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Student Killed in Lathe Accident

By Rain Noe - April 18, 2011

in design.edu

We're saddened to report that last week a Yale student was killed when her hair became caught in the lathe she was working on. Michele Dufault was an astronomy and physics major due to graduate in just a few weeks, and she was working on a project late at night in a school machine shop when the horrific accident occurred.

As industrial design students we're often around dangerous machinery. The realities of scheduling might find us pulling all-nighters--and then working with blowtorches or tablesaws, and the lack of sleep can make us forget basic safety like tying one's hair back. We hope machinery-using students will learn from Dufault's terrible accident and double-check their safety procedures prior to using machinery.

Our sincerest condolences go out to Dufault's family.

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LL

13 years ago

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Also be very carefull with scarfs. With hair sometimes it is possible to cut, but a scarf stuck in a machine strangles someone in just under a minute.
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Ken Keiter

13 years ago

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I find myself so desensitized to death and violence these days -- I'm pretty sure it's a byproduct of my consumption of media -- but this really hit home. There have been many times when I've worked too late on a project and slipped, injuring myself.

Tragic accidents like these can happen at any time.. Please be safe when bringing your creations to life. My heart goes out to her family -- I'm sure she will be missed. Rest in peace.
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Matt

13 years ago

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I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy.
My deepest condolences go out to Michele's family and friends.

God Bless You.
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