The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in the United States that supports safety in

science education Science education is the teaching and learning of science to school children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education includes work in science content, science process (the scientific method), som ...

. Founded in 1978 by Dr. James Kaufman to provide safety training for secondary school science teachers, LSI has grown to become "An International Center for Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs." The Laboratory Safety Institute was inspired by an explosion that took place in 1973 at

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a Private university, private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1865 in Worcester, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 ac ...

, where Dr. Kaufman had previously completed postdoctoral work and earned his Ph.D. Two hours after the explosion took place Kaufman arrived at the scene and based on what he saw and being a grad student Kaufman knew that the person who was experimenting was lucky he was not killed. This experience is part of what propelled the establishment of the Laboratory Safety Institute. Over the past 40 years, the Laboratory Safety Institute has taught courses to more than 100,000 people in 30 countries, spanning 130 different industries, including but not limited to:

research Research is " creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge". It involves the collection, organization and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness ...

, high-tech,

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is ...

medicine Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pr ...

, and

academia An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, ...

. The goal of LSI's courses is to open the people's eyes with real-life stories that teach unforgettable safety lessons. Additionally, LSI works with schools and corporations to improve their safety policies and safety programs, reducing injuries (and resulting

lawsuits - A lawsuit is a proceeding by a party or parties against another in the civil court of law. The archaic term "suit in law" is found in only a small number of laws still in effect today. The term "lawsuit" is used in reference to a civil acti ...

) and helping businesses be

OSHA OSHA or Osha may refer to: Work * Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency of the United States that regulates workplace safety and health * Occupational Safety and Health Act (United States) of 1970, a federal law in the Un ...

compliant. The Laboratory Safety institute offers a range of different courses such as: Lab safety short-course, How to be a Better Chemical Hygiene Officer, Safety in Secondary Schools, Developing a more Effective Lab Safety Program and More! Along with courses the Laboratory Safety Institute also hosts webinars, have online courses, and have DVD's you could purchase. Additionally, the Laboratory Safety Institute provides other services such as Chemical Hygiene Review, Lab inspections, Safety Program audits, Leadership seminar for Senior management, Development consultation and/or customized lab safety services. The Laboratory Safety Institute also has publications that they sell via hardcopy or e-book. As well as posters, safety equipment and audio/video products. LSI members are science educators and administrators as well as corporate hygiene officers, directors of environmental affairs, chemical handling and storage and

waste management Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitorin ...

personnel. To support individuals, corporations and schools in offering ongoing

training Training is teaching, or developing in oneself or others, any skills and knowledge or fitness that relate to specific useful competencies. Training has specific goals of improving one's capability, capacity, productivity and performance. I ...

, the Laboratory Safety Institute offers memberships with great discounts on our courses. Membership also funds

tuition Tuition payments, usually known as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in Commonwealth English, are fees charged by education institutions for instruction or other services. Besides public spending (by governments and other public bo ...

scholarships A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need. Scholarsh ...

for secondary school science, art and technology teachers to attend LSI safety short courses and seminars. LSI publishes articles and newsletters regarding best practices in

laboratory A laboratory (; ; colloquially lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratory services are provided in a variety of settings: physic ...

safety as well as safety manuals and teaching tools for teachers and laboratory managers.

References

Safety organizations Science education {{nonprofit-org-stub