Texas ChE students, faculty and staff present at Exxon safety workshop

ExxonMobil’s Baytown Technology and Engineering Center recently hosted 80 graduate students from six universities for its annual Partners in Academic Laboratory Safety (PALS) Workshop.  As part of the PALS workship, a Texas ChE panel comprised of four students, one faculty and one staff member, presented on the current lab safety protocols, seeking feedback to improve existing  programs and best practices. Students Malgorzata (Gosia) Chwatko, Caitlin Donovan, Mike Lucas and Tommy FitzSimons alongside Dr. Adrianne Rosales and staff member Tony Le attended the PALS workshop.

80 graduate students from six universities, including University of Texas, Texas A&M, University of Houston, Georgia Tech, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Florida attended the recent Partners in Academic Laboratory Safety Workshop at the ExxonMobil Baytown Technology and Engineering Complex in Baytown, Texas.

 

“It was so valuable for our department to hear how other universities and Exxon are stepping up to the plate on their safety initiatives and we were thrilled to share all we’re doing to help foster and promote student and workplace safety in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering,” says Tony Le.

Technical ChE staff member Tony Le shows some Texas spirit at the PALS presentations.

 

Now in its  fifth year, the PALS program establishes mentoring relationships between ExxonMobil and faculty, staff and students from partner universities to enhance laboratory safety culture. The workshop was established after ExxonMobil recognized new employees needed additional lab safety training besides what was offered at their universities.

“Safety is a core value at ExxonMobil,” said Dirk Michiels, Global Polymers Technology Manager. “This program shares ideas and best practices to help ensure students have adequate laboratory safety training incorporated into their curriculums and we learn a lot from the students and universities as well.”

Texas ChE participants listen in on the PALS presentations.

 

Other students from University of Texas, Texas A&M, University of Houston, University of Florida, Georgia Tech, and Washington University in St. Louis participated in ExxonMobil laboratory tours to highlight different aspects of laboratory safety, including rotating equipment and chemical handling, to documentation and engineering controls.

Tags: Adrianne Rosales, ExxonMobil, PALS, safety, Texas ChE