Mission First. Safety Always: A Conversation with Andy Carew on Battelle's Safety Culture

In the dynamic world of Battelle, where innovation meets execution, safety stands as a steadfast guardian. We spoke with Andy Carew, Director of Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H), to discuss Battelle's guiding principle: "Mission First. Safety Always." This ethos ensures the well-being of employees and the integrity of facilities, and Andy has been pivotal in embedding safety into the very fabric of Battelle.

Q: Andy, can you tell us about your journey and role at Battelle?

I've been dedicated to ensuring safe operations at Battelle for nearly two decades. My career began as a science teacher on Long Island, NY, where I taught biology and chemistry. After leaving teaching, I transitioned into ES&H program management roles, eventually joining NiSource, a Fortune 500 energy company, as an Environmental, Safety and Health Manager. There, I spent twelve years overseeing safety for interstate natural gas pipeline operations covering the eastern United States. I then joined Battelle as a Safety and Health and Emergency Response Manager, where my team and I focused on refining and strengthening Battelle’s safety programs and culture. Later, as Director of ES&H, my role expanded to drive a culture of operational excellence across all ES&H functions.

Q: How has Battelle built a strong safety culture?

Building a safety culture at Battelle has been a collaborative effort. With the support of the senior leadership team and other levels of management, we have made great strides, especially in our complex laboratory operations. At Battelle, safety is not just a top-down approach. It is a top-down, bottom-up, meet-in-the-middle, we-are-all-in-this-together ethos. Staff engagement has been the key to our success and one of the best examples of that engagement is our Leader Safety Observation program, where leaders routinely visit staff in laboratories and other work areas to talk with staff one-on-one or in small groups about the nature of their research, and how they assess and mitigate risks to ensure safe operations. Where issues or challenges are identified, they are addressed immediately or through sustained response after the observation.

Q: What role do senior leadership and the whole organization play in safety?

Safety at Battelle is a holistic approach where managers are involved, employees are engaged and safety personnel provide technical support and direction. The tone is set at the top, where our CEO, Lou Von Thaer, and EVP of Applied Science and Technology, Matt Vaughan, support our safety program and set clear expectations on the safe conduct of operations. Everyone has a role to play and the ability to have their voice heard. We act on those voices, issues and concerns to ensure safe operations for all.

Q: What do you want our customers to know about Battelle's safety program?

"Mission First. Safety Always." is our North Star. It's our guiding principle and the standard for delivering excellence to our customers while ensuring safe and compliant operations. We don't separate safety from operations; they are intertwined. Our customers are very interested in our safety program, particularly in how it impacts the work they entrust to us. I want our customers to know that we will do everything we can to meet their mission needs and protect our staff members while meeting those needs. We fully assess the risks involved in what they're asking us to do, and we put controls in place to mitigate those risks to an acceptable level.

Q: Can you share some leadership insights on sustaining and extending our safety culture?

At Battelle, we take pride in our outstanding safety culture and are committed to strengthening it across every aspect of our work. Our Safe Conduct of Research principles guide this commitment, which shapes how we think, act and lead. We believe everyone owns safety, and we foster a culture where reporting potential risks is encouraged and expected. Hazards are identified and assessed for every task, and we embrace a questioning attitude that empowers staff to pause work when uncertainty arises, ensuring safety is never assumed. Continuous learning is essential, rooted in a deep respect for what can go wrong and a shared responsibility for the legacy we leave behind.

Battelle has a continuous improvement mentality embedded in our operations. In 2024, a comprehensive safety assessment identified strengths and areas for enhancement. To ensure clarity in roles, responsibilities and communication, our ES&H team evolved from a consulting role to an embedded partner. Safety is a shared endeavor, supported by enhanced communication systems that provide access to safety information and best practice sharing.

And in every decision and every action, we put people first, especially regarding safety.

Q: Any thoughts about your legacy?

As I approach retirement, I want my legacy to be one of sustained excellence and an unwavering commitment to safe operations that will continue to help guide Battelle in its mission to innovate and excel.

Interested in learning more about Battelle and our safety culture? Contact us today.