USU VP Takes Lead on National University Laboratory Research Safety
Mark McLellan, USU's vice-president for research and dean of the school of graduate studies, served as co-chairman for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Task Force on Laboratory Safety.
Utah State University played a key leadership role in a nationwide project to improve safety in laboratories at universities. The task force recently released its final report, “Guide to Implementing a Safety Culture in Our Universities,” as well as a companion website intended to make the guide more accessible to universities across the nation.
Mark McLellan, USU’s vice-president for research and dean of the school of graduate studies, served as co-chairman for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Task Force on Laboratory Safety.
McLellan said APLU formed the task force following significant safety lapses at universities that resulted in serious incidents, including the death of a laboratory research assistant and a lab explosion that severely injured a graduate student. The task force was created to provide a roadmap for university-wide efforts to renew and strengthen a culture of research safety. It outlines best practices and other information to improve safety in research settings.
“The measures are a call to action urging all universities to renew their commitment to research safety,” he said.
Designed for university presidents and chancellors who have pledged to commit their university to a renewed culture of research safety, the guide and website include 20 recommendations, each with an analysis of the alignment of the recommendation with other foundational reports, reading lists, tools, strategies, illustrative examples and/or best practices drawn from a community of stakeholders. These resources were selected to help an appointed campus team navigate the process of strengthening their culture of safety.
McLellan said the new guidelines are necessary and important to create a safe research environment on any campus.
“The key here is that this task force report will cause change to the campus culture that will inherently create a safer teaching, research and employment environment,” said McLellan. “And if done well on the campus level, these changes will be embraced broadly across our faculty, staff and students.”
The report notes that instituting a strengthened culture of research safety starts with the vocal commitment and leadership of a university president; relies on faculty, students and staff engaged in the discovery enterprise to adopt safer practices; and requires a campus-wide willingness to implement policies and practices that support a culture of safety.
USU President Stan Albrecht said he agrees with the group’s findings and supports its call for a renewed commitment to safety. In addition, he praised McLellan for his leadership role in championing this important cause.
“Many faculty at research institutions have first-hand stories of accidents or near accidents, so it is critical to our core research mission that we embrace a culture of safety,” Albrecht said. “This is foundational to our educational mission, and this report defines specific ways to significantly improve safety at our institutions.”
Recent and ongoing efforts by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board, the American Chemical Society and the National Academies reflect both concern and focus on the absence of a lab safety culture in universities and colleges. The necessity for institutions to keep their faculty, staff, students and visitors safe during teaching and research activities is critical for their growth, success and long-term sustainability.
Maura Hagan, dean of the USU College of Science, said stronger laboratory safety measures are better for students and faculty alike.
“The heighted promotion of a culture of safety serves to protect the health and well being of our most precious resource: our faculty, students and staff,” said Hagan. “Excellent science is safe science. Safety training is fundamental to state-of-the-art research and an essential element of our students’ professional development.”
The task force, which APLU created in coordination with the Association of American Universities (AAU), American Chemical Society (ACS), and Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), is comprised of senior research officers, environmental and health safety experts and representatives from industry and national labs. In writing the guide, the task force actively reached out across the university and science communities to hear perspectives on strengthening the laboratory safety culture from over 20 organizations and 25 institutions.
For more information on APLU, visit its website (aplu.org).
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With a membership of 235 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations, APLU’s agenda is built on three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research and expanding engagement. Annually, APLU member campuses enroll 4.7 million undergraduates and 1.2 million graduate students, award 1.2 million degrees, employ 1.4 million faculty and staff and conduct $42.7 billion in university-based research.
Contact: Mark McLellan, mark.mclellan@usu.edu, 435-797-1180
Writer: Paige Pagnucco, paige.pagnucco@usu.edu, 435-797-1429
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