Who’s who at HSE: Luke Price
18 January 2022
Luke Price is the U of A's Hazardous Materials Advisor
What's your role at the U of A?
As the Hazardous Materials Advisor, I'm involved in a range of projects related to building materials and hazardous waste. At the moment, I'm overseeing The Chemical Round-Up, a unique, short-term opportunity for the U of A community to get rid of high-hazard chemicals that are old or unused. These are the chemicals that can cause serious injury and property damage if we leave them sitting around. So far there's been a good response but we can do better! For anyone reading this -- I challenge you to have a thorough look at all the storage spaces in your laboratories. Open drawers, check the backs and tops of shelves, look in places that we might miss during an inspection. This is a university-wide collaboration and we need everyone's help.
What else have you done on campus?
I've been on campus since 1987 when I got my first job at the Faculty Club (now known as the University Club). As a waiter and eventually a bartender, I caught snippets of so many great conversations between U of A doctors, lawyers, scientists, historians, ranchers, musicians … you name it! I learned to appreciate different points of view and even more so, the art of conversation.
I also spent 15 years in medical research at the U of A before starting with Health, Safety and Environment as a Safety Advisor in 2015. My previous experience has been helpful during laboratory inspections; I’m well versed in all the things that can go wrong in a lab, and have plenty of stories to share!
What do you like best about working at the U of A?
The people. Being at the U of A for such a long time has given me a large circle of friends on campus. Hallway reunions and spontaneous coffee breaks can often be the highlight of a busy week and I look forward to when we can all hang out again.
If you could be anywhere, right this minute, where would you be?
I would be at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico with my beautiful wife … and we would make sure to call the kids every day. Ha!
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I'm a total pool shark! Meet me at the University Club and I'll give you a lesson!
Learn more about The Chemical Round-Up here or contact hse.info@ualberta.ca.