Talking safety: Why safety matters

Invited presentation on the PRES track at #ACSBoston

Talking safety: Why safety matters
by Jennifer Maclachlan, PID Analyzers, LLC

Maclachlan is the Chair of the American
Industrial Hygiene Association's Teen
Workplace Safety Task Force

Safety is a core value for many professional societies including the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Through education, training and leading by example, members of the ACS and AIHA can create what ACS President, Peter Dorhout, has coined an "ethos of safety". 40 young workers die each year, and 60,000 more are rushed to the emergency room due to workplace injuries. Educating students about workplace hazards that include but are not limited to chemical, electrical, physical (fall, trip, slip), emotional (includes verbal abuse, bullying etc.) and more using tools like the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Talking Safety curriculum and abbreviated materials known as Safety Matters, developed jointly by NIOSH and AIHA, member volunteers of AIHA and ACS can introduce these to teachers, students and legislators in their own communities. Communication about ACS resources such as the Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary School and Academic Institutions will be addressed as well as other outreach opportunities that ACS can leverage to support safety cultures in 2018 and beyond.