ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Jeff's comment about hot coffee got me to thinking about an industrial
safety procedure I was recently involved with. These days, it is common
to refer to a "reasonable man or woman" standard for value-based
judgements. Would a reasonable man or woman understand the hazards of an
activity? The policy went on to give a couple of examples of where a
behavior met the standard, and where it did not. Coffee pots and knives
were an example where a reasonable man or woman were expected to
understand the dangers in a science-based corporate environment.

Granted, since science educators are working with more exotic materials
than is usual. How would a science museum evaluate whether an exhibit or
demonstration met such a standard? How do you figure in children? Aren't
children by definition unreasonable, and a parent's role to help them
learn what is reasonable and unreasonable?

Society seems to have adopted some strange definitions of reasonable
activities. How many of us run to catch an elevator and push the
elevator call button to stop the doors? I don't, I just reach in and
activate the safety bar in the doorway. I rely on a safety mechanism
instead of using the appropriately safe behavior! When I think about it,
that is a very bad idea...

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of jeff courtman
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Liability - Topic for astc 2007?


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

the balloon thing got me thinking:
 
liability is a bugaboo for science centers and the like; we encourage
the sort of activity (i hope) that leads to more excited play by
children. yet, surprisingly, if i understand correctly, our liability
carriers don't charge us an arm and a leg for coverage.  but accidents
do happen and if you're in the field long enough you will likely witness
either a claim or a lawsuit or some other unpleasantness (or maybe i'm
unlucky).
 
I would love to hear from experts in the field about the questions of
liability, and how we might focus our institutional thinking without
becoming paranoid to the point of silliness (Warning:  your morning
coffee may be extremely hot.  Do not spill it on your legs.  Do not pour
on your pets or your coworkers.)
 
If there's interest from others, i'll see what i can do....
 
Jeff Courtman
Exhibits & Special Projects Coordinator
251.208.6851
Exploreum Science Center
www.exploreum.net <http://www.exploreum.net/> 
 

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L
list, send the message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]