草榴社区 School of Construction and Design Faculty Awarded Research 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 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) are developing a comprehensive training program鈥搕ailored to construction industry professionals鈥搊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 Labor鈥檚 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 them in their research effort 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 鈥渋ncreased awareness and knowledge about lithium-ion battery hazards, safer practices and a significant reduction in battery-related incidents on construction sites.鈥� They also look forward to employing the highlights of their research in the classroom, preparing students for rewarding and safe careers.
鈥淯ltimately, this initiative aims to enhance the safety culture within the construction industry and promote the responsible use of lithium-ion battery technology,鈥� 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 鈥渟ince we all use lithium-ion battery powered devices.鈥� The final product鈥搕he training materials of lithium-ion battery hazards鈥搘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.
鈥淚鈥檝e been working on several OSHA Susan Harwood grants, and this year鈥檚 project is especially exciting because Drs. Kamari and Foroughi have joined me in this effort,鈥� Dr. Zhang explained. 鈥淎fter discussing various options, we chose this topic because it鈥檚 new and there are no existing training materials available on the OSHA website. We鈥檙e eager to learn more about lithium-ion battery hazards and help others stay safe."
Dr. Chris Winstead, 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences dean, hailed the OSHA grant as 鈥渁n outstanding example of how our faculty are engaged in work directly impacting the construction industry itself.鈥�
鈥淗aving faculty engaged in these professional and research activities helps to ensure our students are getting the most up-to-date education possible for their future careers in construction,鈥� Dr. Winstead said.
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