The Office of Environmental Health and Safety has presented its inaugural Lab and Chemical Safety Outstanding Lab Award/Lab Safety Excellence Award to Dr. Younan Xia, professor and Brock Family chair, holding a joint appointments from the Schools of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Xia and his group of talented researchers earned this award for their exceptional efforts in maintaining a safety conscious laboratory work environment.

“Nothing is more important than lab safety,” stated Dr. Xia. “The consequences of not following safety rules can be disastrous – from serious harm to those in the lab to jeopardizing the research – everyone is responsible for ensuring a safe, clean, and organized environment for the entire research group.”

The Lab Safety Excellence Award was awarded based upon achieving a perfect score on the Lab and Chemical Safety Office’s (LCSO) inspection. Derived from multiple sources including OSHA and EPA regulations, the LCSO Inspection is a 70 point check list that not only covers items specific to general and chemical safety, including container labeling, chemical storage and appropriate organization, but also electrical, fire and gas cylinder safety protocols. The inspection also covers appropriate attire and personal protective equipment being worn by the people in the lab as well as a thorough review of the lab group’s training records to ensure everyone in the lab has received the appropriate training for the hazards presented by the materials and processes in use. A copy of the LCSO inspection checklist is available here.

"Georgia Tech appreciates everyone in the lab making safety a top priority. Part of an ongoing effort by Environmental Health and Safety is to recognize outstanding safety practices throughout campus and to raise awareness of the importance of safety in all our work activities,” stated Nazia Zakir, director for Environmental Health and Safety.