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Lab Safety Culture Award Winners

  Laboratory Safety, News & Updates 

In order to promote positive safety culture in UT labs, the Lab Safety Committee is continuing the Lab Safety Culture Awards Subcommittee. The theme for the second category of awards of 2025 was to submit a short narrative describing the values, attitudes, beliefs, and actions that support the overall wellbeing of your lab members Quarter 4 awards were distributed in November 2025:

1st place: Kriza Calumba – Graduate Research Assistant in Department of Food Science

2nd place: Veronica Brown – Lab Manager in ORIED

3rd place: Harleen Kaur – Graduate Research Assistant in Department of Food Science

Congratulations, winners!

New lab safety culture award categories will be announced quarterly. Submissions are open to everyone involved in research or working in a lab, shop, or maker space at UT. Announcements of new awards are sent through the Lab Safety ListServ, found on flyers around campus, and communicated during events. Please email ehs_labsafety@utk.edu to request to be added to the Lab Safety ListServ if you are not already enrolled.

EHS Spotlight: Kyle Whitaker Earns Fire Inspector I Certification

  Fire Safety, News & Updates 

We’re proud to recognize Kyle Whitaker for earning his Fire Inspector I certification through the State of Tennessee!

Earlier this year, Kyle completed a rigorous 70-hour course at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA) in Bell Buckle, TN. The program covered the International Fire Code, code application, and the complexities of fire prevention. After successfully passing both the course exam and the Commission on Firefighting test—a challenging accomplishment with only a moderate success rate—Kyle earned Pro Board and ICC Fire Inspector I credentials. Most recently, he was officially certified by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

This achievement not only highlights Kyle’s expertise but also strengthens the Fire & Life Safety Program, ensuring our team continues to uphold the highest standards in fire code knowledge and prevention. With this certification, all current team members are now certified Fire Inspectors by both ICC and the State of Tennessee.

Congratulations, Kyle, on this outstanding milestone!

EHS Spotlight: Billy Garner Earns ASP Certification

  Laboratory Safety, News & Updates 

 

The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team is proud to recognize Billy Garner for achieving his Associate Safety Professional (ASP) certification through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).

About BCSP and the ASP Credential

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, BCSP is a not-for-profit corporation and a global leader in credentialing for safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) practitioners. Since 1969, over 100,000 BCSP credentials have been awarded, setting a high standard of competency for safety professionals around the world.

The ASP certification demonstrates a broad scope of knowledge in SH&E practice and is a key milestone toward the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation. ASPs may serve in technical or program management roles, directly supervise employees, and provide expertise in safety assurance methodologies.

Achieving the ASP credential is no small feat—the examination consists of 200 rigorous multiple-choice questionscompleted within a five-hour timeframe. ASPs must also remain current in their practice by earning recertification points every five years.

Billy’s achievement not only reflects his personal commitment to excellence, but also strengthens our EHS team’s ability to support the University of Tennessee’s safety culture. His success reflects the impact of continuous growth, shared knowledge, and leadership in strengthening our safety culture.

Congratulations, Billy, on this outstanding accomplishment!

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