Submarines and Research Safety

Submarines and Research Safety

Does the OceanGate Titan disaster (18 June 2023) have anything to teach research safety professionals?  I think it does. There are two axioms in safety that we will need to keep in mind for this post: · Nature is an indiscriminate executioner: Nature does not...
Walking Away

Walking Away

Last week I did something that I don’t do often: I walked away from a (potentially) large and intellectually stimulating contract that was well within my company’s wheelhouse. It was not an easy decision. In late 2021, I was approached by a very large...
GHS-type labels and Laboratory Chemicals

GHS-type labels and Laboratory Chemicals

I get the question at just about every workshop and just recently got it again a few weeks ago. “Do I have to put GHS-type labels on all of my in-use chemicals – even the 10 mL dropper bottles? So, in the spirit of “It’s better to be reminded than...
In Research- Sometimes Things Just Go Sideways

In Research- Sometimes Things Just Go Sideways

Sometimes things just go sideways I was working with a client conducting cutting-edge research recently when they experienced something completely unexpected.  A slight over-pressure in a glass reaction vessel caused one of the ground glass joints to unseat...
Leverage Your Leadership Style in EHS Leadership

Leverage Your Leadership Style in EHS Leadership

This is Part Six in Midwest Chemical Safety’s series on Leadership in Environmental Health and Safety. Catch up on the series in sequential order here: Part One: Leaders- Not Managers in EHS Leadership Part Two: Giving Information in EHS Leadership Part Three:...
Problem Solving in EHS Leadership

Problem Solving in EHS Leadership

This is Part Five in Midwest Chemical Safety’s series on Leadership in Environmental Health and Safety. Catch up on the series in sequential order here: Part One: Leaders- Not Managers In EHS Leadership Part Two: Giving Information in EHS Leadership Part Three:...