121: From School Teacher to Associate Professor of Occupational Safety

The Accidental Safety Pro

Meet Dr. Jan Handwerk, Associate Professor of Occupational Safety at the University of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Handwerk discusses the challenges she faced throughout her diverse career in male-dominated industries, from teaching physical education to working as a utility substation mechanic, including issues with properly fitting PPE. She emphasizes the importance of effective communication skills for safety professionals and shares insights on the evolving safety landscape, noting the shift from reactive to more preventive approaches. Dr. Handwerk also discusses the "Safety Olympics" she helped establish, which allows safety students from various universities to compete and network. Listen now to hear about the experiences and perspectives of a seasoned safety professional dedicated to educating the next generation of EHS leaders.

University of Central Oklahoma Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety

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