Safety Committee

Charter

Serves as a primary resource for gathering and disseminating "example practices" in safety within zoos and aquariums, including through the AZA Professional Development Committee.
Collaborates with AZA’s Government Affairs Committee to be a resource with regard to federal OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations and related state/local regulations governing workplace safety, transportation of animals and people, and safe chemical management as it pertains to zoological parks and aquariums.
Addresses emerging safety issues facing AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and makes recommendations to the AZA Board and Accreditation Commission about same.
Works with AZA staff and legal counsel to develop method for gathering data from member zoos/aquariums with regard to potential hazards, risk management, safety incidents, and emergency preparedness to evaluate trends and recommend changes in best practices and professional development/training.
Confidentially reviews major incident investigations by AZA Accreditation Commission as requested, and provides feedback to Accreditation on findings, proposed controls and any trends.

Chair
Maria Gallegos, Houston Zoo

Vice-Chairs
Shanna Simpson, Topeka Zoo

Members
Amber Acord, Akron Zoological Park
Michael Barnes, Zoo Miami
Kelly Cox, Zoo Knoxville
Lynn Cox, Detroit Zoo
Jilian Fazio, Turtle Back Zoo
Adam Fink, Oakland Zoo
Betsy Hall, Museum of Life and Science
Cecile Halliwill, Audubon Zoo
Jamie Huber, Louisville Zoological Garden
Kathryn Juliano, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Jeffrey Landry, Utah's Hogle Zoo
Katherine Leighty, Disney's Animal Kingdom
T Dan Marsh, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Domini Montgomery, Saint Louis Zoo
Lorena Muro, California Science Center
Christine Nottage, SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
David Ruhl, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Tim Sampson, John Ball Zoo
Patrick Schlemmer, San Francisco Zoological Gardens
Jason Witmer, Palm Beach Zoo
Joanna Zazzali, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Advisors
Rick Holzworth, Palm Beach Zoo
Melissa Lewkowich, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Thomas Meehan, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Ashley Rudy, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Sue Tygielski, Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch
Patricia Waickman, Akron Zoological Park

Board Liaison
Eric Rose, Herschend Family Entertainment

AZA Staff Liaisons
Cheri Bermudez
Jack Keeney