Michael O'Toole
- Title
- Professor Emeritus
- otoolem@erau.edu Email
- Department
- Dept of Human Factors, Safety and Social Sciences
- College
- College of Arts & Sciences
Office Hours
Tue & Thur - 1100 - 1400<br>Wed - 0900 - 1500<br>Mon & Wed by AppointmentAreas of Expertise
Safety Management Practices, Safety Culture/Climate, Safety Measurements, Safety Program Management, Safety and Health Regulatory requirements
Biography
Dr. O'Toole is a professor in the Department of Human Factors, Safety and Social Sciences.Education
- Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health: Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago
- M.S. - Master of Science in Technology: Industry and Technology Safety, Northern Illinois University
- M.A. - Master of Arts in Psychology: Management, Western Michigan University
- B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Management, Western Michigan University
Currently Teaching
- SFTY 691: Graduate Capstone Course
- SFTY 691C: Graduate Capstone Course
- SFTY 415: Human Reliability & Sfty Anyls
- SFTY 611: Indst'l Hygiene & Toxicology
- SFTY 426: System Safety Management
Courses Taught
Currently Teaching• SFTY 600
Research Projects
Publications
- Assessing Safety Culture: Lessons from the Aviation Industry Publications (2024)
- Assessing Safety Culture: Lessons from the Aviation Industry Pure Portfolio (2024)
- Implementing DEI in Aviation Education: Coping and Addressing Mental Health Concerns Publications (2022)
- Implementing DEI in Aviation Education: Coping and Addressing Mental Health Concerns Pure Portfolio (2022)
- Air Transportation: Actions to Improve Employee Safety Pure Portfolio (2017)
- Modeling Safety Behavior - Everybody Is Doing It Pure Portfolio (2016)
- Modeling safety behavior - Everybody is doing it Pure Portfolio (2016)
- The Effect of Regional Airline Attendance Policies on Pilot Self-Removal from Duty for Illness or Fatigue International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace (2015)
- The Effect of Regional Airline Attendance Policies on Pilot Self-Removal from Duty for Illness or Fatigue Pure Portfolio (2015)
- Leading Measures Pure Portfolio (2010)
- Lone workers Pure Portfolio (2003)
- The relationship between employees' perceptions of safety and organizational culture. Pure Portfolio (2002)
- Successful Safety Committees Pure Portfolio (1999)
Publications
Villarreal, E., Marcham, C. L., O’Toole, M. F., & Eltz, B. (2025), The Power of System Safety Techniques: Application of System Safety Analysis to Zoo Worker Disease Exposure Prevention. Professional Safety Journal. March, 24-34..
Gendi, M. Marcham, C. L., & O’Toole, M. F. (2024). Assessing Safety Culture – Lessons from the Aviation Industry. Professional Safety Journal. October, 26-34.
O’Toole, M.F., Szathmary, K.J., Thropp, J.E., & Beri, V.J., (Spring 2017) Choosing a Career Path – Why not Safety and Health? Identifying Factors that Influence Students’ Choices. Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research.
Friend, M.A., Stolzer, Alan, O’Toole, M.F. (2017) Employee Safety in the Air Transportation Industry. Professional Safety. Vol. 62, Issue 2, 28-31.
Freiwald, D., O’Toole, M., Smith, M.J. (2015). Modeling the Dimensions of Safety Culture. Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, 253-260.
Freiwald, D. and O’Toole, M. (2015). The Effect of Regional Airline Attendance Policies on Pilot Self-Removal from Duty for Illness or Fatigue. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, Vol. 2, No. 2.
O’Toole, M. and Nalbone, D. (2011). Employee Safety Perception Surveys: Key Steps in the Development and Analysis of Results. Professional Safety, June, 58-62
Blair, E. and O’Toole, M. (2010), Leading Measures for Safety Performance: Enhance Your Organizations Culture. Professional Safety, August, 29-34.
Larson, D. and O’Toole, M. F. (2005), Equipping the Safety Professional with Emergency Management Knowledge and Skills: The Emergency Management Certificate. Journal of Emergency Management, Jan/Feb, 51-54.
O’Toole, M. F. (2002). The relationship between employees’ perceptions of safety and management culture. Journal of Safety Research, 33, 231 - 243.
O’Toole, M. F. (2000) “Intranet Delivery of Safety Courses, Presented at the 4th Annual Safety Educators Conference. Proceedings, March.
O’Toole, M. F. (1999) Successful Safety Committees: Participation not Legislation, Journal of Safety Research, 30, 39 - 65.
Professional Experience
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Professor Emeritus of Aerospace and Occupational Safety & Program Coordinator 2009 – 2021
O’Toole & Associates
Owner, 1996 – Present
Aggregate Industries – US
Corporate Safety Director – April 2006 – June 2008
Purdue University Calumet
Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Supervision, 2002 - 2006
Assistant Professor of Organizational Leadership and Supervision, 1997 - 2002
USG Corporation
Director, Regulatory Compliance 1993-1996
Director, Occupational Health and Safety 1991-1993
Manager, Occupational Health and Safety 1988-1990
Manager, Occupational Safety 1986-1987
Safety Manager 1984 -1985
Human Resources Manager 1977-1983
Memberships and Credentials
Safety Management Specialist (SMS)
Member of American Society of Safety Professionals
Awards, Honors and Recognitions
ASSE President’s Award – Student Task Force – 2014
- Nominated – William Tarrants Safety Educator of the Year – ASSE - 2011
- Nominated – William Tarrants Safety Educator of the Year – ASSE – 2006
- Nominated – Teacher of the Year Purdue University Calumet – 2006
- Safety Professional of the Year – ASSE Region VII – 2004-2005
- Outstanding Service – ASSE Region VII – 2003 - 04
- Safety Professional of the Year – ASSE Academics Practice Specialty – 2003 - 04
- Safety Professional of the Year – ASSE Greater Calumet Chapter – 2003 – 04
Nominated for Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2002