ALS to Shed Light
On Human Evolution
By Rosanne Spector

A team of Stanford University scientists will use Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Light Source to help answer one of anthropology’s big questions: just how closely related are Neanderthals—the primates that disappeared 30,000 years ago—to modern-day humans? The scientists will create high-tech images of ancient teeth to compare Neanderthals with humans. They plan to measure the internal structures found in the tooth images—for instance, the thickness of the enamel covering—and compare them with modern human teeth. Full story.

Fitness Balls Not
For Use as Chairs

Fitness balls are inflatable balls designed for exercise or rehabilitation. Recently, some employees have considered using fitness balls in place of office chairs. Such an exercise device should not be confused with a suitable and safe ergonomic chair. Scientific data has not demonstrated their suitability for daily sitting. An employee at another DOE site recently sustained a back injury from falling while seated on a fitness ball. Safety concerns include: Getting on and off or reaching from the ball may constitute a falling hazard; upright postures can't be maintained during tasks requiring reaching or moving; users cannot navigate around the workstation; and the sitting surface doesn't provide adequate support. Contact Jeffrey Chung at x5818 for further assistance.

In FY2004 the Facilities Division launched a comprehensive seismic reevaluation of all Berkeley Lab's buildings. As a result, the seismic ratings of many buildings have changed. This does not mean that the Lab's buildings are any less safe than they were 20 years ago, but rather that they are being reevaluated with knowledge based on actual building performance in major earthquakes. As the results of this ongoing effort become available, they are posted to the Facilities Seismic Status Lookup website.

Heavy Truck Traffic
Requires Patience

From now until the end of the year, there will be numerous large trucks bringing steel to the Molecular Foundry construction site. In many places these large trucks will use the entire roadway to navigate tight turns. They will be escorted by security vehicles that will drive ahead and block the road to make sure there is enough room for the trucks in tight turns and narrow spots. Laboratory employees are requested to be patient when they see the flashing yellow lights. Typically, the traffic will be stopped for less than one minute.

Change in Laboratory
Nonsmoking Policy

Because of the recent fire caused by smoking materials, the Laboratory is proposing changes to its nonsmoking policy to better clarify where smoking is and is not allowed. This policy affects all employees, guests, contractors, and visitors. To view the proposed changes, click here. In addition to appearing in RPM §2.23(J), this policy will appear in the Health and Safety Manual (PUB 3000), §12.21. To provide comments about the proposed changes, send them in writing to Mary Bishop (MS 937R0600, [email protected]) by Jan. 5, 2005.