The Lab Safety Gurus

The Lab Safety Gurus

Discover the secrets to enhancing laboratory safety without the hassle of navigating complex regulations and modifying established practices. Tune in to the enlightening discussions led by the knowledgeable Dan the Lab Safety Man and infectious disease behaviorist Sean Kaufman. Together, they explore a wide range of lab safety subjects on a weekly basis. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and engaging debates surrounding lab safety by tuning in to every episode. Don't miss out on this valuable resource!

Episodes

July 14, 2025 15 mins

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The weight of responsibility in laboratory safety can be crushing. Between emergencies disrupting your carefully planned day, colleagues who seem determined to argue with every safety measure, and the peculiar invisibility of successful prevention efforts, it's no wonder safety professionals often feel isolated and undervalued. 

Sean opens this heartfelt episode by sharing the loss of his friend Ellen, a...

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Why do some safety messages stick while others are ignored? The answer lies in how we frame them.

In this enlightening conversation, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman explore the art and science of making laboratory safety relatable through powerful analogies that bridge everyday experiences with laboratory practices. They examine why seatbelts became widely adopted not merely through risk awareness but through ca...

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Ready for a professional development experience that breaks the mold? The Laboratory Safety Gurus, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, are launching something unprecedented in the laboratory safety world – a Leadership Institute for Laboratory Safety Management aboard a Caribbean cruise ship.

From the cold of winter to the warmth of tropical waters, this seven-day journey (January 31-February 7, 2025) combines rigo...

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Safety reporting in laboratories isn't just about checking boxes—it's about creating fundamental change that protects everyone. In this candid conversation, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman tackle the uncomfortable reality that many lab professionals face: reporting systems exist, but fear of punishment keeps critical safety information hidden.

What happens when a laboratory culture punishes those who s...

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What can spiritual practices teach us about laboratory safety? In this thought-provoking discussion, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman draw unexpected parallels between religious observances like Lent and Ramadan and the discipline required for maintaining a safe laboratory environment.

We explore the challenging journey of behavioral change in laboratory settings, questioning how long it truly takes to transform ...

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Kickstart your year by aligning your beliefs with your behaviors in the lab. Discover the power of genuine commitment to safety as we, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, guide you through practical safety resolutions that go beyond mere words. We promise you'll learn how to effectively embody safety in your daily practices by replacing outdated habits with sustainable, healthier ones. Together, we'll explore the ...

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Unlock the secrets of aligning human psychology with laboratory safety protocols as Sean Kaufman and Dan Scungio unravel the intriguing parallels between Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the hierarchy of controls. Discover how addressing fundamental needs for air and water can be mirrored in engineering controls to create safer laboratory environments. As we journey through this discussion, we highlight the often ...

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How prepared are you mentally to handle a lab emergency? Join us as we unpack this crucial—but often overlooked—aspect of laboratory safety. In this riveting episode of the Lab Safety Gurus Podcast, we dive into the heart of psychological preparedness for lab workers. Dan Scungio shares his firsthand encounters with unexpected lab incidents, such as unknown source exposures and accidental pathogen contact. We discuss ...

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How do laboratories act as frontline warriors during health crises like COVID-19? Join us, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, as we explore the indispensable role these labs play in diagnosing diseases, guiding treatments, and ensuring public safety. Drawing from our own experiences and professional insights, we discuss the procedural challenges and emotional pressures faced by laboratory professionals, emphasizing the urg...

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What happens when unsafe practices become the norm in your lab? Join us as we reflect on the tragic Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and how it unveiled the concept of "normalized deviance" — where organizations become desensitized to risky behaviors. We share our own memories of that devastating day and draw parallels to everyday lab environments, stressing the grave dangers of neglecting personal protecti...

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Ever wondered how to handle that colleague who just doesn't seem to get it? On the latest episode of the Lab Safety Gurus Podcast, we promise to equip you with practical strategies and real-life anecdotes to tackle even the most challenging coworkers in your lab. From those who hog the spotlight to others who bend or break the rules, we break down various difficult personality types and explore the generational s...

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When it comes to laboratory safety, the smallest steps can have the biggest impact—discover how with our special guests, Sean Kaufman and Dan Scungio, as we unveil the Beaking Method for doffing gloves. Developed in response to the harrowing realities of lab-acquired infections and the stark lessons from GloGerm experiments, this episode is a deep dive into a technique that's reshaping safety protocols. Hear abou...

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Tired of snoozing through the same old lab safety spiel? Buckle up, because lab safety gurus Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman are here to shake up the status quo of blood-borne pathogen instruction. Get ready to transform your approach to lab safety as they lay out the raw truth behind the cookie-cutter compliance culture that's numbing the minds of lab professionals everywhere. By bringing our personal frustrations ...

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Uncover the hidden complexities of lab safety as we team up with Sean Kaufman and Dan Scungio to dissect the intersections of biosafety, psychological preparedness, and communication within the lab. When a laboratory's casual approach to separation leads to a heated encounter with OSHA, we're forced to question the balance between stringent regulations and practical risk management. Tune in to hear us tackle...

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When the ground shakes beneath a lab, every second counts. Join us, your Lab Safety Gurus, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, as we dissect the thrilling, yet essential topic of laboratory evacuations, sparked by New Jersey's unexpected seismic stir. Through vivid recollections of the Virginia earthquake, we'll bring you eye-opening insights on the necessity of robust evacuation strategies, including horizontal a...

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Are you equipped to face a 'man down' scenario in your lab? Ensuring your team's safety is paramount, and that's why we, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, are here to share essential strategies and firsthand accounts for navigating these high-stress situations. Our latest episode of the Lab Safety Gurus Podcast is a deep dive into the critical response protocols needed when seconds count. With stories ...

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Why do some scientists skirt the edge of safety in the pursuit of discovery? Join us, lab safety experts Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, as we unravel the complex psychology of risk-taking in the laboratory, examining how personal thresholds for danger can lead to a dicey dance with the potentially hazardous. Our discussion illuminates the mysterious force that pushes individuals to breach protocol, even when the risks ...

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Have you ever wondered how a sprinkle of positive reinforcement can ignite a rigorous safety culture in a laboratory? Prepare to be enlightened as your Lab Safety Gurus, Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman, unveil the pivotal role of accountability and compliance in fostering a dynamic lab environment. In our latest episode, we dissect the art of encouraging positive safety behaviors, where observation meets opportunity for ...

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Ever wondered what happens when you hire a cow to climb a tree? Join Dan Scungio and Sean Kaufman as we share our tales from the trenches of laboratory safety, revealing how mismatched hiring can throw a wrench in the gears of your lab's success. We're peeling back the layers on the onboarding process, offering you our top strategies to foster a safety culture that thrives. This isn't just about ticking...

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What defines a true leader in the high-stakes world of lab safety? Join us as we unravel this question with insights from my guest, the founder of the Leadership Institute for Biosafety Professionals. We tackle the nuanced roles of leadership in creating and maintaining a robust safety culture, and share personal experiences that highlight the intricate dance of juggling safety with other managerial responsibilities. ...

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