Meet BLR’s in-house team of EHS experts
MEET BLR’S EHS EXPERTS
Timothy P. Fagan, Managing Editor
Timothy P. Fagan is Managing Editor for BLR’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) publications, focusing primarily on air quality, chemical management, and hazard communication-related topics. Before joining BLR, Mr. Fagan worked as an environmental consultant responsible for hazardous chemical reporting and air quality permitting and compliance for a broad range of industries in both the private and public sectors. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University, a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, and a graduate certificate in Environmental Health and Safety from Central Connecticut State University.
Areas of expertise–Hazard communication, SDS, process safety management, air contaminants, ventilation, air permitting, hazardous air pollutants, risk management, and refrigerants/ODS.
Articles–Everyday actions to simplify EPA inspections, When will you become the target of an OSHA inspection?, Contractor safety at PSM facilities, Realizing the benefits of safety plans, Protecting the workforce from PFAS, EPCRA & e-Disclosure: Tier II & TRI violations, and Keeping the workplace safe from chemical hazards
Laura J. Brody, Senior Editor
Laura J. Brody is a Senior Editor for BLR’s Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) publications, focusing on environmental topics such as water permitting and spill prevention, as well as safety topics such as fire prevention and chemical hazards. Before joining BLR, Ms. Brody served as an Environmental Compliance Manager for a manufacturing facility in New Jersey, and previously as an Occupational Health & Safety Manager for the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Ursinus College and a Master of Environmental Studies degree with a concentration in Environmental Health from the University of Pennsylvania.
Areas of expertise–Chemical hazards, NPDES, spill prevention, fire prevention, and heat and cold stress.
Articles–Title V permit revisions: do you need to apply?, Q&A: Electrical equipment safety in the workspace, Portable fire extinguishers in the workplace-where should they be placed? and It’s getting hot in here – OSHA heat standard on the horizon
Elizabeth M. Dickinson, J.D., Senior Legal Editor
Elizabeth M. Dickinson, J.D., is a Senior Legal Editor for BLR’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) publications, focusing on environmental topics such as hazardous waste generators, hazmat transportation, and universal waste and safety topics that include emergency preparedness, silica, and HAZWOPER. Before joining BLR, Ms. Dickinson was an associate in the law firm Cummings & Lockwood and an attorney at Aetna Life and Casualty, both in Hartford, Connecticut. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University and her Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she was an Articles Editor of the Connecticut Law Review. Ms. Dickinson is licensed to practice law in Connecticut.
Areas of expertise–Emergency preparedness, flammable liquids, HAZWOPER, combustible dust, silica (general industry), silica (construction), hazardous waste generators, RCRA, universal wastes, and used oil management.
Articles–Reducing silica exposure on the job, The 7 essentials elements of an emergency action plan, Essential steps for safely responding to natural disasters and Managing drums and containers at HAZWOPER sites: Best practices
Amanda S. Lavelle, Senior Editor
Amanda S. Lavelle is a Senior Editor for BLR’s Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) publications focusing on safety topics such as first aid, laboratory safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and workplace violence. Ms. Lavelle coordinates the development and maintenance of all EHS training content for the BLR websites and other training products to help businesses comply with OSHA, EPA, and DOT rules. Before joining BLR, Ms. Lavelle was a technical writer at a healthcare products manufacturer. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a specialization in Professional Writing and Technical Communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Areas of expertise–Audits, first aid, laboratory safety, new employee orientation, PPE, training, and workplace violence.
Articles–Safety self-audits prevent accidents and protect employees, How to prevent back injuries in the workplace, Responding to an active shooter in the workplace, Waste reduction in the office and Worker fatigue: A hazard you can’t afford to ignore
Annie F. Richardson, Senior Editor
Annie F. Richardson is a Senior Editor for BLR’s Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) publications focusing on safety topics such as equipment and process safety, OSHA recordkeeping and reporting, job hazard analyses, incident investigation, and other industrial safety topics. Before BLR, Ms. Richardson worked in the oil and gas, manufacturing, and retail industries, and as an industrial safety consultant. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from North Carolina Central University, and is a certified OSHA outreach trainer.
Areas of expertise–Hazard and risk assessments, incident and accident investigation, job hazard analysis, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), powered industrial truck (forklift), US DOT commercial driver’s safety, and EPA aboveground and underground storage tanks.
Articles–Best practices for effective incident investigations
Sarah F. Davis, Associate Editor
Sarah Fisher Davis is an Associate Editor for BLR’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) publications, focusing on safety topics such as health, ergonomics, ventilation, and wellness, as well as general environmental enforcement. Ms. Davis oversees news-related operations, including producing, editing, and updating news content for the EHS Hero website. Before BLR, Ms. Davis worked as an editing consultant and college instructor, writing and teaching about environmental health, toxicants, environmental justice, and climate change. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History Education and English from Gardner-Webb University and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Expected in December 2024, her Doctor of Philosophy degree in English – with an Environmental Humanities specialization – is from Stony Brook University, where Ms. Davis also earned graduate certificates in Writing and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.
Areas of expertise–Health, wellness, ergonomics, office safety, back safety, painting and spraying, dipping and coating, and housekeeping.
