tragic news. Heartfelt condolences to Michele's family and friends.
je2014 1 year, 1 month ago
@theJackal: how dare you continue to make misogynistic, insensitive, and self-serving comments? You should be ashamed of yourself and take your nasty self elsewhere. I dearly hope I never meet you because you are the scum of the earth. Michele deserves so much more respect than that. May she rest in peace.
Ystudent 1 year, 1 month ago
Unbelievably heartbreaking. A kind, intelligent and inspirational young woman was taken from us far too soon. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Dufault family.
cco 1 year, 1 month ago
Look at Michele's death and be reminded that it could all end, for any of us, at any time, without warning. But then we must also look at how she lived and be inspired to make our time on Earth really count.
My condolences to her friends, colleagues, and family.
Chris Owens, Ph.D. '90
Ciarrai 1 year, 1 month ago
Having only heard of this tragedy late this afternoon, I was interested to find out how another Yale student had died. Upon reading reading about Michele Dufault it occurred to me that it doesn't get much sadder than this. I want to send out my love and support for Michele's family and close friends and for the Yale community in this time of grief and terrible loss.
wetterwashington 1 year, 1 month ago
My deepest sympathies to her family, friends and those that she was working with in the shop.
It was just last week my wife had her hair caught in the chuck of one of our lathes, fortunately she only lost a few strands of hair. She also now has a strap that permanently keeps her hair behind her.
andy 1 year, 1 month ago
May your light envelop the world, Michele.
tamarata 1 year, 1 month ago
I stand by my earlier statement, and I think everyone here with a lick of experience in a machine shop or in the operation of heavy equipment backs me up. Clearly there is no substitute for experience in this situation. One training course, a few hours a week, for a semester, does not qualify you to work in a machine shop, certainly not without supervision. Even the most experienced machinist would not be allowed to work alone on a lathe, if that is indeed what happened. Obviously, there is a safety issue here. Mistakes have been made and they need to be addressed. And this is not about blame, it's about responsibility. That responsibility fall squarely and unequivocally on YALE. This is a laps in safety protocal and training, pure and simple. You watch how this plays out, and you'll see the truth of what I'm saying. I guarantee you there will be an experienced supervisor with a mind for safety in that machine shop from now on. If not, I would encourage the student body to demand one for there own safety and protection. There must be no more undergraduate students alone in the machine shop. Full stop.
Now look, I know you Yalies love your school, and rightfully so. It is a great school. A wonderful school. And you are absolutely privileged to be there, and you've earned that privileged. You are the best and the brightest, as was Michele, and that's what makes this so tragic. And yes, mistakes happen, sometimes with horrible results. But it is incumbent on Yale to accept full responsibility for this tragic accident, and to do everything in its power to insure that something like this never ever happens again. In fact, I would expect nothing less from this fine institution.
johnnybe 1 year, 1 month ago
Wrong Wrong Wrong - EVERYBODY...
The ONLY issue here is that the lab was still open for use at ≈ 2:00 A.M
THAT is IT...add back in whatever variable you argued: supervision...advanced training...hair safety - whatever! You could have multiple supervisors, have them only using CNC, and make them all shave their heads - the metal shop should NOT be open at that hour...AND having later hours just during the late semester cram would make even LESS sense for a machine shop...
and sorry to say this but yes, like Yale admins, i too would be interested in a tox screen...it's the Ivies after-all...
connman250 1 year, 1 month ago
Sorry, but this blog is to comment on a story in the Yale Daily News. Some of the comments here do not fit with a university that should charish freedom of speech. Of course this is a very tragic story, and my deppest condolences go out to the Dufault family.
This is what we know about this tragic accident: Ms. Dufault was alone in the machine shop, running a lathe. Her hair was caught in the machinery.
