Led by:
Prof. Mahesh K. Mahanthappa
Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN
2020 Laboratory Safety Institute Graduate Research Faculty Safety Award Winner
Resources Dr. Mahantappa highlighted in his talk are are:
- 2013 Student Involvement in Improving the Culture of Safety in Academic Laboratories: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed400305e
- 2020 The Joint Safety Team at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities: A Model for Student-Led Safety: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00153?casa_token=G5JkBEBA1m8AAAAA:EigG6IHRuj-kBp7ddqiDR11Nmx7-YvFam3cqDbwV7fdB54zjxJm6cogSkjL2QMOUxor3T3CWCJuezIU
- 2020 Learning Experience Reports Improve Academic Research Safety: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00133
- 2019 Prof. Mahesh Mahanthappa Talks about Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkTUZMHl4_8
- 2011 “Experimenting with Danger” produced by the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALBWxGik64A
Comments
2 responses to “Making Safety Second Nature in an Academic Lab: Safety Journal Club Discussion, OCT 20, 2020”
I had to smile when I read the disclaimer on the title graphic: “The contents of this presentation represent opinions and interpretations of the speaker and do not reflect those of his employers past and present.”
Ah, but if only these particular opinions and interpretations DID reflect those of our institutions!! The academic research world would be a safer place for all 🙂
Thank you, Professor Mahanthappa for your leadership!
Indeed, I agree with you, Kimi! I tread lightly outside of my working circles with my take on safety as some academics are simply not willing to listen and to take safety training/education seriously.
At the graduate research safety level, we (collectively) may be able to better prioritize safety if it is couched in terms of an essential form of professional development. That idea sharply contrasts what I commonly see as the approach to safety: it is a necessary regulatory “evil” that allows academics to do science. So, perhaps, stimulating action on safety may be easier if we consider rebranding it in a positive manner?