Our Laboratory Safety Team works with Laboratory PIs and supervisors to assist them in maintaining their laboratory areas in a manner that controls hazards and minimizes risk. Conducting Laboratory Audits, maintaining a Campus Chemical Inventory, posting Laboratory Door Signs and performing Lab Accident/Incident Investigations serve as key elements of UTK’s policy to ensure that a safe and healthy working environment is provided for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Core Institutional Values Foundational to a Culture of Safety*
1. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Each
institution should commit to providing a
campus environment that supports the
health and safety practices of its community
(faculty, students, staff, and visitors) and
empowers the community to be responsible
for the safety of others. A safe campus
environment is a right of employment for
all categories of employees. A safe campus
learning environment is a right of all involved
in education and research.
2. Good science is safe science. Safety is a
critical component of scholarly excellence
and responsible conduct of research.
3. Safety training and safety education
are essential elements of research and
education. They instill a culture of safety
in the next generation of researchers and
future faculty, and they are important for
our students’ career development and
employability.
4. An improved culture of safety is necessary
to truly reduce risk throughout the academic
enterprise.
5. It is best to recognize that diverse methods
and flexible approaches will be used by each
institution to develop a strong culture of
safety, unique to its situation.