Sean Kaufman’s career is defined by his unique focus on the intersection of human behavior and infectious disease safety, aiming to create a “culture of safety” in high-risk environments. His work bridges the gap between traditional safety protocols (engineering controls, personal protective equipment) and the critical, often overlooked, human element.
 
The Philosophy of “Safer Behaviors”
 
Kaufman argues that a single inappropriate human behavior can negate even the most advanced safety safeguards. His consulting firm, Safer Behaviors, operationalizes this philosophy by:
 
  • Behavioral-Based Training: Developing programs for professionals working with infectious diseases in clinical and laboratory settings.
  • Risk Communication: Providing training on public health emergency risk communication, which includes managing misinformation and fostering public trust during crises.
  • Culture Change: Assisting organizations in shifting their workforce cultures towards a proactive, behavior-based safety approach.
  • Global Reach: Training thousands of professionals internationally in areas such as laboratory safety, clinical containment, and emergency response and preparedness.
Career Trajectory
 
  • San Diego State University: Kaufman began his public health career here, earning his MPH and serving as a Project Manager and Health Education Specialist.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): His tenure at the CDC included roles in the National Center for Infectious Diseases and the Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response. He was involved in major public health crises such as the Anthrax Attacks, SARS outbreak, and September 11th response, earning multiple Distinguished Service Awards for his contributions.
  • Emory University: He spent a decade at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, where he directed training programs for BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories, preparing individuals globally to work safely in high-containment settings.
  • International Consulting and Leadership: His expertise led him to manage and direct the staff treating the first two cases of Ebola in the United States,  assisted in the Ebola crisis response in Liberia and Nigeria in 2014, and he has provided training in numerous other countries including Jordan, Belgium, Mexico, Honduras, Qatar, UAE, Vietnam, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Malaysia, France, Thailand, Switzerland, and India.
Publications and Advocacy
His book, Prepare and Protect: Safer Behaviors in Laboratory and Clinical Settings (2020), is a key resource that blends didactic content with personal stories from infectious disease pioneers, highlighting real-world challenges and lessons learned in biosafety.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaufman became a prominent, and at times controversial, voice. He provided expert testimony in significant legal cases, including Grace Community Church v. County of Los Angeles and Daily Wire v. OSHA, arguing against universal lockdowns and mandates, advocating instead for evidence-based practices that prioritize individual and business rights. His advocacy in this area has been featured in documentaries such as The Essential Church.

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Sean Kaufman’s book, titled  Prepare and Protect: Safer Behaviors in Laboratories and Clinical Containment Settings, focuses on the crucial link between human behavior and infectious disease control in high-risk environments. Published in 2020, the book argues that even the best personal protective equipment (PPE), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and engineering controls can be compromised by a single inappropriate human action.

Key aspects and content of the book include:
 
  • Focus on Behavior:  The central theme is developing sustainable “culture of biosafety” by addressing the human behavioral risk factors associated with working with infectious agents.
  • Practical Guidance: It provides actionable strategies for professionals to create safety plans and training programs that effectively connect desired outcomes to specific behaviors, thereby motivating adherence to safety rules and fostering a community-wide safety mindset.
  • Real-World Accounts: The technical content is enhanced by personal anecdotes and case studies from experienced infectious disease pioneers, lab safety directors, trainers, and healthcare workers who have been directly impacted by biological hazards.

Key Topics: 

The book is organized into chapters that cover essential areas such as:

  • Understanding containment and biological risk mitigation.
  • Identifying human risk factors and standard operating behaviors.
  • Effective training strategies, including his “beaking method” for safe glove removal.
  • Emergency preparedness and response to biological risks.
  • Responsible leadership in fostering a safety culture.
  • Target Audience: The resource is intended for professionals and researchers who work with pathogenic microbes, including those in BSL-2 or higher laboratories, emergency departments, and those who oversee staff in these roles.
  • In essence, the book teaches readers how to move beyond simply having rules and equipment to truly embedding a philosophy of safety within an organization’s daily operations through behavioral change.