Creating a culture of safety

Number of research labs: 24.
Number of new researchers per year: 10.
20 high pressure reactors: $25,000/each.
Peer-led lab safety: priceless.

Safety is a top priority at CEBC.  But with 24 shared-use labs and frequent student turnover, ensuring safe lab practices at all times can be a challenge.

Fortunately, members of CEBC’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) have shared a number of proven ideas that have been incorporated into CEBC’s safety program.

“The key is to develop a culture of safety, where everyone looks out for each other,” noted Chris Lyon, administrative director at CEBC.  A Lab Safety Committee, made up of staff, postdocs and students, is working toward this goal.

As suggested by IAB members, a variety of efforts—such as peer-to-peer inspections and near-miss reporting—have been implemented to complement the efforts of KU’s Environmental Health and Safety Office.  During their evaluations of CEBC research, IAB members also offer project-specific safety recommendations, based on extensive experience at their companies.  Such information is invaluable when it comes to designing safer experiments and technologies.

--By Claudia Bode