May 20, 2009

UEC Community Service Award Goes to Keith Klaus

The NSLS Users’ Executive Committee (UEC) awarded Keith Klaus, the NSLS Safety Engineer, with the 2009 UEC Community Service Award for outstanding service, innovation, and dedication to users of the NSLS.

Keith Klaus

Klaus has worked at the NSLS for about two years and at Brookhaven for about 10. He received his bachelor’s degree in geological sciences in 1994 from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his master’s degree in hydrogeology and MBA from Stony Brook University in 1997 and 2007, respectively. He first worked at Brookhaven for a year as a Hazardous Waste Technician and, after four years of geosciences-related work at outside companies, he rejoined the Laboratory’s Environmental Restoration Division as a hydrogeologist in 1999. In 2004, he became an Environmental Compliance Representative for multiple Brookhaven departments. He joined the NSLS in 2007 as Safety Engineer. In this role, Klaus is responsible for conducting the departmental Environmental, Safety, and Health inspection program. He also is in charge of the NSLS chemical management program and the NSLS Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Program.

The following are some statements made by users and staff members in support of his nomination:

“I can't say enough good things about Keith. A life raft in a stormy sea is what he is.”

“Keith is always there helping us to figure things out; for instance, the safety crisis of the day, unsafe step stools. Keith was at it first thing this morning, working on making the stools and platforms safe so users could continue their work.”

“He is truly concerned for users’ well being and I often see him just correcting something he thinks is not safe. I am so grateful for his presence on the experimental floor and if anyone deserves this award, it is Keith.”

“Keith is not seen as someone who merely performs a service or enforces regulations, but as someone who takes a cheerful ownership of the NSLS lab spaces and works tirelessly to help everyone ensure that safety and efficiency take priority.”

“It is a relief to NSLS users to know that they can rely on Keith’s help at any time to make these crowded, productive spaces the best they can be. Attention and good attitude are required to accomplish this in the way Keith does.”

“I would like to mention Keith’s talents in developing elegant solutions to the problem of handling and disposing of chemicals that are required for my experiment. He is able to work independently with minimum input from the scientists. He is also very patient with users and attentive to details.”

“Keith does a lot of ‘silent’ work and he makes even the bad news as painless as possible for us all.”

John Parise, NSLS UEC Chair, presented the award to Keith at the NSLS Users’ Meeting banquet on Tuesday, May 19. Keith received a $250 gift certificate and his name will be engraved on the plaque on display in the NSLS lobby.