Department of Biological Sciences Honored with Presidential Excellence in Safety Award

August 2025

Safety is central to the mission of the Department of Biological Sciences. This commitment earned the department this year’s President’s Departmental Excellence in Safety Award. 

Safety is central to the mission of the Department of Biological Sciences. This commitment earned the department this year’s President’s Departmental Excellence in Safety Award. Through proactive leadership and engagement at every level, the department has built a culture or safety both laboratory and field settings as it is a shared responsibility.

One of the department’s most notable achievements is the creation of a Field Safety Plan (FSP) for off-campus research activities. The FSP has been praised by Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) professionals as “the most robust plan they have ever received,” this initiative demonstrates the department’s proactive commitment to protecting its researchers. Additionally,  leadership engagement, led by the Department Chair and the Safety, Security, and Emergency Actions Committee (SSEAC), ensures that safety improvements are continuously identified and implemented across all buildings and research areas.

Faculty throughout the department create a “safety first” environment in their classrooms and laboratories by incorporating regular demonstrations, regularly updated standard operating procedures, and open discussions of near-miss events.

Funding Impact

Award funds will go toward four key improvements that will enhance academic safety across the department. The first improvement focuses on renovating the autoclave room like replacing old shelving and adding secure storage to enable improved safety when handling biological materials. The second involves updating the chemical storage rooms with modern containment units and shelving to reduce risk, subsequently improving compliance. Third, new flammability cabinets for incoming faculty, ensuring that hazardous materials are stored safely. Finally, the department plans to restock first aid supplies and add emergency road kits to all departmental vehicles used for fieldwork.

Through leadership, engagement, and targeted reinvestment of award funds, the Department of Biological Sciences continues to set a standard for excellence in safety at Texas Tech University.