USM School of Construction and Design Faculty Awarded Training 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 Southern Mississippi (USM) are developing a comprehensive training program–tailored to construction industry professionals–on 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’s 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 their team 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 “increased awareness and knowledge about lithium-ion battery hazards, safer practices and a significant reduction in battery-related incidents on construction sites.” They also look forward to employing the highlights of their results in the classroom, preparing students for rewarding and safe careers.

“Ultimately, this initiative aims to enhance the safety culture within the construction industry and promote the responsible use of lithium-ion battery technology,” 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 “since we all use lithium-ion battery powered devices.” The final product–the training materials of lithium-ion battery hazards–will 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.

“I’ve been working on several OSHA Susan Harwood grants, and this year’s project is especially exciting because Drs. Kamari and Foroughi have joined me in this effort,” Dr. Zhang explained. “After discussing various options, we chose this topic because it’s new and there are no existing training materials available on the OSHA website. We’re eager to learn more about lithium-ion battery hazards and help others stay safe." 

Dr. Chris Winstead, USM’s College of Arts and Sciences dean, hailed the OSHA grant as “an outstanding example of how our faculty are engaged in work directly impacting the construction industry itself.”

“Having faculty engaged in these professional activities helps to ensure our students are getting the most up-to-date education possible for their future careers in construction,” Dr. Winstead said.

The University of Southern Mississippi, at the time of initial publication of this document (11/20/2024), is funded by a grant of $74,959 federal funds, which constitutes 100 percent of the program budget. 

Click here for information about the USM School of Construction and Design.