Job Summary
Provide leadership and management for comprehensive health and safety programs supporting research and academic laboratories, machine shops, and makerspaces where hazardous materials or equipment are used. This position reports to the Associate Director of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) and is expected to demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to customer service and collaboration in all aspects of work.
This position manages a team of nine (9) professional staff supporting laboratory and research safety programs. Responsibilities include oversight and direct supervision of the laboratory/shop inspection program; development and maintenance of policy and program documents, including the U-M Chemical Hygiene Plan, university-wide guidance documents, and standard operating procedures; and providing technical expertise related to chemical safety and creative/fabrication spaces, including machine shops. The position also supports protocol review, consultation for the university research community, and review of plans and designs involving laboratory/shop ventilation systems, selection of appropriate engineering controls, and implementation of methods to reduce occupational exposures.
• Responsibilities*
• Provide lab and shop safety Inspection program management and oversight.
• Ensure inspections are conducted with consistency and quality and escalate outstanding issues according to established procedures.
• Determine research and academic safety and compliance requirements, identify improvements, communicate requirements, and implement safety guidelines and recommendations.
• Develop and conduct training relevant to laboratory and research safety
• Serve as a member of the U-M Research and Academic Safety Steering Committee to provide chemical and laboratory safety expertise.
• Provide technical support and participate in institutional safety committees, including U-M School and Unit Safety Committees.
• Review facility designs for new and existing research facilities, including laboratories and shops and make recommendations related to health, safety, ventilation, and engineering controls.
• Assist with injury, illness, incident, and near-miss investigations and prevention. Work with units to identify causes and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Provide technical expertise in chemical hazard assessment and the application of safety and health regulations and programs supporting research laboratories and machine shops.
• Serve as the institutional Chemical Hygiene Officer.