The Lab Safety Gurus

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/0d/d1/02/0dd10220-7a87-945f-dbd4-6e33c5ccd6ac/mza_14041257270762467623.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

The Lab Safety Gurus

WITH DAN SCUNGIO & SEAN KAUFMAN

28 episodes

2 weeks ago

Send us a text Safety doesn’t take a holiday when budgets tighten or tempers flare. We open up about a tough season, the quiet grief many are carrying, and why small fractures in everyday connection can ripple into big risks at the bench. From cashierless cafeterias to self-checkout lanes, those missing micro-moments of human contact show up in the lab as thinner patience, weaker trust, and slower recovery when mistakes happen. That’s exactly where we focus: how to restore the muscle of respe...

Show more...

Natural Sciences,

All content for The Lab Safety Gurus is the property of WITH DAN SCUNGIO & SEAN KAUFMAN and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text Safety doesn’t take a holiday when budgets tighten or tempers flare. We open up about a tough season, the quiet grief many are carrying, and why small fractures in everyday connection can ripple into big risks at the bench. From cashierless cafeterias to self-checkout lanes, those missing micro-moments of human contact show up in the lab as thinner patience, weaker trust, and slower recovery when mistakes happen. That’s exactly where we focus: how to restore the muscle of respe...

Show more...

Natural Sciences,

Episodes (20/28)

The Lab Safety Gurus

How Budget Cuts And Disagreement Threaten Lab Safety

Send us a text Safety doesn’t take a holiday when budgets tighten or tempers flare. We open up about a tough season, the quiet grief many are carrying, and why small fractures in everyday connection can ripple into big risks at the bench. From cashierless cafeterias to self-checkout lanes, those missing micro-moments of human contact show up in the lab as thinner patience, weaker trust, and slower recovery when mistakes happen. That’s exactly where we focus: how to restore the muscle of respe...

2 weeks ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

From Mouth Pipettes to Modern Practices: The Revolution of Laboratory Safety Standards

Send us a text The laboratory safety landscape has transformed dramatically over the decades, yet many challenges persist in creating truly safe working environments. This eye-opening conversation between Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman delves into the startling history of laboratory practices that once seemed normal but would horrify modern safety professionals. Dan shares shocking stories from his early career in the 1990s, when students were given "spit strings" to mouth-suction body fluids ...

2 months ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Finding Your Footing: The Value of Professional Coaching for Lab Safety Professionals

Send us a text The weight of responsibility in laboratory safety can be crushing. Between emergencies disrupting your carefully planned day, colleagues who seem determined to argue with every safety measure, and the peculiar invisibility of successful prevention efforts, it's no wonder safety professionals often feel isolated and undervalued. Sean opens this heartfelt episode by sharing the loss of his friend Ellen, a laboratory safety professional who was experiencing significant job-...

3 months ago

15 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Making Lab Safety Relatable: Powerful Analogies for Behavior Change

Send us a text Why do some safety messages stick while others are ignored? The answer lies in how we frame them. In this enlightening conversation, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman explore the art and science of making laboratory safety relatable through powerful analogies that bridge everyday experiences with laboratory practices. They examine why seatbelts became widely adopted not merely through risk awareness but through campaigns like "Click It or Ticket," revealing that behavior is driven ...

4 months ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

The Leadership Institute for Laboratory Safety Management: A Cruise Ship Adventure

Send us a text Ready for a professional development experience that breaks the mold? The Laboratory Safety Gurus, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, are launching something unprecedented in the laboratory safety world – a Leadership Institute for Laboratory Safety Management aboard a Caribbean cruise ship. From the cold of winter to the warmth of tropical waters, this seven-day journey (January 31-February 7, 2025) combines rigorous professional education with genuine refreshment. For those servi...

5 months ago

15 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

From Reporting to Action: Closing the Loop on Laboratory Safety Incidents

Send us a text Safety reporting in laboratories isn't just about checking boxes—it's about creating fundamental change that protects everyone. In this candid conversation, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman tackle the uncomfortable reality that many lab professionals face: reporting systems exist, but fear of punishment keeps critical safety information hidden. What happens when a laboratory culture punishes those who speak up about safety concerns? The consequences extend far beyond incident rate...

7 months ago

15 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Promises We Keep: Getting Everyone Home Safe Every Night

Send us a text What can spiritual practices teach us about laboratory safety? In this thought-provoking discussion, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman draw unexpected parallels between religious observances like Lent and Ramadan and the discipline required for maintaining a safe laboratory environment. We explore the challenging journey of behavioral change in laboratory settings, questioning how long it truly takes to transform safety habits and create lasting cultural shifts. Sean offers a power...

7 months ago

17 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Embodying Safety: Transformative Resolutions for a Safer Laboratory Environment

Send us a text Kickstart your year by aligning your beliefs with your behaviors in the lab. Discover the power of genuine commitment to safety as we, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, guide you through practical safety resolutions that go beyond mere words. We promise you'll learn how to effectively embody safety in your daily practices by replacing outdated habits with sustainable, healthier ones. Together, we'll explore the hierarchy of controls, waste management, and the often-overlooked aspec...

9 months ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Revolutionizing Safety Culture: The Intersection of Psychology and Laboratory Protocols

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of aligning human psychology with laboratory safety protocols as Sean Kaufman and Dan Scungio unravel the intriguing parallels between Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the hierarchy of controls. Discover how addressing fundamental needs for air and water can be mirrored in engineering controls to create safer laboratory environments. As we journey through this discussion, we highlight the often overlooked connection between comfort, security, and adherence to ...

