EHS Partners with Medicinal Chemistry Dept. for Fall Semester Fire Safety and Extinguisher Labs


EHS staff (L-R), Aaron Stadler, Clint Saline and Sean Hadley, conducting a Fire Safety Training Lab for Medicinal Chemistry Department students

 

KU LAWRENCE CAMPUS -- The Department of Environment, Health & Safety (KU-EHS) held two Fire Safety and Extinguisher Labs on September 26, 2024 with the Medicinal Chemistry Department students and postdocs. Professor Zarko Boskovic, Med. Chem. Safety Officer, coordinated the labs with EHS to further educate students how to handle fire emergency events and safe extinguisher usage while working in their labs. 

Clint Saline demonstrating the PASS method for extinguishing fires

Boskovic states, “As a departmental safety coordinator for the Medicinal Chemistry department, it is a highlight of my Fall semester when we gather new trainees (postdocs, grad students, and undergrads) for a hands-on demonstration of the use of fire extinguishers organized by the resourceful EHS staff. Unlike online training, which is easily forgotten, the visceral experience of putting down a small chemical fire sticks with our students for a long time. Don’t PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) on this opportunity to enhance the safety culture at KU.”

Students extinguishing a fire using the Buddy System

The Fire Safety and Extinguisher lab is a hands-on component to our online Fire Safety and Extinguishers online course.

Students who attend this lab will learn:

  • What to do in case of a fire or other emergency
  • Types of fires that are common on campus 
  •  Extinguisher types and locations
  •  How and when to fight fires as a team using the Buddy System

 

Labs are held at Kurata on a first come, first served basis.

Recommended class size is 6-24 students.

More EHS training resources: Safety Training | Fire Safety and Extinguishers lab