LOSA Student: Safety Culture Training

LOSA Student is an interactive, scenario-based safety training program designed for those working in laboratories, research environments, engineering facilities, and other technical settings. The curriculum is rooted in the Laboratory Operations Supervisor Academy (LOSA), originally developed by Battelle Memorial Institute and utilized across national laboratories, including Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Now, in partnership with Idaho State University, the program is being adapted specifically for the university environment. Participants gain firsthand experience with an INL-proven approach to safety culture, building practical skills that easily transfer to internships, academic research, and future technical careers.  

Rather than spending the session listening to a traditional safety lecture, participants will work through realistic situations that can occur in research and laboratory environments. Scenarios may involve equipment hazards, missing or inadequate safety controls, working alone, time pressure, peer pressure, communication problems, procedural shortcuts, and situations where a participant may need to question a more experienced person or stop work when something does not seem right. Participants rotate through roles, observe one another, discuss what happened, and receive feedback from their peers and facilitators.

Throughout the training, participants will be introduced to Safe Conduct of Research (SCoR) principles emphasizing personal responsibility for safety, maintaining a questioning attitude, recognizing and evaluating hazards, communicating concerns, learning from experience, and maintaining a healthy respect for what can go wrong. The goal is to help individuals develop the confidence and judgment to recognize problems early, speak up effectively, and make sound decisions even when faced with schedule pressure or competing priorities.

The course is highly interactive and is intended to give participants practical experience rather than simply reviewing rules and procedures. The course provides students, staff, faculty, and others with opportunities for role-play, peer observation, group discussion, individualized feedback, and reflection on how safety culture affects real research and technical work. Participants completing the training will also take part in the program evaluation and receive a certificate as part of the session.

Locations:

August 20, 21, 27, & 28
Engineering Research Complex, 1030 S. 2nd Ave., Pocatello
Room: Lobby

September 17 & 18
Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center (CMESIC)
995 MK Simpson Blvd, Idaho Falls
Room: Auditorium