Safety For NonProfits (S4NP) volunteers recently partnered with Purdue University graduate students to provide pro bono safety services to two nonprofit organizations in Lafayette, Indiana. The projects were led by Mark Wilson, DC, PhD, a clinical assistant professor and faculty leader at Purdue University's School of Health Sciences/Biomedical Health Sciences, and Jennifer Lee, CSP, an ASSP member and S4NP volunteer.
Purdue has a joint ASSP/AIHA student chapter, with Wilson serving as its faculty advisor. The projects provided students with an opportunity to apply their safety knowledge while helping local organizations address workplace safety and health needs.
Helping a Community Theater
Three Purdue graduate students provided pro bono safety services to the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, a nonprofit community theater that has hosted hundreds of live performances. The team conducted an on-site safety assessment and developed a plan to address chemical and life safety concerns identified by theater representatives.
The students prepared a report and presented their findings to the theater's representatives. Their recommendations included improved chemical container storage practices, proper container labeling and the appropriate use of chemical-resistant gloves.
Members of the Purdue University team that completed the S4NP community theater safety project (from left): Andrew Nguyen, Professor Mark Wilson, PhD, Nisha Kataria and Ashley Hannah.
Supporting Animal Welfare
A second team of three Purdue graduate students provided pro bono safety services to the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette. The organization serves the Greater Lafayette community by caring for lost and stray animals and facilitating adoptions.
The team conducted an on-site safety assessment and developed a plan to address chemical use and ergonomic concerns identified by the humane society as priorities. Students Matthew Klein, Sara Albin Saad and Beth Wade prepared a report and shared their findings with the organization's leadership.
Recommendations included guidance on Globally Harmonized System (GHS)-compliant labeling for secondary containers, material handling in the organization's box trucks and the movement of bulk bags of animal food.
Connecting ASSP Members with Community Impact
ASSP and S4NP are in the second year of their partnership. Founded in 2020, S4NP is a nonprofit organization that provides pro bono environmental, health and safety services to nonprofit organizations, many of which have limited access to dedicated safety resources.
S4NP has grown to include more than 300 volunteers around the world. Its guiding principle is simple: “People shouldn't get hurt when volunteering and giving back.”
Both organizations benefited from the students' work, which provided practical recommendations to help address identified safety concerns. S4NP volunteers, including ASSP members, helped make these projects possible and demonstrated how safety professionals can apply their expertise to support their communities.
The projects also illustrate how ASSP members can get involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities through the organization's collaboration with S4NP, helping advance workplace safety and health beyond their own workplaces.
Learn more and get involved
Visit S4NP’s website to learn more about its mission, services and how you can get involved.
For questions or assistance with hazard assessments or training for nonprofits, contact Info@S4NP.org.
To request S4NP support, please complete the S4NP Request Service Form.
To become a S4NP volunteer at no cost, sign up S4NP Volunteer Sign Up.