IBRL and the Food Science Pilot Plant are unique facilities on campus, blending research and teaching spaces into a near-industrial processing facility. We have built a strong safety culture and program to ensure a productive and safe work environment for our users, and to ensure our students leave with a good foundation for a lifetime of safe work practices.
To build this program, we have partnered or relied on the assistance of many resources including our industrial partners, staff hires direct from industry, campus safety resources (F&S Safety & Compliance, Division of Research Safety, and Campus Police), safety program and supplies vendors, and others. We also receive periodic reviews from the IBRL Advisory Board, industrial consultants, College of ACES and Illinois campus safety directors, and have staff that sit on the college safety committee. Both our full-time and student staff spend time each week discussing safety as well as opportunities for improvement. Safety-related activities include, but are not limited to:
- Dedicated Safety Discussion With “Topic of Week” During Weekly Staff Meeting
- Weekly Safety Walks & Facility Check Lists
- Safety Board
Our Operation’s Manual & Use Policy is available here.
Required Training to Work in IBRL
To enter the processing areas of our facility, you must review or complete the following:
Facility User
INTERNAL USER – Safety Orientation Presentation
EXTERNAL USER – Safety Orientation Presentation
Safety Orientation Checklist – Paper
Contractor or Non-Participating Vendor
Required PPE to Work in IBRL or FSHN Pilot Plant
Required PPE for All
- Long Pants (denim or khaki preferred) covering top of shoes
- Closed-toed shoes (minimum of tennis shoes, boots preferred). Protective toe advised but not required
- Safety glasses (Z87.1 certified) and hearing protection (when required) provided by IBRL
Available PPE & Equipment as Required
- Hand Protection – Lab Gloves, Work Gloves with Cut Protection, and Cryo Gloves
- Full Coverage Chemical Suits with Full-Face Respirators (Approved Users Only)
- Welding Jackets, Helmets, Gloves, and Respirators
- N95 & Full-Face Respirators (Approved Users Only)
- Chemical Spill Kits & Secondary Containment up to 55 Gallons Including Grounded Dispensing
- Material Handling Equipment (Pallet Jacks, Dollies, Drum Carts, Gas Cylinder Carts)
List of Safety Programs at IBRL
- Volunteer & Mandatory Respirator Program
- Chemical Handling
- Fork Lift & Man Lift Training with Weekly & Semi-Annual Equipment Inspections
- Truck (Vehicle) Authorized Driver Program & Semi-Annual Equipment Inspections
- Prescription Safety Glasses Program
- Genetically Modified Handling Certification
- HAZCOM – Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Members of Staff Trained in First Aid, CPR, & Defibrillator (equipment on-site)
- Vendor Managed Inventory Program
As we grow, we continue to cultivate our safety culture. If you have questions or suggestions for any portion of our safety program, please feel free to reach out to our Assistant Director of Operations & Safety, Marissa Nyland (mcastne2@illinois.edu).