By Hector Acuña, UC Santa Barbara
In April, the UC Santa Barbara Environmental Health and Safety team welcomed 140 Department Safety Representatives (DSRs) for the 8th Annual Safety Representatives’ Summit — a dynamic gathering designed to empower those who are the liaison of campus safety.
DSRs play a pivotal role in weaving health and safety programs into the everyday fabric of their departments, building strong internal networks for communication, and serving as vital liaisons with Environmental Health & Safety. Their efforts ensure that safety becomes part of the campus culture.
This year’s summit was packed with timely, relevant content. The program opened with a keynote on campus-wide power shutoffs, a topic of growing importance as public safety power shut downs become more frequent. Attendees also gained valuable insights into the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s latest requirements for preventing indoor and outdoor heat illness, learning new standards, practical resources and the importance of staying vigilant as temperatures rise. The UC Santa Barbara Police Department delivered a compelling session on responding to hostile intruders and workplace violence, equipping DSRs with strategies to keep their colleagues safe in high-stress situations.
The summit included a variety of interactive activities. DSRs practiced using fire extinguishers and learned the basics of operating automated external defibrillators. They also brushed up on ladder safety, explored emergency response protocols and connected directly with risk management and research safety teams.
Every DSR left with new tools, fresh knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose — ready to champion safety and resilience in every corner of campus.