OSHA will investigate and come up with fines and remedies to fix the problem, and there were many problems here. Machine shops are a dangerous place and accidents can happen, but you can never work around moving machinery with long hair, ties or hanging jewelry. And never can anyone be in a machine shop alone. If this was any type of company in this state, it would have been shut down long ago. A machine shop is not a place to be taken lightly, as just a place to finish a school project, as seems to be the case here.
particulate 1 year, 1 month ago
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particulate 1 year, 1 month ago
I do not understand why my earlier comment was removed, but in case it was because it I was too suggestive I will make it less so: I suggested that foul play might have been involved in this young woman's death and that I felt it was necessary to speak up about the possibility since no one else had already done so. For a person to be so careful and intelligent to also be involved in such a suspiciously timed (2am?), yet seemingly easily explainable, accident seems too convenient. I certainly don't intend any rudeness or insensitivity by my suggestion of foul play. In fact I feel absolutely opposed to that line of thinking. I only feel empathy for her and her family's plight.
Before you delete this comment, I want to discuss the hypocrisy of your desire to edit MY speculations about Michele Dufault's death when so many earlier comments do exactly the same thing. Why am I being censored when I have read innumerable opinions about how well she did or did not tie up her hair while using the lab machine???
preventabletragedy 1 year, 1 month ago
What a sad story. My heart goes out to her friends and family. The medical examiner has determined that Michele died of asphyxiation; she was found by other students sitting in a chair at the lathe with her hair caught in the machine. This means that the tragedy was almost certainly preventable, and all that would have been required to prevent it would have been for the shop to follow standard safety practice (presence of an experienced supervisor, for example). It is unlikely that she could have died from asphyxiation unless there was no one else present in the shop to help free her from the machine immediately after she got caught. The point being, this is a textbook example of why tort law exists. Preliminarily, it looks like a pretty open and shut case of negligence on the part of the University. I hope that the family sues, BIG TIME. Tort law is so often misused, but in cases like this one it really has a value both to justice and to society.
johnnybe 1 year, 1 month ago
Again - Wrong Wrong Wrong...
WRONG - she wasn't attempting a personal best in the bench press. I have a home shop...I work almost exclusively alone - and that cliche rule was adopted for the workplace via lawsuits.
WRONG - you and the rest are assuming that her hair was down and not pulled back AND that would unarguably make this graduating senior in the sciences at an Ivy a complete idiot - very doubtful... Have you seen a lathe...? worked with one...? Well, basically, to get a good look at your cut, it's the BACK of your head that's gonna be most vulnerable SO a pony-tail or bun is equally susceptible to getting snatched.
I used to wake up at 2AM during semester's end, face down in a pool of saliva on a Steenbeck editing table...fetch some coffee then go back to work for a few more hours...
2 AM...metal lathe...yawn...METAL LATHE...ay yi yi...
RIP, sweet soul...
jasonglchu 1 year, 1 month ago
"such a suspiciously timed (2am?)... accident"
For a college student in the last few weeks of the semester? Not suspicious in the slightest - sorry.
encyclopediadramatica 1 year, 1 month ago
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particulate 1 year, 1 month ago
The other suspicious aspect of her death is that every news outlet is covering the story as if someone absolutely knows for sure that this was an accident and not foul play. Look at this news story, for example. It says that her death was due to an accident. That's not proven yet, is it? I think it is inappropriate to imply something is fact when it has not yet been proven. That's akin to propaganda. Think about all the people who will read news stories about Michele Dufault and believe, without question, the asserted, yet unproven and possibly incorrect, story of her late night, end of the semester tragic mistake and believe that an otherwise uncommonly intelligent person succumbed to a common lapse in her self preservation instinct driven good judgement. My point is that it may seem plausible as a story, but it is even more plausible to a reader when it sounds like some authority knows for sure already.
Eugene1251 1 year, 1 month ago
Just a passer-by who wanted to offer my heartfelt sympathy to Michele's family, friends, and the whole University community for the loss of so promising a young woman. No one can hear her story and not sense the eviscerating despair that family and friends now feel, nor not wish to somehow alleviate it, were it only possible.
justplainsucks 1 year, 1 month ago
I married into Michele's extended family. I only had the chance to meet her a couple of times, but came away amazed at what a bright, sweet, wonderful young woman she was. I cannot come to terms with this terrible accident or the fact that I'll never get the chance to see her again.
