Employee Spotlight: Danielle Best, Ensuring Occupational Safety at the U of A

Rachel Gerner

As the campus safety officer, Danielle Best is instrumental in developing and maintaining a comprehensive safety management system.

Danielle Best can easily define her role: "I help keep students, faculty, staff and visitors safe so they can enjoy everything the university has to offer. Safety has a role in education, and safety education has a role at the University of Arkansas."

Best is a seasoned safety professional who has worked across the U.S. in Rhode Island, Hawaii and Alaska helping organizations implement workplace safety before she was recruited to work at the university in 2019. As the campus safety officer, Best is instrumental in developing and maintaining a comprehensive safety management system. One of her primary responsibilities includes the development, implementation and management of occupational safety procedures, such as the Hazard Communication Program.

"While research labs obviously deal with small amounts of very hazardous materials under the Chemical Hygiene Plan; shops and studios have their own, often overlooked, hazardous materials, such as fuels, cleaning agents, etc., and we address them under the Hazard Communication Program," Best explained. "All employees and students who work with hazardous chemicals need to be trained how to safely use these materials."

Best said the School of Art, housed in the new, transformational Windgate Art and Design District, is another example of where safety training can be underestimated: "Not everyone realizes the importance of safety when creating art. Many artists use fire, cutting and welding tools, as well as hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. Those tools and materials need to be properly stored, and even though the creative process can be free-form and messy, actually because it's free-form and messy, safety needs to be a part of it."

In addition to her program responsibilities, Best actively responds to safety assessment requests and workplace accident reports, working with her team to promptly address potential hazards or concerns. She meticulously tracks safety trends and identifies areas for improvement, guiding the university toward an increasingly proactive approach to safety. Best's efforts extend beyond her individual role with Facilities Management, as she also facilitates the Health & Occupational Safety Committee. The committee is composed of members representing various departments across campus and works together to ensure a safe and secure working environment.

Best's dedication to serving students, faculty and staff stems from her belief that safety plays a crucial role in education and research. She emphasizes the need for safe work practices in higher education, especially when engaging in building a top-tier research institute.

"Even the term 'cutting-edge research' shows you how dangerous the work can be — it's called cutting-edge because employees are taking risks in their fields of expertise," Best said. "My role is to help people make an intentional assessment and acceptance of risk, as well as challenge assumptions of what is safe."

Best envisions a top-tier research institute where safety is seamlessly integrated into every department and group on campus. Her excitement for this integration and the opportunity to lead the way in developing innovative safety practices fuels her passion for her work.

Best's dedication to the U of A goes beyond her responsibilities as a campus safety officer. She cites the vibrant atmosphere of continued learning, the engagement of the employees and the support from her department colleagues as reasons for choosing the university as her employer. Being part of a network of people who share a common goal gives Best a greater sense of purpose in her work.

Best said she appreciates the competitive salary offered by the university that aligns with the area's cost of living. She recognizes the university's efforts to improve compensation for all employees, acknowledging the importance of valuing personnel at all levels. The benefits package is another aspect that Best values, including a Health Savings Account (HSA) plan with low premiums, a generous employer match for the 403(b)-retirement plan, paid sick time and access to the Employee Assistance Program. The ample vacation accrual, holidays and the week off for the December holidays further contribute to Best's satisfaction with her employment.

With her expertise, dedication and commitment to continuous improvement, Best plays a vital role in creating a culture of safety within the university community. Through her efforts, she is not only keeping people safe but also advocating for the recognition and appreciation of employees at all levels. Best's unwavering dedication to serving students, faculty and staff makes her a true asset to the U of A.

About the Employee Spotlight Series: The employee spotlight series highlights U of A faculty and staff members, the impact they have on campus and the community more broadly, and what makes the university an employer of choice for them individually. Each U of A employee plays a critical role in advancing the 150 Forward strategic priorities: advancing student success, achieving research excellence and enhancing the university's status as an employer of choice. If you have a recommendation of an employee to interview, contact Rachel Gerner at rgerner@uark.edu.