Overview
The Office of Academic and Research Safety (OARS) provides expert guidance, resources and training to support PIs, departments and colleges in providing safe labs for learning, teaching and research.
The Laboratory Safety Program partners with the Northeastern University community to:
- Providing research safety training programs
- Establishing and maintaining best safety management practices
- Supporting principal investigators, and academic administrators to comply with federal, state, and local regulations
Links
Key Page and Resource Links
Factsheets, Labels and Forms.
Need another resource? Contact our Office.
Form
Hazardous Chemical Registration Form
Contact OARS for assistance with this form.
Form
Laboratory Decommissioning Procedures/Form 2023
Contact our office to discuss the Laboratory Decommissioning process.
Factsheet
Hydrofluoric Acid
Factsheet
Venting Flammable Storage Cabinets
Factsheet
Safety Precautions When Using 3D Printers
Guide
Lab Safety Guide – Emergency Eyewashes and Safety Showers
Factsheet
Peroxidizable Compounds
Factsheet
Proper Handling of Cryogenic Liquids
Factsheet
Proper Disposal of Ethidium Bromide
Factsheet
Methylene Chloride (DCM) Use Guidance
Resources
Chemical Hygiene Plan
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A factsheet covering hazards and emergency responses for working with hydrofluoric acid.
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Lab Level Peroxide Former SOP Coming soon
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Peroxide Forming Chemicals Handout Coming soon
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Chemical Management
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Safety information on the use, handling, and disposal of sodium hypochlorite (bleach), including its hazards, required PPE, and guidance on safe dilution and disinfection practices. |
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Chemical Segregation and Storage Table A reference table highlighting important chemical segregation guidelines. Adapted from Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, National Research Council, 1995, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Boston University Environmental Health & Safety. |
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Guidelines on the storage and transport of compressed gas cylinders, including additional resources such as a guide on cylinder regulators. |
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A factsheet explaining how to handle cryogens and the associated hazards. |
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Management of Unwanted Gas Cylinders A factsheet explaining the purchasing, returns, and waste disposal processes for compressed gas cylinders. As a user of compressed gases, you have the responsibility to minimize the amount of gas managed as hazardous waste. |
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Unknown Chemicals Management Factsheet Guidelines for managing unlabeled or unidentified chemicals in the laboratory, including best practices for labeling, inventory control, and coordinating analysis/disposal of unknowns with the vendor. |
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Venting Flammable Storage Cabinets A factsheet explaining the principles and design of venting a flammable chemical storage cabinet. |
Emergency Eyewashes & Safety Showers
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Lab Safety Guide: Emergency Eyewashes and Safety Showers A guide on eyewashes and safety showers, including their maintenance and weekly inspection and flushing logs.
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Safety Shower and Eyewash Poster Coming soon |
Emergency Preparedness
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A factsheet explaining ethidium bromide (EtBr) waste handling, spill clean-ups, exposure response, and chemical deactivation.
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First Aid Kits in Academic Laboratories Factsheet A factsheet outlining requirements for first-aid kits in academic labs, including their placement, contents, maintenance, and responsibilities for lab personnel.
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FAQs regarding trainings offered by OARS.
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Lab Exposure/Emergency Response Sticker A label with basic steps for emergency response, including procedures for lab exposure to chemicals. This should be prominently visible in your lab. |
Fire Safety
Fume Hoods
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Unattended Experiments Factsheet A factsheet containing information on how to perform hazard analysis on an unattended reaction. This page includes the unattended reaction form which must be filled out and posted near the experiment.
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Biological Safety Cabinet Program Webpage An overview of how biosafety cabinets work, and how to schedule certification and maintenance.
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Guidelines for the use of fume hoods, including information on maintenance and certification.
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SciShield Door Signs
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A step by step guide on the door sign creation process within SciShield.
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SciShield Door Sign Knowledge Base Please log in to your SciShield account before opening this link! Otherwise it will lead you to the general web page.
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SciShield Lab Profiles and Chemical Inventory
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Chemical Inventory Superuser Workshop Video (2024/02/15)
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SciShield ChemTracker Knowledge Base Please log in to your SciShield account before opening this link! Otherwise it will lead you to the general web page.
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SciShield ChemTracker Chemical Inventory Requirements
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Waste Management
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Waste Disposal Matrix Coming soon
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"Hazardous Waste Management": Please log in to your SciShield account before opening this link!
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SciShield Hazardous Waste Knowledge Base Please log in to your SciShield account before opening this link! Otherwise it will lead you to the general web page.
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Satellite Accumulation Area Sign
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Use this tool developed by Harvard EH&S to find common chemical wastes and waste mixtures generated by lab processes.
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Satellite Accumulation Area Guidance Coming soon
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Hazardous Waste Lists and Characteristic Waste
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Work Orders
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Lab Work Order Checklist Coming soon |
Contact Lab Safety
Email: labsafety@northeastern.edu
Phone: 617.373.2769