
During the national Lab Safety Week effort, which takes place from February 10–13, Penn State’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team will organize both virtual and in-person events for the Penn State research community. This year, “Incident, Accident, and Emergency Response” is the theme for Lab Safety Week.
The goal of Lab Safety Week, a nationwide initiative run by the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA), is to raise awareness of lab health and safety initiatives on college campuses.
“I am excited to support this important safety initiative to promote safety in our academic and research laboratories, shops, and maker spaces,” said James Crandall, senior director of Penn State EHS and the current CSHEMA president.
Penn State researchers from any college, department,t or campus are invited to attend the following events. Reservations are not required.
- Monday, Feb. 10: Lab Safety Week Virtual Kickoff, 10:30 a.m. — Virtual presentations from EHS staff regarding spills and lab emergencies. Guest speaker Sean Kaufman will present “Safer Behaviors.”
- Tuesday, Feb. 11: Virtual Lunch and Learn, 12 p.m. — Virtual presentations from EHS staff regarding spills and lab emergencies. Guest speaker Daniel Coons, special agent, will present “Laboratory Security and Insider Threat.”
- Wednesday, Feb. 12: Incident and Spill Response Safety Demonstrations and Resources, Huck Life Sciences 3rd Floor Bridge, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m — An opportunity for researchers and lab members to learn about spill response equipment and techniques, provide in-person feedback, and ask EHS staff questions on a range of topics, including chemical and biological spill response approaches, LionSafe, risk assessments, inspection processes, and more.
- Thursday, Feb. 13: EHS Open House at Steam Services Building, Room 212 A&B, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — EHS welcomes the research community to visit its new onsite training lab and participate in interactive games and activities focused on incidental and spill response. Vendors including VWR, Grainger, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Ace Glass Incorporated, New Pig, and Cintas will be on site.
Additionally, at several science buildings throughout the Commonwealth Campuses, EHS personnel will present lab safety highlights throughout the week. To find out more about services and lab safety awareness, researchers and lab members are welcome to visit and speak with EHS staff.