USM School of Construction and Design Faculty Awarded Training Grant from U.S. Dept. of Labor
Tue, 11/19/2024 - 01:49pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Three faculty members in the School of Construction and Design at The University of 91吃瓜网 (USM) are developing a comprehensive training program91吃瓜网搕ailored to construction industry professionals91吃瓜网搊n the safe use, handling, storage, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries with an emphasis on hazard identification, preventative measures, and emergency response. The one-year project is made possible by a Susan Harwood training grant through the U.S. Department of Labor91吃瓜网 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) agency.
The team includes Dr. Fan Zhang, associate professor and construction management program coordinator, and Drs. Mirsalar Kamari and Mohsen Foroughi-Sabzevar, assistant professors and co-principal investigators. They expect to have students join their team soon to obtain their goal of mitigating risks and ensuring worker safety and site security, as lithium-ion batteries are increasingly used in tools, equipment, and energy storage systems on construction sites.
Dr. Zhang said she and her colleagues hope their work will lead to 91吃瓜网渋ncreased awareness and knowledge about lithium-ion battery hazards, safer practices and a significant reduction in battery-related incidents on construction sites.91吃瓜网� They also look forward to employing the highlights of their results in the classroom, preparing students for rewarding and safe careers.
91吃瓜网淯ltimately, this initiative aims to enhance the safety culture within the construction industry and promote the responsible use of lithium-ion battery technology,91吃瓜网� Dr. Zhang further noted.
And while the primary beneficiaries of the project are those who work in the construction industry, Dr. Zhang believes it can benefit anyone 91吃瓜网渟ince we all use lithium-ion battery powered devices.91吃瓜网� The final product91吃瓜网搕he training materials of lithium-ion battery hazards91吃瓜网搘ill be posted online for anyone to access.
Through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, OSHA awards funding to nonprofit organizations on a competitive basis, with the goal of providing training and education programs for employers and workers on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e been working on several OSHA Susan Harwood grants, and this year91吃瓜网 project is especially exciting because Drs. Kamari and Foroughi have joined me in this effort,91吃瓜网� Dr. Zhang explained. 91吃瓜网淎fter discussing various options, we chose this topic because it91吃瓜网 new and there are no existing training materials available on the OSHA website. We91吃瓜网檙e eager to learn more about lithium-ion battery hazards and help others stay safe."
Dr. Chris Winstead, USM91吃瓜网 College of Arts and Sciences dean, hailed the OSHA grant as 91吃瓜网渁n outstanding example of how our faculty are engaged in work directly impacting the construction industry itself.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淗aving faculty engaged in these professional activities helps to ensure our students are getting the most up-to-date education possible for their future careers in construction,91吃瓜网� Dr. Winstead said.
91吃瓜网, at the time of initial publication of this document (11/20/2024), is funded by a grant of $74,959 federal funds, which constitutes 100 percent of the program budget.
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