Thanks to all of those who send their thoughts and prayers. To those of you who choose to troll or make this into a debate on safety procedures or university policies - I respect your right to say what you want, but consider it in extremely poor taste and timing. Please remember behind every story like this are real people mourning the loss of their friend and family member.
Before you post your detailed analysis of who's to blame or what was done wrong, imagine for a moment this article was about your daughter/sister/friend and how you would feel reading such comments while trying to wrap your head around this tragedy. There will be time for the armchair quarterbacking - but not now, please.
RIP Michele - you will be terribly missed by the world. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family in this terrible time.
PatrioticAmerican 1 year, 1 month ago
From the article, she is an undergrad. Yale is at fault for letting her work in any lab or machine shop unsupervised.
That said, I work in a college lab. Grad students have to undergo many hours of safety training. However, you would not believe the frequency with which safety precautions are ignored - safety goggles not being used, chemicals used outside the fume hood, people hovering immediately over a cut-off machine without goggles, etc.
I would never approach a machine with moving parts with my hair loose. But many people do it every day. Without a safety officer going around and correcting people all day long, these accidents will continue to happen.
PatrioticAmerican 1 year, 1 month ago
To johnnybe who posted this above: "you and the rest are assuming that her hair was down and not pulled back AND that would unarguably make this graduating senior in the sciences at an Ivy a complete idiot - very doubtful."
You're kidding, right?
(A) Even grad students at MIT have lab accidents due to stupidity. (B) Besides, just look at who is in the White House.
MrJeanie 1 year, 1 month ago
As a lab manager for Architecture and Planning at CU Boulder, this type of event represents my very worst nightmare. Heartfelt condolences to friends and family of this young woman.
My lab has never permitted "after hours" access to anyone, including faculty. Staff must be present while work is being conducted by any person authorized to be there, and no one, including me, may work alone. We have never had an accident during my 10 years of service to the college.
We operate in this fashion because we believe it protects what is most important ...our students. Michele's death is a tragic loss, even to those of us who did not know her.
YeahImaMom 1 year, 1 month ago
This is beautiful: "May your light envelop the world, Michele." Thank you andy, for your one-liner comment that transcends everything negative that is being posted.
tolbertm 1 year, 1 month ago
Being a machinist for nearly 14 years I know the dangers of operating machinery very well. Accidents happen on an everyday bases even with the precautionary measures taken. Over the past 2 years I have worked as metal shop technician for a university and have worked closely with students. During my time here I have found that shop safety courses for undergrads and grad students alike are very important for the well being of the students that work in the shops but the watchful eye of an experianced metal shop tech is ultimately the best line of precaution. I think what bothered me the most when reading the article is when it stated that Miss Dufault was found by other students. Why was she working in the machine shop without a qualified person in there with her. Safety starts with supervision in the work area and the shop staff should have been there to stress the points of safety. When there are no shop staff working the shop should be closed to everyone. A safety course is great for basic safety tips but it does not give someone the experience to run that type of machinery safely. My thought and prayers are with the Dufault family and the Yale.
pikadot 1 year, 1 month ago
Undergraduates are not children. Yale has hundreds of labs, and the prospect of placing a "supervisor" in every one is laughable. First, because it's not even possible, and even the prospect of all of the additional training, security clearances and monetary requirements is dizzying. Second, because the people working in these labs either are, or are on their way to being, the world experts in their particular subdiscipline. These are not only intelligent, conscious, mature adult scientists. They're the ones who design the labs, design the experiments, and design the materials they use in them. They know more than anyone what is going on there.
