USU's Science Unwrapped Explores the 'Science of Safety' Friday, Feb. 9

What is industrial hygiene? According to OSHA, it is the “science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of those environmental factors arising in or from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community.”

In short, industrial hygienists are scientists and engineers who work to keep us safe from such things as chemical exposures, physical hazards, radiation, biological and ergonomic stressors in the workplace.

“Most of us spend a sizable percentage of our lives in the workplace,” says Utah State University industrial hygienist Carl Farley, senior lecturer and academic adviser in the USU Department of Biology’s Public Health program. “Therefore, it’s important we understand the science behind workplace hazards and stressors that can impact our health and well-being.”

Farley will present “Waves, Force, Torque: The Science of Safety” at USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program at 7 p.m Feb. 9 in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center.

Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

“Learning about basic scientific principles can protect us from common workplace hazards, as well as hazards at home or school,” Farley says. “We’re going to learn how waves, force and torque apply to the physics of noise and ergonomics.”

USU’s industrial hygiene program is one of only four undergraduate IH programs in the nation that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, will follow Farley’s presentation. The talk will also be recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website within a week of the in-person event.

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

Farley’s talk is the fifth presentation in Science Unwrapped’s 2023-24 “Building on Basics” series, which explores varied scientific principles, with examples and illustrations from diverse disciplines.

“This year’s approach is to examine basic scientific principles, and how they fit into varied scientific disciplines,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Science and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “We have a wonderful group of scientists lined up to speak at this year’s events, and it will be fun to hear their different perspectives.”

Established in 2009, Science Unwrapped is hosted by USU’s College of Science.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the Science Unwrapped at USU Facebook page.