Cultivating a culture of safety across campus is goal of new campaign

New campaign to highlight best safety practices, resources, and more

Stephanie Hess still remembers a time when personal protective equipment saved her from possible burns on her hands and arms.

“I was thankful to be wearing a lab coat and gloves,” said Hess, Director of the Division of Research Safety (DRS).

As a graduate student in chemistry more than a decade ago, Hess was using a concentrated hydroxide solution in a plastic bottle that she didn’t realize had become brittle. When she picked it up, her thumb went right through the bottle, spilling the solution all over herself and her surroundings. Hess could have been injured without the right safety precautions, but instead she was reminded of an important lesson: accidents can happen when you least expect it, and it is always important to be prepared.

Now, Hess, along with Jeremy Neighbors, Director of Safety and Compliance (S&C), have joined forces to emphasize the importance of preparation and to promote a culture of safety at Illinois.

“Most scientists have a story about an incident that sticks with them forever,” said Hess. “One of the many positive things about a strong safety culture is that people are more comfortable sharing those stories so we can learn from each other.”

Cultivating a culture of safety is for everyone on campus, whether your daily work involves risk factors or not. A new website and social media campaign hopes to raise awareness of basic safety practices, encourage everyone to be proactive, and make it easier for anyone to access safety staff and find resources.

“To continue to improve the campus safety culture, we need to raise awareness and increase engagement at all levels and promote an environment where speaking up is encouraged,” said Neighbors. “We believe a message that humanizes safety and promotes it in a positive way is the best way to show we all have a role in keeping ourselves and those around us safe.”

“This campaign emphasizes the collective responsibility each of us has in fostering a safe work environment at Illinois,” said Hess. “I am hopeful it will empower our faculty, staff, and students to take an active role in safety – whether by contributing new ideas, sharing mistakes, voicing concerns, or working together to reduce risk.”

The website includes resources on how to stay safe, a portal for sharing stories that help us learn from each other, and a safety pledge for anyone on campus to take. People who do will receive a digital badge to share on social media, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining an environment where safety is valued, respected, and promoted by all.

“We’re a community at Illinois, and we need to look out for each other,” said Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation. “Being intentional about safety is key to great workplaces and great science!”

"Creating and sustaining a safe campus community is our top priority,” said Jeff Angiel, Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Facilities & Services. “By fostering a culture of safety, we ensure that everyone, faculty, staff, and students, can focus on their work with confidence. A safe environment empowers us all to contribute effectively and work toward the ongoing success of the university."