All of these calls for Yale to take responsibility are unfounded. Students need to be able to work at all hours on their material, or they'll just manufacture less safe conditions alone elsewhere so that they can keep up. I can speak to that from experience. People need to recognize that the facts in this case have not been released, and stop thundering about personal responsibility, institutional culpability and other such nonsense. The knee-jerk reactions being promoted here (e.g. closing labs and shops at night) would only create a less safe work environment. If you were a student here, that would be more apparent to you.
yale11PC 1 year, 1 month ago
@johnnybe I can't believe you are suggesting that a tox screen should be run. Anyone who knew Michele would tell you that she was one of the most responsible, diligent and careful people they had ever met. Shame on you. The world has lost a wonderful person and promising scientist. That's all that matters. My thoughts and prayers are with her Family and everyone whose lifes have been touched by Michele.
connman250 1 year, 1 month ago
AGAIN, JOHNNYBE, YOU ARE WRONG,WRONG WRONG!!!!! johnnybe has his own set of problems, which I won't go into here, but to say that it would not matter if she had her hair in a bun or not makes no sense at all. And because you work downstairs in your workshop alone, who really cares what you do in your workshop or bedroom for that matter. When you are talking about a machine shop at a university, where many people work, safety rules have to be practiced. From the way johnnybe talks, he could care less about safety, as did Yale.
I have worked in a machine shop environment for 44 years and have seen it all, from my own injuries to others, before there was ever an OSHA. It seems Yale's influence protected them from the government that requires all of us to be complient to the law. I hope the OSHA investigation will be open to the public. Hopefully, this investigation will result in new laws that will save other lives.
Maybe johnnybe should stop watching "Jackass"!!!!
Sharon 1 year, 1 month ago
I was very touched by the passion exhibited by this young woman. She lived fully. I shared the story with my urban 7th grade class today as I encouraged them to follow her example of hard work and determination. Thank you Michelle.
Peace to her family.
yalemom2012 1 year, 1 month ago
When my daughter told me about Michelle, we cried--for her parents' loss, her family's loss, and the world's loss. She obviously spent her life well and was well-loved. I am sorry that the world cannot share her anymore, and I just hope and pray that her family and friends can be sustained by remembering the good times that they shared.
adriangal222 1 year, 1 month ago
Dear Family of Michelle, I wish I could offer something to console you, I can only offer you my prayers for your daughter and for you. Please try to take some comfort in the knowledge that your treasure of a daughter is with God in Heaven now and that you will be with her again. Along with everyone my heart feels broken for you. I will continue to pray for you. With much love Cheryl Pagliarella
divlik 1 year, 1 month ago
Redundancy is central, many independent precautions if some fail. Her hair should have been bound in a snood or braided. That level of protection rests in her hands. But the tale does not stop there. Even so commonplace a tool as a power lawn mower is equipped with a "deadman's switch". It will cut off the engine when the operator's hands disengage, as they will if he trips on a rock. Surely, similar devices have been fashioned and tested for equipment as potentially lethal as a high-powered lathe, perhaps a mat that will halt the machine if the operator's feet leave the mat. Yale ought to reexamine its purchase protocols.
mark838 1 year, 1 month ago
First I wish to convey my heartfelt prayers to Michele's family and loved-ones. I manage a machine shop at a major university in south Florida and have 35 years experience in the precision machining trades. I am absolutely shocked and appalled at the apparent lack of understanding of industrial safety on the part of Yale University’s part. To acquire my state journeyperson’s (P.C.) certificate I first had to attend 1250hrs. of formal classroom training in addition to 8000hrs. of actual hands on machine time. For the administration in charge of the shop in which this tragedy occurred to believe it is safe for someone with 1 semester of machine training to be allowed access to the shop, especially alone, is incomprehensible. Even if there were several students there, I believe it is still potentially unsafe without an actual professional machinist present AT ALL TIMES. I am quite sure the machine shop safety policies at Yale will undergo a total rewrite by the time OSHA’s investigation is concluded. These comments are strictly my own and are in no way intended to represent those of my employers’
LouieLouie 1 year, 1 month ago
It's impossible to fathom the staggering depth of Michele's family and friend's grief. This is an immense tragedy in so many ways. The loss so unfathomable for her family, for the Yale community and for society as a whole. There is no reason...there is no blame. In just a matter of a few short minutes, the lives of so many are shattered and irrevocably altered. We are all left with the question, "Why"? This cannot be answered in this life with any form of reason, any trite religious platitude, any scientist's theories; we can only hope there is a life after this where we may find the answer and also find peace.
