2025 Badge Summit

We have implemented a Lab Safety Badging program embedded in academic courses to improve safety knowledge, skill verification, and access for students, as well as compliance for lab managers and faculty in both the Engineering and Chemistry labs. This badging system includes both foundational lab safety badges in Engineering and Chemistry, as well as advanced credentials in each department, including Woodshop hybrid credentials, as well as Chemical Safety for summer research students.
 These badges ensure that students acquire the skills necessary to work safely and effectively in their labs. The program fosters collaboration across departments and lab managers who can build on each other's work and training models, supports equity by providing consistent training opportunities for all students, and increases efficiency in delivering training at scale.
The training model combines self-paced online learning with in-person, hands-on workshops to optimize personalized attention while maintaining training efficiency. Students can conveniently access and reference training materials as needed, and the system ensures that they remain up-to-date through periodic recertification. This ongoing process reinforces critical safety protocols at regular intervals during their academic journey.
Additionally, the program addresses key institutional needs by streamlining the tracking of student training completion, which directly supports compliance with OSHA regulations for lab safety. This streamlined approach not only enhances student outcomes but also ensures institutional accountability and adherence to safety standards.