The Chemical Engineering Student Safety Team (ChESST) is a graduate student initiative in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Houston. We aim to promote student safety and wellness within the research community on campus. ChESST was established in 2021, inspired by the Partners in Academic Laboratory Safety (PALS) workshop held by ExxonMobil. ChESST aims to foster safety culture among the graduate students by hosting safety-related workshops and seminars, creating a space for students to discuss safety-related issues, and communicating students’ needs to faculty and safety professionals. We host a series of events, workshops and lab inspections every semester, which provide a platform for students to share any safety-related concerns in our department and discuss ways to address them.
“An understanding of safe work practices is an essential part of any chemical engineering program. The UH Chemical Engineering Student Safety Team has played a critical role in furthering this aspect of our program through safety audits, training programs, and monthly newsletters. ChESST now has a strong foundation, and is poised to have an even greater impact in the very near future.”
– Dr. Praveen Bollini, ChESST Faculty Advisor