Safety Calendar Helps Science Leaders Build a Safety Culture
By James Palcik, NRCC Registered CHO, Safer STEM CEO
Every September, classrooms fill with curiosity, creativity, and the unmistakable scent of fresh lab coats and new beginnings. But for too many schools, it’s also the time when preventable accidents remind us that science education should spark discovery—not danger.
That’s why Safer STEM has launched the Safer STEM Safety Calendar , a free monthly safety series designed specifically for science leaders, department chairs, Chemical Hygiene Officers, and facilities directors . This yearlong initiative offers a full toolkit of ready-to-use resources, so your department meetings aren’t just productive… they’re protective.
What’s Inside the Safer STEM Safety Calendar
Each month, science safety leaders receive a meeting-ready PowerPoint presentation , practical tools, and checklists focused on a key lab safety theme, from Personal Protective Equipment to Chemical Spills , Fire Safety , and beyond.
Here’s what September delivers to kick off the series:
- PowerPoint Presentation: Back to School and Lab Safety , a presentation you can deliver at your next department meeting.
- Student Safety Acknowledgment Templates: Reinforce accountability from day one.
- The 70 Essential Chemicals Every Secondary School Should Have: Streamline inventory and align with OSHA/NSTA best practices.
- Inspection & Audit Checklists: Simplify compliance and make reviews stress-free.
By year’s end, subscribers will have 12 expert presentations and 36 actionable resources , a complete science safety playbook for their school or district.
Monthly Safety Focus Areas
Each month zeroes in on a critical safety topic, helping departments stay proactive and compliant:
- September: Back to School & Lab Safety
- October: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- November: Fire Safety Readiness
- December: Chemical Spill Preparedness
- January: Chemical Management & Inventory
- February: Hazardous Waste Protocols
- March: Engineering Controls
- April: Greener Chemistry Practices
- May: End-of-Year Inspections
- June: School Closing Protocols
Every package includes a downloadable toolkit to use during your department meeting—complete with editable templates, slides, and recordkeeping forms.
Why It Matters
As someone who’s spent decades advocating for science safety in schools, I’ve seen a consistent truth: most lab accidents are preventable with the right tools, training, and oversight.
A safety culture doesn’t appear overnight; it’s built through routine conversations, regular reviews, and visible commitment from leadership . The Safer STEM Safety Calendar provides exactly that structure. Each monthly meeting becomes a building block in your district’s comprehensive safety plan.
As James Palcik puts it:
“Let’s build safer labs together—one month at a time.”
Take Action: Start This Month
If you’re a department chair, Chemical Hygiene Officer, or STEM supervisor , you don’t have to start from scratch.
This small step sets expectations that last all year—protecting your staff, your students, and your school community.
👉 Access the Free Safer STEM Safety Calendar here: https://saferstem.com/building-a-culture-of-safety-monthly-topics-for-the-school-year/
