{"690708":{"#nid":"690708","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EH\u0026S Supports New Lab and Workplace Safety Certificate Program With Industry\u2011Based Learning Experience ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Environmental Health and Safety (EH\u0026amp;S) is helping prepare the next generation of safety leaders through a newly launched Lab and Workplace Safety Certificate Program, a yearlong initiative designed to strengthen laboratory safety culture and promote proactive, people\u2011centered approaches to risk management.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs part of the pilot program, Georgia Tech graduate students Megan Yutthasaksunthorn, Calib Lanier, and Youngsu Shin recently took a behind\u2011the\u2011scenes tour of Georgia Aquarium, gaining insight into how safety principles are applied in complex operational environments. The experience highlighted best practices in water quality monitoring, laboratory and workplace safety, and, most importantly, the role of a strong safety culture. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Program Rooted in Industry Best Practices\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Lab and Workplace Safety Certificate Program was developed in collaboration with ExxonMobil\u2019s laboratory safety program in Houston, Texas, bringing industry\u2011tested practices into an academic framework. Georgia Tech is participating alongside peer institutions, including Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas, reflecting a growing, cross-institutional commitment to advancing lab safety education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe certificate is designed primarily for graduate students pursuing careers with a focus on chemical and process safety, though qualified undergraduate students may also be considered. Over the course of the year, participants complete both online and hands-on learning components, blending foundational knowledge with applied experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe goal of the program is twofold: to develop safer laboratory practices and to equip participants with the skills to train and influence others\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Ein lab settings. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, the program emphasizes leadership, communication, and systems thinking \u2014 key elements of a sustainable safety culture.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHands\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2011\u003Cstrong\u003EOn Learning Beyond the Campus Lab\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Aquarium visit was part of the program\u2019s experiential component and offered a powerful example of safety in action beyond the traditional academic laboratory. Through a detailed presentation and tour, students learned how safety principles translate into daily operations in an environment where human performance, high\u2011risk activities, and complex systems intersect.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe visit was facilitated by EH\u0026amp;S Lab and Chemical Safety Officer Alicia Wood-Jones, who coordinated with an assistant dive manager of operations at the aquarium. The session included an in\u2011depth discussion on human factors and safety, an approach that asks a critical question: How do we design systems so mistakes don\u2019t lead to injury? \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis perspective resonated with students and reinforced one of the program\u2019s central themes: Effective safety programs anticipate human error and build layers of protection through planning, communication, and shared responsibility.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding Leadership and Safety Culture\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout the certificate program, participants engage in activities that strengthen both technical understanding and leadership capability. Hands-on components include:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e5a1352ffb3d2a1af572346c528a762d4\u0022\u003EDelivering safety talks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ed34acde232d72b383d3b5172e6031499\u0022\u003ELearning about safety culture in both academic and private industry settings.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3a868d1fcce1323048849624d5c1b509\u0022\u003EConducting peer lab inspections.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ed8e4e064fa7a1e487ed303b5a5c9bb3f\u0022\u003EEngaging in dialogue around real-world safety challenges.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy examining safety culture across different environments, students gain a broader understanding of how values, behaviors, and systems come together to support safe work practices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEH\u0026amp;S Leadership and Support\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEH\u0026amp;S plays a pivotal role in supporting the certificate program and ensuring students have access to meaningful learning experiences that align with campus safety priorities. The initiative was spearheaded by Rebecca Graham, EH\u0026amp;S laboratory and chemical safety specialist, whose leadership and coordination helped bring the program and field experience to fruition. \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to help lead this program and bring industry-informed practices, including those shaped through ExxonMobil\u2019s safety framework, into an academic setting,\u201d she said. \u201cOur goal is to equip students not only with technical knowledge, but with the leadership skills needed to build and sustain a proactive safety culture wherever their careers take them.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough programs like this, EH\u0026amp;S continues its mission of fostering a culture where safety is proactive, collaborative, and embedded in everything we do. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor additional information about the certificate program, contact Laboratory and Chemical Safety Specialist \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:rebecca.graham@ehs.gatech.com\u0022\u003ERebecca Graham.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Environmental Health and Safety (EH\u0026amp;S) is helping prepare the next generation of safety leaders through a new certificate program.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech Environmental Health and Safety (EH\u0026S) is helping prepare the next generation of safety leaders through a new certificate program."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-06-09 14:41:46","changed_gmt":"2026-06-11 16:49:22","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680446":{"id":"680446","type":"image","title":"aquarium_ehs_graham_.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E(L-R): Georgia Aquarium Dive Operator Jonathan Langham, student Megan Yutthasaksunthorn, student Youngsu Shin, EH\u0026amp;S Lab and Chemical Safety Specialist Taylor Porterfield, student Calib Lanier, EH\u0026amp;S Lab and Chemical Safety Specialist Rebecca Graham, and Georgia Aquarium Assistant Dive Operator Kristen Binz.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1781123402","gmt_created":"2026-06-10 20:30:02","changed":"1781196507","gmt_changed":"2026-06-11 16:48:27","alt":"EH\u0026S certificate program participants at the Georgia Aquarium","file":{"fid":"264706","name":"aquarium_ehs_graham_.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/10\/aquarium_ehs_graham_.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/10\/aquarium_ehs_graham_.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":647112,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/10\/aquarium_ehs_graham_.jpeg?itok=7EbF6Pw7"}}},"media_ids":["680446"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10135","name":"environmental health and safety"},{"id":"195170","name":"workplace safety"},{"id":"12942","name":"georgia aquarium"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECathy Brim\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Operations | Planning, Design, and Construction | Office of Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["cathy.brim@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}