After a well-deserved winter break, here are some lab safety reminders for the Spring 2025 semester! ❄ ⛄
1. Complete ALL assigned training!
- Your SciShield homepage will list all of your assigned training programs. Completing them gets you ready for a fresh start and helps the university stay compliant.
2. Laboratory Organization & Safety
- Lab housekeeping matters! Keep all safety equipment accessible and available exits clear for everyone.
- Your lab’s chemical inventory manager should review existing inventory and dispose of unwanted materials before lab work resumes. Organize lab benches to improve efficiency and reduce risk of cross-contamination or incidents.
- Learn about your safety equipment, and how lab personnel can prepare alarms, eyewash/safety showers, and fume hoods.
- Inspect chemicals and reagents for signs of degradation & check storage conditions and chemical segregation choices to ensure compliance.
3. Chemical Inventory Tips
- Review existing inventory and properly dispose of unwanted materials as hazardous waste.
- Inspect containers for signs of degradation.
- Check chemical segregation choices to ensure compliance.
- Your PI and lab safety manager must update the lab hazard every year. Help them get this task done!
4. Update SciShield Profile
- Your PI and lab safety manager must update the lab member list at the start of every semester, Provide helpful reminders and share these resources:
- How to add members: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3jN06fa9RU
- How to remove members: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQg1IxpY53E)
- Revisit your SOPs to ensure they reflect current best practices and regulatory guidelines. Make updates as needed, particularly for new processes or equipment.
- Ask your PI to distribute updated SOPs to all team members, and to provide training for and verification to all members conducting the procedure.
5. NFPA Door Signs
- Double-check door signs for emergency contact information and other essential details.
- Ensure that signs are visible and up to date.
