Many of Grinnell's “Safe” Spaces Actually Quite Dangerous
An example of the "Safe Space" advertisements, which do not reflect workplace hazards.
STONEWALL RESOURCE CENTER – Grinnell's safe spaces are supposedly places where students can feel comfortable being themselves, but according to a new report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the spaces may be “quite dangerous indeed.”
“What passes for OSHA compliance in the declaration of these so-called 'safe spaces' is frankly abominable,” said OSHA representative Don Poncha, co-author of the report. “Very little seems to be required before a safe is announced to be 'safe.' There's no checks for unguarded moving machinery, no permissible exposure measurements, no requirements to wear protective gear, and a total lack of respect for the buddy system.”
“Apparently all you need to do is put up a paper sign, announcing your decision about the space's safety,” Poncha added.
OSHA's stance is not entirely negative, however. In a minority report submitted alongside the official assessment, they state that, “Grinnell College has been very good at indicating which spaces are intended to be safe, with a variety of well-placed signage. The complete lack of regulation, however, means that these signs are poor guarantees of the space's actual safety.”
Many Grinnellians were aghast to discover the lack of care that advocates of these so-called “safe spaces” took in ascertaining the safety of the space before putting up a sign. Kate Afentulis, '14, was, “shocked and appalled by how [we] don't even check if a space is safe before putting up a sign. I mean, it could have like a bear in the corner or something. How would we know?”
Ricardo Fox, '12, was similarly upset by the OSHA report. “We put such a trust in posted signs. To realize that they aren't backed up by any kind of real regulations…it's really a betrayal.”
Key among the OSHA complaints were the presence of toxic substances such as alcohol (a mere 480 grams of which can be fatal in the average adult human), as well as the placement of the safe spaces. Said the report, “Signs announcing a 'safe space' are placed in common areas without consulting the inhabitants of the space, unilaterally. Furthermore, no attempt is made to restrict access to these spaces to authorized and trained personnel.”
Organizers of Grinnell's safe spaces, such as Michael Javril, '11, were critical of OSHA's report. “This is ridiculous. That's…that's not what safe space means. The signs are intended to inform students that sexist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, or otherwise insensitive statements are not welcome here, and will not be tolerated.”
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