2019 Lecturer

Lecturer: Lawrence M. Gibbs, CIH, FAIHA

Lecture Title: Musings on a 40 Year Career in the Health, Safety and Environmental Management Profession

Lawrence M. Gibbs, CIH, FAIHA is Associate Vice-Provost Emeritus for Environmental Health and Safety at Stanford University in Stanford, California.  Before his retirement, he served as Associate Vice-Provost and was responsible for management of all safety, health, and environmental programs, including institutional emergency management.  Prior to that appointment, he held positions with similar responsibility at Yale University and at the University of Connecticut.

Mr. Gibbs began his career in the Peace Corps and then taught physics and chemistry in Boston Public Schools from 1971 through 1978. In 1976, he obtained a graduate degree in chemistry education from Boston University. He returned to the University of Michigan in 1978 and graduated with an MPH in Industrial Hygiene in 1981. He subsequently developed and directed occupational health and safety programs for the University of Connecticut and Yale University until 1992, when he moved to his current position at Stanford. In addition to his work at the universities, he has served as a consultant for industrial, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and government organizations. Mr. Gibbs has authored over 20 professional publications and co-authored two books.  He received his certification in Comprehensive Practice in 1984.

Mr. Gibbs first became involved with ACGIH^® in 1981. He served on the Board of Directors from 2006 through 2009 and as Chair from 2008 through 2009. Throughout his career Mr. Gibbs has been involved in professional association activities in ACGIH, American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the National Safety Council (NSC) and other organizations. As a member of AIHA, he co-founded the AIHA Laboratory Health and Safety Committee and chaired and served on many other technical committees. He has served on the boards of four professional health, safety and environmental organizations and is currently a member of the Board of Delegates of the National Safety Council.

Mr. Gibbs will present the Lee Lecture, entitled “Musings on a 40 Year Career in the Health, Safety and Environmental Management Profession” during AIHce 2019 on Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 101D of the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Lecture Abstract

Musings on a 40 Year Career in the Health, Safety and Environmental Management
Profession
Lawrence M. Gibbs, CIH, FAIHA

Extracting from over 40 years of experience in developing and leading environmental health and
safety (EH&S) programs in higher education and major academic research programs, including
involvement in many professional associations, the presentation will provide an overview of the
major events, issues and cultural changes that have driven EH&S program evolution during that
time. Included will be a review of where the profession has been, is currently, and musings and
prognostications for the future. The presentation will use case studies and stories to illustrate
various perspectives and viewpoints.