Laboratory
Environmental, Health & Safety (E,H&S) is committed to working with faculty and staff to ensure that campus laboratories are a safe place in which to work and learn. It is the responsibility of all who work or study in laboratories to do so in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
For a quick lookup, pick one of the areas from the list below:
- #Autoclaves
- #Chemical_Spills
- #Emergency_Procedures
- #Fume_Hoods
- #Hazard_Communication_Program
- #Hazard_Identification
- #Hazardous_Waste
- #Inspections
- #Lab_Attire_and_PPE
- #Laboratory_Construction_and_Renovation_Projects
- #Laboratory_Decommissioning
- #Laboratory_Registration_Chemical_Inventory
- #Laboratory_Safety
- #Minors_in_Labs
- #Radiation_Laser_Safety
- #Respiratory_Protection
Autoclaves
It is the supervisor’s responsibility to ensure his/her employees are trained before operating any autoclave unit and that procedural and instructional documents are followed. Personnel who use an autoclave must be trained to understand proper packaging, loading, labeling, and operation procedures.
For more information see Section 3- Equipment Safety in the Laboratory Safety Manual.
Chemical Spills
It is the responsibility of the faculty and lab instructors to know the characteristics of the chemicals they work with and to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and students in containing spills that occur.
Emergency Procedures
All laboratory accidents should be reported to E,H&S and the University Police. This includes accidents involving students, visitors, and employees.
Fume Hoods
Because the status of the fume hood can change within one-year, continuous air flow indicators are recommended. All fume hoods shall be equipped with air flow monitoring devices which will alert the user if there is a problem with air flow. For older hoods without air flow monitoring devices, a simple visible test to ensure flow into fume hoods and other ventilating devices is to tape a tissue to the hood and note its movement when the exhaust fan is turned on.
For more information on Laboratory Ventilation Equipment, refer to Section 2 of your Lab Safety Manual.
Hazard Communication Program
Is a written program for hazardous chemicals that complies with the Texas Hazard Communication Act (THCA). It requires the following:
Hazard Identification
An integral part of hazard communication is hazard identification. Everyone who works with hazardous chemicals should know how to read and interpret hazard information. Signs, labels, placards, and symbols alert employees to the known hazards in a location.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 Diamond in the illustration below is one method of identifying chemical hazards. NFPA uses a scale of 0 – 4 to rate each hazard, with 0 indicating “no hazard” and 4 indicating the most extreme hazard. The following is a detailed explanation of the NFPA hazard classification codes:
Hazardous Waste
Disposal of hazardous materials is regulated by various federal and state agencies. Laboratory waste very often includes hazardous chemical, biological, or radiological materials. Thus, proper disposal of laboratory waste is not only prudent, but also mandatory. Environmentally sound disposal methods prevent harm to the water, land, and air and by extension, to people as well. Proper disposal techniques also protect waste handlers from harm.
For more information, access the Hazardous Waste Management Program 2024 here.
Inspections
E,H, & S Responsibility
E,H&S is responsible for conducting unannounced safety or accident inspections in all campus laboratory facilities. Inspections are conducted annually and as needed or requested. Please be aware that federal, state, and local inspectors may also conduct unannounced inspections.
Provided below is more detailed information on some of those responsibilities.
Laboratory Construction and Renovation Projects
To ensure the safety of new and renovated laboratories, specific design and construction features are required by state and federal codes, all plans for design, construction, and Project Initiation Request (PIR) to laboratory facilities must be reviewed by Environmental, Health & Safety and Administrative Operations.
Laboratory Decommissioning
A decommissioning form is to be completed by the Principal Investigator (PI)/Responsible Person of the lab that is being decommissioned or by the designee. E,H&S will use the completed checklist during the laboratory decommissioning inspections to verify that all hazards have been removed from the laboratory and/or that ownership of remaining hazards has been appropriately transferred to another party. This process should be started at least three months, or as soon as possible, before vacating the chemical -use room/laboratory to allow ample time to dispose of all materials properly.
Laboratory Decommissioning form
Upon completion of successful decommissioning inspection by EH&S, you will receive a Laboratory Decommissioning Clearance Authorization.
Laboratory Registration/Chemical Inventory
If you occupy a laboratory, studio, or clinic where chemicals or other hazardous materials are used, you are required to complete this form annually. An automated email via Smartsheet will be sent out on March 15th and is due prior to May 15th of each year.
If you have not received an email, use this link to access the form.
Click the Chemical Inventory to download the excel spreadsheet.
Laboratory Safety
Refer to our Laboratory Safety Manual in the Origami and other Useful Resources tab.
Minors in Labs
24.01.08 Minors in Labs Regulation
This regulation does not apply to students enrolled in courses listed in a campus course catalog having a laboratory component, outreach programs or camps under the purview of System Regulation 24.01.06, Programs for Minors, or general accompanied tours.