University of Michigan Innovates to Foster Safety in Research Environments
At the University of Michigan, a fresh approach to safety is transforming the way research and creative practice spaces operate. By integrating innovative strategies, the community is enhancing safety protocols, ensuring that every step in the research process is carried out securely and efficiently.
The Research and Academic Safety Committee invited input from the U-M community, seeking practical ideas to simplify the maintenance of safe environments in labs, studios, and creative spaces across campus. The goal was to find solutions that seamlessly integrate into the daily workflow of researchers and artists, reducing the burden of compliance while increasing adherence to safety standards.
Out of numerous submissions, three ideas stood out, each providing a unique approach to safety enhancement:
- Denislav Nikolov, a lecturer in mechanical engineering, encourages proactive safety planning among students in his senior capstone course. He developed a Google Form accessible via Canvas, prompting students to draft a safety plan alongside their design and testing activities.
- Jennie Lovett, a lead research lab specialist at the Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health, introduced door stickers in common areas to remind researchers to remove gloves before touching doorknobs, fostering a culture of cleanliness and safety.
- Pavlina Zafirovska, a histology technician in the Lab Animal Medicine Unit at Michigan Medicine, holds monthly focus meetings on single safety topics. Additionally, she has implemented incentives for teams that reach safety milestones, creating a motivational approach to compliance.
These initiatives exemplify how straightforward actions can lead to significant improvements in safety adherence. Each winner received a $250 award to further support their research endeavors.
“Maintaining and strengthening a strong culture of safety and collaboration is key to producing impactful research and is only possible because of the dedication of the U-M’s faculty, staff and students,” stated Danielle Sheen, assistant vice president for Environment, Health & Safety. “These tactics and methods help streamline the processes that keep everyone in laboratories, studios and shops safe while ensuring the highest standards of research quality and compliance.”
This initiative is championed by the Research and Academic Safety Committee, with strategic leadership from the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Provost’s Office, the Office of the Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Their concerted efforts aim to nurture a robust culture of safety throughout U-M’s research and academic settings.
