Overview:
We evaluated and redesigned the LSU EHS website to make it easier for students and researchers to report emergencies and access critical safety protocols. The existing system was outdated and unintuitive, presenting serious usability and safety concerns. Our new prototype reduced emergency report time by over 85%, improved clarity, and increased user trust in critical environments.
My role:
- UX Research & Survey Design
- Competitive Benchmarking
- Wireframing & Prototyping (Hi-Fi)
- Usability Testing & Data Analysis
- Interface Iteration Based on User Feedback
Context:
The EHS website serves thousands of students and faculty working with hazardous materials at LSU. However, the website lacked intuitive pathways for reporting incidents, raising both usability and security concerns. As research funding and lab activity at LSU increase, the need for a safer, faster, and more accessible EHS platform became urgent.
Problem:
Users were struggling to report emergencies due to:
- Poor navigation structure
- No emergency button or hotline visible on the homepage
- Multiple steps required to reach key forms
- Outdated, non-anonymous waste disposal request system
These issues increased cognitive load and risk in real emergency situations, particularly for users under stress.
Solution:
We conducted a user-centered redesign focused on:
- Fast, visible emergency access (1-click from homepage)
- Privacy-first architecture for sensitive information
- Streamlined interface with fewer steps
- Mobile-friendly and responsive layout
- Accessibility considerations (simple language, large buttons, contrast)
Framing the Research with UX Principles:
In order to ensure that the research and the recommendations in this study were aligned with established User Experience (UX) Principles, the following principles were used:
- Jakob Nielsen’s Usability Heuristics guided the evaluation and analysis:
- Recognition rather than recall: Users had to remember the location of key resources due to inconsistent navigation and labeling, which increased cognitive load.
- Match between system and the real world: Participants found that certain terminologies used on the site (e.g., “Hazard Hotline”) were not intuitive or aligned with how users naturally think about workplace safety scenarios. Hazard Hotline leads to a form that you can fill to report the emergency.
- The study followed a User-Centered Design (UCD) framework, prioritizing direct input from real users. This approach ensured that design decisions were informed by actual user behavior, expectations, and needs.
- Accessibility considerations were also included, with attention to contrast, readability, and clarity to support a broad range of users, including those with disabilities.
Process:
Preliminary Research
- A survey (n=21) identified pain points with emergency reporting and hazardous waste pickup.
- Compared LSU’s EHS site to those at peer institutions (e.g., Harvard, Johns Hopkins University, etc.) to identify best practices.
- Developed user personas: student workers, research assistants, and lab assistants, all with diverse digital fluency and device contexts.
Key Insights:
- Users wanted fewer clicks, clearer labels, and a direct call-to-action for emergencies.
- Privacy was a significant concern — the old system exposed hazardous material info to anyone with an LSUID
Usability Testing:
- Participants completed the same emergency task using both the existing and the new prototype.
- Metrics: task time, stress levels, and user preference.
- Average task time dropped from ~960 sec to ~130 sec using the new site — an 86% reduction.
- All users preferred the new design in post-test surveys.
User Journey:
Current website:
Prototype website:
Final Prototype Features
- Emergency button directly on homepage
- Three-step reporting flow: Homepage → Form → Confirmation
- Anonymous reporting options
- Role-based access control for sensitive waste info
- Clean, mobile-optimized UI with quick links and round buttons (based on LSU branding)
Current EHS Website
Mockup Home Page
Results:
Key Findings:
- 85%+ reduction in emergency report time
- 100% of users preferred the redesigned experience
- Incorporated into course showcase for usability best practices
- The design aligns with LSU’s broader safety, and research growth goals and complies with the newer standardized template (Fierce Template)
Reflection:
In safety-critical systems, speed and clarity are more than UX goals; they’re ethical imperatives. This project reinforced how even small usability changes can create massive real-world impact, especially under pressure. We designed not just for usability but for ease of mind and accessibility in hazardous environments.