KBS lab safety efforts draw accolades

Safety first is a fundamental tenet in all laboratories, and W.K. Kellogg Biological Station researchers and staff have garnered praise for maintaining safe facilities.

Brian Balcom, operations and safety; Holly Vander Stel, Evans Lab manager; and Andy Widner, assistant director of finance and operations; were named as recipients of a laboratory safety certificate of recognition from Michigan State University’s Environmental Health and Safety Lab Inspection team.

‘A team effort’

The inspection team singled out KBS for an outstanding cohesive approach to lab safety, writing:

“During inspections, they provided consistent guidance to ensure all relevant spaces were reviewed and that any issues were clearly understood and promptly addressed. The collaborative efforts of the researchers at Kellogg Biological Station were evident in the thoughtful implementation of recommendations from the previous year’s inspections.”

“This award was truly a team effort,” said Widner. “It’s a credit to the hard work over time that Andy Fogiel put in with the labs. Also, to Holly and Brian for staying on top of the many topics that go into making sure our labs are safe and running smoothly. And finally, thanks to all the lab managers for their efforts as well.

“This is an award we can all be proud of.”

The award recipients will receive certificates and a small gift when KBS lab inspections occur later this fall.