Madas 1 year, 1 month ago
Mark,
Not that all that machine time didn't help you with safety, but you very well know most of that training was for precision and technique not safety.
connman250 1 year, 1 month ago
A basic machine course will cover safety, but will not emphasize it. I am positive that when basic machining is thought, basic safety requirements are mentioned such as eye protection and not having long hair exposed, however there must be on-going safety rules and classes periodically. Maybe less then five percent of any machining class is devoted to safety. Being in a machine shop environment for many years, OSHA handed out stiff fines for any violations of safety rules, such as not wearing safety glasses or other PPE (personnel protective equiptment). Many machines had specific PPE that one had to wear before operating. Eye and hair protection should be available, as well as warning signs, before anyone enters a machining area.
2012yalie 1 year, 1 month ago
Dear Michelle, your passing was so tragic but you will be remembered always. Thank you for touching a community of Yalies and everyone that has crossed your path. We were truly, truly lucky to have you.
mark838 1 year, 1 month ago
Set aside for a moment experience or lack of it, hair tied back or not. The fact is, safe operating procedure in any manufacturing environment, including machine shops of any scale, should never allow solo operators. There should be no debate that more experience makes a safer operator.
What the issue here should be is accountability. Some one needs to be held accountable for making the decision to allow student access to this machine shop on a 24/7 unattended basis. The reason this is so crucial is if that situation doesn’t change, then there is nothing to prevent something terribly tragic from happening again. I have worked for companies that schedule 12 hrs shift and work studies have proven that productivity drops and injuries rise dramatically after 8 hours. If I’m not mistaken, commercial truck drivers are limited to 8 hour runs for this very reason. If, for some strange reason, this shop really needs to remain open 24/7, then there needs to be a supervisor there at all times. Rest assured accidents will still occur, but the risk of them being fatal will be nil.
To louielouie- trite religious platitudes? I pray the Lord gives comfort to Micheles’ family and loved-ones and I pray that more stringent safety policies help to prevent something like this from happening again so that Michele’s untimely passing isn’t in vain. I can see no reason why that should bother you.
erin123 1 year, 1 month ago
I am hesitant to post the following as I agree this should be a forum for remembering a beloved young woman and promising student whose life was cut short... but the incorrect and deleterious comments posted by @pikadot warrant response. @pikadot - No, undergraduates are not children. However, your argument is completely unfounded. Every lab doesn't require supervision... I have worked in genetics labs, biochemistry labs, and vascular surgery labs, and none of the equipment reagents, microbes, chemicals, etc, that I've used has ever posed such a risk to my safety. Even so - if every lab did require supervision - it is the University's responsibility to maintain a safe workplace. There should have been supervision.
To imply that Yale students cannot complete their requirements without unfettered access to equipment is absurd. To posit that students need work all hours on their projects is irresponsible. They are no doubt under pressure to complete said work in a timeframe dictated by their academic calendars, but really - what is at stake if they fail? I have no doubt it feels that way - I recall being an undergraduate science major whose life felt hinged upon my success academically. But at the end of the day? What is at stake? Surely life will go on.
To insinuate that more stringent regulations will make work situations unsafe, that students/researchers/etc will go outside the lab to find alternatives is baseless. Institutional culpability is paramount. There is no doubt that Yale students, including this bright young woman, are "intelligent, conscious, mature" - indeed these are our nation's brightest - but that alone does not relieve these institutions from protecting their safety. OSHA exists for a reason - it not only protects undergraduate researchers but experts - even Nobelists - alike. Expert or not - checks and balances are necessary for anyone using equipment or substances capable of harm. To imply otherwise is senseless.
