Laboratory Safety

Laboratory Safety inspects University laboratories to anticipate, recognize and control personnel exposures to workplace hazards. This section provides consulting services for laboratory safety concerns and manages the University Chemical Hygiene Plan.

In addition, Laboratory Safety ensures compliance with the University’s Laboratory Ventilation Policy and manages laboratory closeouts. If you suspect that a chemical fume hood in your laboratory is not operating properly, or if you are leaving the University or relocating your lab, please contact us.

Resources

General Resources

• OSHA Laboratory Safety Guidance
• Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Academic Institutions
• DCHAS Laboratory Risk Assessment (Video)
• Working in the Lab Alone (Video)
• ACS: Identifying and Evaluating Hazards in Research Laboratories
• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards, The National Academies Press 2011 Edition (free access online)

Safety Culture Resources

• Safe Science: Promoting a Culture of Safety in Academic Chemical Research (2014)
• APLU: A Guide to Implementing a Safety Culture in Our Universities
• Creating Safety Cultures in Academic Institutions
• Chemical safety education for the 21st century — Fostering safety information competency in chemists

Fact Sheets

• Preventing Cuts and Punctures in the Laboratory
• Ergonomics
• Noise
• Working with Small Animals