12 months ago

15 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

From Stress to Success: Navigating Lab Emergencies

Send us a text How prepared are you mentally to handle a lab emergency? Join us as we unpack this crucial—but often overlooked—aspect of laboratory safety. In this riveting episode of the Lab Safety Gurus Podcast, we dive into the heart of psychological preparedness for lab workers. Dan Scungio shares his firsthand encounters with unexpected lab incidents, such as unknown source exposures and accidental pathogen contact. We discuss the everyday stressors of the lab environment, from staffing ...

1 year ago

18 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Spotlight on Laboratory Scientists Fighting Emerging Diseases

Send us a text How do laboratories act as frontline warriors during health crises like COVID-19? Join us, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, as we explore the indispensable role these labs play in diagnosing diseases, guiding treatments, and ensuring public safety. Drawing from our own experiences and professional insights, we discuss the procedural challenges and emotional pressures faced by laboratory professionals, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized training in handling dangerous subst...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Normalized Deviance in Laboratory Settings

Send us a text What happens when unsafe practices become the norm in your lab? Join us as we reflect on the tragic Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and how it unveiled the concept of "normalized deviance" — where organizations become desensitized to risky behaviors. We share our own memories of that devastating day and draw parallels to everyday lab environments, stressing the grave dangers of neglecting personal protective equipment (PPE) and bypassing engineering controls. By highlighting ...

1 year ago

18 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Navigating Conflict and Communication Challenges in Laboratory Teams

Send us a text Ever wondered how to handle that colleague who just doesn't seem to get it? On the latest episode of the Lab Safety Gurus Podcast, we promise to equip you with practical strategies and real-life anecdotes to tackle even the most challenging coworkers in your lab. From those who hog the spotlight to others who bend or break the rules, we break down various difficult personality types and explore the generational shifts impacting workplace dynamics. Learn how maintaining high sta...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Redefining Glove Removal Protocols in Laboratory Environments

Send us a text When it comes to laboratory safety, the smallest steps can have the biggest impact—discover how with our special guests, Sean Kaufman and Dan Scungio, as we unveil the Beaking Method for doffing gloves. Developed in response to the harrowing realities of lab-acquired infections and the stark lessons from GloGerm experiments, this episode is a deep dive into a technique that's reshaping safety protocols. Hear about its critical role during the Ebola crisis and the roadblocks we ...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Mastering Laboratory Evacuations and Biohazard Emergencies

Send us a text When the ground shakes beneath a lab, every second counts. Join us, your Lab Safety Gurus, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, as we dissect the thrilling, yet essential topic of laboratory evacuations, sparked by New Jersey's unexpected seismic stir. Through vivid recollections of the Virginia earthquake, we'll bring you eye-opening insights on the necessity of robust evacuation strategies, including horizontal and zonal methods, tailored for an array of exigencies. Encounter the gr...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Reimagining Lab Safety Training for Behavioral Impact

Send us a text Tired of snoozing through the same old lab safety spiel? Buckle up, because lab safety gurus Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman are here to shake up the status quo of blood-borne pathogen instruction. Get ready to transform your approach to lab safety as they lay out the raw truth behind the cookie-cutter compliance culture that's numbing the minds of lab professionals everywhere. By bringing our personal frustrations to the table, we illuminate the stark difference between rote poli...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Strategies for Laboratory Safety in the Face of Emerging Threats

Send us a text Uncover the hidden complexities of lab safety as we team up with Sean Kaufman and Dan Scungio to dissect the intersections of biosafety, psychological preparedness, and communication within the lab. When a laboratory's casual approach to separation leads to a heated encounter with OSHA, we're forced to question the balance between stringent regulations and practical risk management. Tune in to hear us tackle the debate on absolute physical barriers and the scientific grounds fo...

1 year ago

18 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

The Lifesaving Guide to Responding to a Person Down in the Laboratory

Send us a text Are you equipped to face a 'man down' scenario in your lab? Ensuring your team's safety is paramount, and that's why we, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, are here to share essential strategies and firsthand accounts for navigating these high-stress situations. Our latest episode of the Lab Safety Gurus Podcast is a deep dive into the critical response protocols needed when seconds count. With stories pulled from our own experiences, including a harrowing tale from a highly infecti...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Leadership by Action in Laboratory Safety Cultures

Send us a text What defines a true leader in the high-stakes world of lab safety? Join us as we unravel this question with insights from my guest, the founder of the Leadership Institute for Biosafety Professionals. We tackle the nuanced roles of leadership in creating and maintaining a robust safety culture, and share personal experiences that highlight the intricate dance of juggling safety with other managerial responsibilities. Discover whether a leader is shaped by their title or their a...

1 year ago

16 minutes

The Lab Safety Gurus

Nurturing a Culture of Compliance and Care in Laboratory Settings

Send us a text Have you ever wondered how a sprinkle of positive reinforcement can ignite a rigorous safety culture in a laboratory? Prepare to be enlightened as your Lab Safety Gurus, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, unveil the pivotal role of accountability and compliance in fostering a dynamic lab environment. In our latest episode, we dissect the art of encouraging positive safety behaviors, where observation meets opportunity for immediate course correction. With an intriguing look at how a...

1 year ago

16 minutes