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Advances in Student-Led Safety at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Emily Robinson, Brady Bresnahan, Raihana Afroz, Kayla Lehtola, Casey Wouters, Brandon Hosford, Atharva S. Chikhalikar, Gretchen Burke, Jodi Pederson, and Eryck Labarca

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Why was the JST formed?

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A need for improved safety and culture of safety

Safety survey reveals lab risk

Questionnaire suggests researchers not as safe as they feel.3

Recognized as leader in student-led safety.2

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Why JST?

  • Increased safety awareness
  • Better prepared for career in industry or as a PI
  • Encourage safe chemistry practice

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1) C&EN, 2012, 90, 21–23. 2) J. Chem. Ed. 2021, 98, 158-166. 3)Nature, 2013, 493, 9–10.

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Setting the Groundwork

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Departmental Leadership

Researchers & LSOs

EHS

Lasting Changes

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Researcher-led initiative between CHEM and CEMS

supported by departmental leaders and EHS

Joint Safety Team

(JST)

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Mission Statement

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Mission Statement:

Student-led initiative to improve the safety culture in the CHEM and CEMS department at the University of Minnesota*

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Organization Structure

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  • Committees
    • Their initiative responsibilities
    • Membership
  • Administrative committee members and their roles
  • Relationships with EH&S and department admin.

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CARES: Compliance

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Analysis & Compliance Committee

Ensuring safety protocols are maintained

  • Lab walk-throughs
  • Yearly Surveys

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CARES: Awareness

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Public Relations Committee

Increasing safety visibility

  • Posters, signs, and fliers
  • Social media presences
  • Safety moments

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CARES: Resources & Education

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Education & Resources Committee

  • New LSO training
  • LSO Guidebook
  • Specific hazard training (Compressed gas, laser safety)

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CARES: Spread

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Community Connections

Connecting goals JST to the larger Minnesota community

  • local chemical industries
  • primarily undergraduate institutions
  • high schools

Recent Programs

  • Lab safety for training for high school teachers
  • PUI tours and JST discussion

ACS Chem. Health Saf. 2024, 31(4) 324–333

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JST’s 10 Curated Resources

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Individual

    • Posters and Newsletters.
    • Signage, SOP, and SOC Templates
    • Factsheets
    • LSO Roles and Responsibilities

Small Group

    • Safety Communication
    • Safety Event
    • Industry Connections

Large Group

    • Walkthroughs and Safety Surveys
    • Committee and Member Structure
    • Funding and Support Structure

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Printable Information

J. Chem. Educ. 2013, 90, 11, 1414–1417. https://doi.org/10.1021/ed400305e

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  1. Posters and Newsletters
  2. Signage, SOP, and SOC templates
  3. Factsheets

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Clarifying LSO Roles & Responsibilities

Graduate researchers are often assigned as a lab’s safety contact, sometimes without documented instructions

  • Lab Safety Officer
  • Lab Safety Contact
  • Safety Designate
  • Chemical Hygiene Officer

Accessibility

  • Easy for 1 person to email to other LSOs
  • Motivate other students to get join the cause

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Encouraging LSO Safety Communication

  • Set up an X account (Twitter) to share safety tips
  • Discussion topics for an LSO messaging group/app
  • Learning Experience Reports

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Engaging Event Volunteers

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  1. Request university staff or faculty to give safety seminars
    • Waste disposal
    • Hazard specific
      • Cryogenic
      • Lasers
      • Gas cylinders
  1. Recruit from industry for safety panels, tours, or funding

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Standardized Walkthrough &�Survey Templates

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  • Semesterly peer-to-peer walkthroughs allow LSOs to inspect each other’s labs
    • General and hazard specific rubrics
  • Safety surveys gauge safety sentiments in labs

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10 JST Resources for LSTs

Email us at jst@umn.edu Visit our website jst.umn.edu

  1. Posters and Newsletters
  2. Signage, SOP, and SOC templates
  3. Factsheets
  4. LSO Roles and Responsibilities
  5. Safety Communication Network
  1. Education Event Recruitment
  2. Industry Tour or Panel Recruitment
  3. Peer Walkthrough Rubrics & Safety Survey Templates
  4. JST Structure and Initiatives
  5. Department and Industry Funding

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Thank you

  • UMN Chemistry Department and Chemical Engineering & Material Science Department
  • PPG
  • DOW
  • Valspar
  • JST members past and present

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Industrial Support

Departmental Support