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Don’t Get Burned Out: Fire Safety at UTK

  Fire Safety, News & Updates , , ,  

For the month of October EHS will be promoting Fire Safety at UTK. This year has presented many unusual challenges. We are inundated by messages, new procedures, and updates that can leave us tired, confused, or simply burned out.

In support of our annual slogan, “Safety Begins Between the Ears”, we encourage the campus community to not get burned out. Don’t let the challenges we face keep us from thinking about fire safety. All Vols should maintain vigilance and attention to conditions that lead to fires.

  • Stay alert to fire hazards
  • Know how to respond
  • Act when necessary

This month we will support various topics beginning with the National Fire Prevention Association’s Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10). This year, the NFPA is focused on home cooking fires. Many are working or learning remotely than before. Whether at home or in a UT residence hall, cooking fire safety has become more important. Please continue to follow us for some simple tools and guidance.

 

EHS supports UT Health and Wellness Campaign

  Health , , ,  

Environmental Health & Safety supports the University’s Health and Wellness Campaign. Throughout the month of September EHS will share reminders and resources that support Mask Up, Vols Help Vols, and Keep Rocky Top Safe.

This includes the inaugural use of our theme for this academic year, “Safety begins between the ears”. Each month throughout the year, EHS will share an area of health, safety, or environmental stewardship tied to this theme.A graphic of a face with a face covering or mask. Tagline is "Safety begins between the ears". Three supporting statements. Think how your decision to wear a mask or follow infectious disease protocols affects others. Understand how you help keep campus open. Feel empathy for those at risk of losing campus experiences, jobs, or income (including yourself). Actively support all UT COVID-19 mitigation measures by taking personal responsibility to follow protocols and by encouraging others to do the right thing.

“Safety begins between the ears” can mean many things. We hope it reminds all of us to wear our masks, follow all protocols, and Keep Rocky Top safe!

Three ways Vols can contribute

  1. Think how your decision to wear a mask or follow infectious disease protocols affects others. Understand how you help keep campus open.
  2. Feel empathy for those at risk of losing campus experiences, jobs, or income (including yourself).
  3. Actively support all UT COVID-19 mitigation measures by taking personal responsibility to follow protocols and by encouraging others to do the right thing.

See the Guide on Requirement to Wear Face Coverings for more information.

 

Environmental Health & Safety Hires New Assistant Director

  News & Updates 

Portrait of EHS Assistant Director Brian PayneA long-time safety, risk, and crisis management expert has been named the new assistant director of UT Environmental Health & Safety.

Brian Payne brings almost 30 years of experience to his new role, which he began August 3. As assistant director, he will oversee the department’s training and development, and several units including Occupational Health, Lab Safety, Radiation Safety, Industrial Safety, Environmental Programs, and Fire & Life Safety.

In addition to strengthening the safety culture at UT, Payne desires to collaborate with the EHS team in creating what he dubs an EHS Center of Excellence at the Knoxville campus and eventually in the UT System. The center would focus on keeping campus safe and healthy, while also arming students with the knowledge needed for a safe and healthful work life upon graduation.

“The vision is to not only teach our Vols about protecting themselves from the risks of the workplace and being environmentally responsible, but also have them become change agents for their future workplaces as they share their knowledge there,” he said.

Payne comes to UT from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company where he served as business continuity global program manager and developed resilience strategies for the company’s ever-changing global market.

The Alabama native earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, and a Master of Engineering from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Prior to Goodyear, he served 22 years in the United States Army Aviation Branch as a Blackhawk pilot with multiple combat tours.

Brian and his wife Denise are parents to three children, Emily, Spencer and Georgia.

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