University of Michigan is pioneering new methods to bolster safety culture in research and creative practice spaces. The Research and Academic Safety Committee has invited staff and researchers to share innovative safety practices that seamlessly integrate into their daily routines. The goal is to simplify maintaining safe environments while ensuring compliance with safety standards across labs, studios, and workshops.
The committee selected three standout ideas from numerous submissions. These concepts aim to enhance safety adherence and alleviate the burden on researchers.
Denislav Nikolov’s Safety Plan Initiative
Denislav Nikolov, a mechanical engineering lecturer, prompts students in his senior capstone course to consider safety proactively. He designed a Google Form accessible via Canvas, requiring students to create a safety plan alongside their project design and testing processes.
Jennie Lovett’s Lab Door Stickers
Jennie Lovett, a lead research lab specialist at the Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health, introduced door stickers. These stickers remind researchers to remove gloves before touching doorknobs, promoting hygiene and safety.
Pavlina Zafirovska’s Focused Safety Meetings
Pavlina Zafirovska, a histology technician in Michigan Medicine’s Lab Animal Medicine Unit, has initiated monthly meetings centered on a single safety topic. These focused sessions help maintain attention and effectiveness. Additionally, she offers unit incentives for achieving safety milestones.
These initiatives highlight how simple strategies can effectively enhance safety compliance. Each winner received $250 to further support their research activities.
Danielle Sheen, assistant vice president for Environment, Health & Safety, emphasized, “Maintaining and strengthening a strong culture of safety and collaboration is key to producing impactful research.” The Research and Academic Safety Committee, led by various university offices, aims to foster a robust safety culture on campus.
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