Disclaimer: This news item was originally posted on 2021-09-03 11:20:14. Its content may no longer be timely or accurate.

On Aug. 16, 2021, Tom Kohn joined the CALS Office of the Dean and Director as safety coordinator. In this role, he is responsible for developing, supporting, managing, and promoting comprehensive multidisciplinary safety programs to maintain a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors at CALS. This involves assisting departments and agricultural research stations with their safety programs; monitoring compliance; coordinating trainings; providing guidance; and helping to foster a strong culture of safety at CALS.

Tom comes to CALS from the UW–Madison College of Engineering, where he worked as a Safety Specialist. In that position, he helped to develop and lead a variety of safety-related programs and initiatives, including an effort to implement a comprehensive annual inspection program for the college. He also has over 20 years of professional experience working in the private sector, where he interacted with OSHA, EPA, DNR, DOT, ISO auditors, fire inspectors, Wisconsin State Inspectors and UW Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) personnel. He has obtained both the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and the Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMM) designations.

Tom reports to Doug Sabatke, assistant dean for facilities, planning, health and safety. Tom will also work closely with the associate dean for research and graduate programs, the director of CALS Agricultural Research Stations, the senior associate dean, department chairs, center directors, faculty and other college team members. He will serve as the CALS liaison to EHS and University Health Services.

Tom can be reached at tom.kohn@wisc.edu or (608) 264-2200.

The CALS safety coordinator position was previously held by Nick Genovese.