Lab Safety Awareness Week, Feb. 9-13, aims to promote safe labs on campuses

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team will host virtual and in-person events for the University's research and academic community as part of its Lab Safety Awareness Week initiative, Feb. 9-13. This year's Lab Safety Week theme is "I Heart Lab Safety."

"As we celebrate Lab Safety Awareness Week, we shine a spotlight on the critical role safe practices play in our academic and research environments," said Diann Stedman, EHS laboratory and research safety manager. "This week provides an excellent opportunity for our campus academic and research communities to learn how to prevent, prepare for, and respond to lab emergencies, with hands-on experiences and expert-led discussions."

Lab Safety Awareness Week is a national initiative organized by the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) and aims to promote lab health and safety programs on college campuses across the country.

"As the immediate past president of CSHEMA, I am excited to see how Lab Safety Awareness Week outreach efforts have grown nationally across our peer colleges and universities," said James Crandall, EHS senior director. "I greatly appreciate the efforts our team has taken to expand lab safety outreach activities across all our Penn State campuses as well as virtual opportunities throughout the course of the week."

The Laboratory and Research Safety division of EHS, in partnership with the EHS Coordinator Team, invites Penn State researchers from all colleges, departments and campuses to attend outreach events throughout the week and throughout the month. Join EHS employees for engaging conversation and demonstrations, enjoy refreshments, and have a chance to win fun prizes as the community works together to foster a culture of safety.

Lab Safety Awareness Week Activities and Outreach at University Park:

• Monday, Feb. 9: 10 a.m.-noon - Steidle Building, 104 Atrium (Ground Floor)

• Tuesday, Feb. 10: 10 a.m.-noon - Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building (Lobby)

• Wednesday, Feb. 11: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Huck Life Sciences Building (3rd Floor Bridge)

• Thursday, Feb. 12: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Chandlee Lab (1st Floor Lobby)

• Friday, Feb. 13: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Engineering Collaborative Research and Education Building (ECoRE) (1st Floor Lobby)

Lab Safety Awareness Week Activities and Outreach at Commonwealth Campuses

Tabling events and activities will also be hosted at numerous Commonwealth Campus locations throughout February, including Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, Shenango and York. Please see the full schedule on the EHS website for campus-specific dates and venues.

At these events, community members may speak with subject matter experts, view demonstrations and learn about safety requirements, enjoy refreshments, and have a chance to win prizes.

"Participants can expect to gain valuable insights into skills that are essential for every researcher. There is a strong connection between safety and science. Optimizing safety in our laboratories protects workers, improves learning, minimizes opportunities for contamination or experimental errors, and strengthens fidelity of experimental results," said Stedman. "We invite everyone to join us for the planned engaging sessions as we work together to foster a culture of safety."

Additionally, EHS will host live webinars and daily online games and activities. For additional information on Lab Safety Awareness Week and a full list of activities, visit the EHS website.