We are all Monday morning quarterbacks who don't have all the facts - but the mere idea that anyone would be allowed to have access to this machinery without even a lab partner to offset the risk is appalling. The issue here should not be whether this young woman's actions led to this tragic event, but rather that the framework within which she was allowed to work was horrifyingly substandard. Yale needs to do its due diligence.
My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to this family. Michele sounds like a woman I'd like to know - and a role model for other young women considering science as a vocation. Michele, I'm so sorry you weren't able to see your life's dreams through. May you rest in peace, and inspire those who knew you (and those who didn't) to carry on your legacy.
Madas 1 year, 1 month ago
@erin123
The argument is not that students need unfettered access. But, with the current restrictions, machining time is now available only from 8AM to 4 ~ 4:30 PM Monday - Friday. For most people, that's class time, meaning that nothing gets done. Machining time at 2AM? Probably not necessary, but sometimes circumstances required it. Of course work should never have been done alone, but it wasn't suppose to be. The only horrifyingly substandard aspect of the framework was affording students personal choice. I for one, value that very highly. I'd rather be allowed to make my own potentially dangerous choices than have OSHA and the pencil-pushers controlling my life without regard to its particular circumstances Sometimes I wake up late from a late night on a paper. I'm well-rested and working at 1 AM with friends. A problem? Maybe. Because I'm tired? No.
Also, the machines are not that dangerous. Sure they can be dangerous, but keep it in perspective man. People die everyday in car crashes. Hell, Yalies have been near rendered near death just by walking across the street in New Haven traffic. Yale has had students in shops for decades without so much as a lost finger. Of course this is a terrible tragedy, but it is a far less pressing concern than other dangers on campus (alcohol, to which Yale purposefully turns a blind eye, being another one).
connman250 1 year, 1 month ago
It is laughable to hear some comments in here, when people are amazed that a Yalie can make a mistake. like Yalies are better then all those numbskulls out there. Well, I am sure there are Yale professors out there who don't fasten their seat belts, when in their car, just as the rest of us may not.
Yale is going to have to face up to their lackness in this area. I applaud the YDN for their coverage of this tragic story and I am sure they will do justice to all the facts in the comming Yale and OSHA investigations.
pikadot 1 year, 1 month ago
@Erin123, We're not all "monday morning quarterbacks" as you call it. Some of us work here. I can speak first hand to what you have referred to as absurd - students feel a driving, competitive need to accomplish things by a certain time. They're overcommitted and a lot is expected of them. Ask any student here if they could accomplish what they need to do within banking hours and even the nicest among them would laugh in your face. You might ask yourself if most of us would spend nights and weekends in these labs because we have a perverse sense of "fun". Wake up. I have seen students manufacture makeshift labs on roofs and in dorm rooms to try to accomplish their means, and take dangerous risks to be able to take their work home with them. To pretend this doesn't happen is the height of foolishness. I don't bring it up as some kind of personal fantasy. And I've seen people get hurt.
I don't disagree that security could be better. I never said it couldn't, or shouldn't, be so. 70+ cameras and restricted access couldn't save Annie, but a security walk-through could have. I've been alone in these labs at night and had to call security multiple times. The response was gravely disappointing. They weren't familiar with the name of the building I was in, didn't send anyone to investigate and suggested that the people running through the hallways at 3AM on a Sunday were "probably supposed to be there". When I attended a smaller liberal arts institution we only had a couple of security guards for the entire campus but they were walking through every building all night long. I have never even seen a security guard inside the buildings I work in. Not once. Ever.
That said, if you walk through these labs, most of them have their own dangers. And my statement about night-shifting students is very true. If you have students who are used to working at night and force them to get up in the middle of the day to use machines, what you're going to have are some very groggy, less than attentive people.
