UF Rinker School Students Participate in Inaugural Asbestos Lab Experience
Undergraduate students from the University of Florida Rinker School of Construction Management recently had the opportunity to participate in UF TREEO’s inaugural Asbestos Lab. The lab was designed to supplement learning in their degree programs by taking a deeper dive into the field of asbestos abatement.
The lab began with a classroom session, where students learned about the history of asbestos, health effects of exposure, and regulations from Instructor Paul Zak. This was followed by a hands-on training experience, where students were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) by the TREEO Center to ensure proper safety protocols while gaining hands-on experience in a simulated asbestos abatement job site. The training session allowed students to engage with real-world scenarios, equipping them with exposure to abatement practices that will be valuable as they enter the workforce.
Professor Andrew Wehle, Ph.D. STSC, explains that “The safety training experience provided by TREEO is unlike anything else in the industry—it’s not only comprehensive and hands-on, but also uniquely tailored to real-world challenges. It transforms safety from an overused standard checklist into a better-informed safety culture, equipping individuals with insights and actionable skills vital to proper construction practice.”
This immersive training experience exemplifies the importance of applied learning in the construction industry, providing students with invaluable, real-world exposure to the skills and techniques they will need throughout their careers. It not only supplements the academic instruction these students are receiving through their degree program but also bridges the gap between theory and practice.
Josie Blohm, a graduate student at the Rinker School of Construction Management, emphasizes the importance of asbestos training in equipping students to effectively manage risks while fostering empathy for those working with asbestos:
“Asbestos training is beneficial for students so that they know how to better mitigate the risks associated with workers handling asbestos,” said Blohm. “It makes students become better managers of workers handling asbestos, even making them more empathetic towards asbestos workers.”
By offering hands-on, interactive learning opportunities, the TREEO Center provides a safe environment where students can build practical experience in a controlled setting. This type of experiential learning is essential for preparing future construction project managers to lead crews effectively and navigate the complexities of asbestos abatement. By gaining hands-on experience, students are better equipped to understand safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and the real-world challenges they’ll face on job sites. Through opportunities like this, the TREEO Center plays a vital role in developing confident, knowledgeable leaders ready to manage teams and ensure safe, compliant construction practices in a demanding industry.
Interested in learning more about asbestos training? Contact Melissa Hamilton at Melissajhamilton@treeo.ufl.edu or 352-294-3879. You can also view our current asbestos course offerings here.
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