Ask your local college students.
connman250 1 year, 1 month ago
Also, the machines are not that dangerous. Sure they can be dangerous, but keep it in perspective man. People die everyday in car crashes. Hell, Yalies have been near rendered near death just by walking across the street in New Haven traffic. Yale has had students in shops for decades without so much as a lost finger. Of course this is a terrible tragedy, but it is a far less pressing concern than other dangers on campus (alcohol, to which Yale purposefully turns a blind eye, being another one).
Posted by Madas on April 18, 2011 at 1:43 a.m.
The above post really bothers the bejesus out of me. Is it possible that Yale and this person shared the same philosophy. I hope the heck not! Can you imagine what a parent is thinking, who is about to send his kid off to Yale, next fall? Does this college take all the precautions, to make things safe for my kid?
I can tell you right now that every college and technical school in the country are reviewing their safety procedures. And as I read many of the posts in here, many people from other universities are appalled at what happened at Yale.
Madas 1 year, 1 month ago
Is it possible I believe we should keep things in perspective? Oh, the horror. You're right of course. Let's just keep everyone in padded rooms and attach cameras to their heads to keep them "safe." Some things are dangerous. You need to keep that in perspective. Sure, you can have all the monitors you want, but stuff (happy YDN?) happens. If, God forbid, the accident happened during supervise lab time (which it very well could have and with the speed lathes operate at, likely no one could have done anything anyway), you'd only be ranting about the incompetent monitors. Putting more monitors in the lab is prudent, but get real and realize it won't make things "safe" to your standards. This wasn't a lack of knowledge or oversight. It was a freak accident.
If you want to eliminate all chances of such a thing ever happening again, just bring up the machine shop and hand out coloring books. If you eliminate the University space or curtail the hours, you are only forcing students to find other avenues to accomplish the same work. I.E. Yale covers its liability while students are inconvenienced AND working in more dangerous conditions. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Student access was created just so that students had a safer, better environment for their projects, and the Chemistry Department should be commended for taking the initiative to provide workspace for students. If it were up to other departments like Engineering, students would never get anything done at all. They only provide shop access when students are in class. Consequently, their students are always up in Chemistry.
connman250 1 year, 1 month ago
Madas, Getting your hair caught in a lathe is no freak accident. It is ignoring every machining safety rule in the book. It is a shame that a young woman had to die because of a cavalier attitude towards safety, on the part of Yale. And what is a little inconvience if every student gets a scheduled time in the machine shop, when it compares to everyones safety, The only thing you did in life was go to schools where teachers told you how smart you were, so you never were in the real world. I wouldn't let you get within 500 feet from a machine shop, with your attitude. People like you will be the first one to break rules and then blame the school when something happens.
Your freedom to continue being an idiot will be curtailed, as things will change at Yale, as they should. If you cannot abide by rules, then maybe a coloring book and crayons would be an ideal thing for you. Maybe you were just not cut out for Yale, anyways.
LouieLouie 1 year, 1 month ago
To mark838, trite platitudes of any kind; religious or otherwise; are what bother me the most. They are just cliches to utter at the appropriate time for an appropriate joyful or sad event. Obviously I am not a person who has a strong faith although my 16 years of formal schooling was at private Catholic institutions (that could be the reason). Some years ago, I lost my only daughter at 3 years old and a neighbor came to the house and said, "You are so lucky, you now have an angel in heaven". Enough said. You are fortunate to have a strong faith that is part of your life.
roganjosh 1 year ago
@preventabletragedy, you say "she was found by other students sitting in a chair at the lathe with her hair caught". I'm curious about where you found the detail about Michele sitting. I know the Sterling shop and can't imagine sitting down at those particular lathes. It's not just a rule about sitting not being safe, it's that it makes it harder to work by constraining mobility and blocking your view of the work because, if you're on a chair, you'd have to be looking in from the side where the cutting tool is, and where the shaved chips sometimes fly out. Michele's death would be sad enough without all this; with it, it's even sadder.
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