GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY

Safety is a team effort that requires collaboration between Principal Investigators, laboratory staff, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and SBU administrators. Each has a specific role to play to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals working in labs, the general public and the environment. 

• Principal Investigators (PI) and lab personnel responsibilities

  Principal Investigators and Lab Supervisors
  Safety responsibilities for Principal Investigators and Lab Supervisors include:

  • Register lab with the EH&S Lab Registration system. Update registration information at least annually.
  • Know and implement the guidelines and procedures of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and other EH&S Policies. Include provisions for these policies in grant proposals.
  • Write specific operating procedures or protocols (see next drop down on this list) for handling and disposing of hazardous materials and equipment used in their laboratories. Ensure written procedures are understood and used by lab staff.
  • Train laboratory staff in these operating procedures and ensure the use of proper control measures. All safety training must be documented. The "New Lab Worker Checklist" can be used to document this training.
  • Conduct routine inspections of laboratories with their laboratory employees.
  • Ensure that all appropriate controls including fume hoods and safety equipment are available and in good working order in their laboratories.
  • Ensure that all incidents occurring in their laboratories are reported to EH&S and that a written Incident Report is filed.
  • Complete annual inventories of hazardous materials as required in their laboratories and provide them to EH&S.
  • Ensure laboratory employee access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other safety resources.
  • Hold lab staff accountable for all safety rules, including the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Comply with the requirements of University’s Environmental Health & Safety Policy.

  PI Responsibilities Handout

  Lab Safety Coordinator
  It is recommended that each lab group or department appoint someone as Laboratory Safety Coordinator. The Laboratory Safety Coordinator will assist with the implementation of the EH&S Laboratory Safety policies and assist in establishing a safe work environment by collaborating with EH&S, faculty, other researchers and lab personnel. 

• Hazard reviews and risk assessment

  Many types of hazards can be found in research laboratories throughout the University. These hazards can include, but not be limited to, chemicals, infectious biological agents, radiological materials, physical and mechanical hazards, and procedural hazards. Hazards may occur alone or in combination in any given laboratory. In order to work safely with these materials and ensure the safety of individuals, the public and the environment, Hazard Reviews/Risk Assessments need to be performed prior to beginning work in laboratories where these hazards may be present.
  
  What is a Hazard Review/Risk Assessment?

  • A Hazard Review/Risk Assessment is a systematic process that is used to identify and evaluate the potential hazards and risks involved with a procedure and to eliminate or minimize the risk of serious injury and damage.
  • A hazard is the way in which an object or a situation may cause harm. A hazard exists where an object, substance or situation has a built-in ability to cause an adverse effect. For example, it can be the intrinsic toxic properties of a chemical or a biological agent’s ability to cause disease in humans or animals.
  • Risk is the chance that an adverse effect will occur. Even if chemical, biological or radiological materials have hazardous properties, any risk to human health or environment is extremely low if the material is handled safely under controlled conditions. Risk assessment is a management tool to determine whether, how and in what circumstances, harm might be caused. In order to assess risk, both hazard and exposure must be considered. Risk to self, co-workers, laboratory, building or the university must be considered.

  Why Conduct a Hazard Review?

  • The OSHA Laboratory Standard requires that a hazard review be conducted, and written safety procedures be available when working with highly hazardous materials or processes.
  • A Hazard Review is used to determine the appropriate protective measures needed to be implemented before the procedure is conducted to avoid accidents and injury. It is also used to write the Safety Protocol for the procedure and should become part of the research plan.
  • Hazard reviews are conducted to prevent accidents and injuries and avoid legal liabilities that may result when all contributing factors are not fully considered, such as:
    • • No documented safety procedures
      • No specific training is conducted, or instructions given and documented
      • Out of date chemical inventory lists
      • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) not readily available
      • Chemical storage not segregated by hazard class
      • Chemical containers not labeled
      • Improper sharps disposal
      • Blocked aisles and congested workspaces
      • Prudent practices not followed or not enforced
      • Improper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
      • Improper use of safety equipment
      • Disabling or circumventing safety devices

  When Should I Conduct a Hazard Review?
  The University Chemical Hygiene Plan requires that any new procedure is subject to review, not only from a scientific standpoint, but also to assure that all safety considerations are in place prior to implementation. The Laboratory Director should review and give approval to proceed with a laboratory task whenever:

  1. There is a new procedure, process or test, even if it is similar to older practices.
  2. There is a change, substitution, or deletion of any of the ingredient chemicals in a procedure.
  3. There is a substantial change (25% or more) in the quantity of chemicals used.
  4. There is a failure of any of the equipment used in the process, especially such safeguards as fume hoods or clamp apparatus.
  5. There are unexpected test results, in which case a review of how the new result impacts safety practices must be made.
  6. When members of the laboratory staff become ill, suspect exposure, detect a chemical's odor, or otherwise suspect a failure of any safeguards.

  Hazard Review/Risk Assessment Resources
  Use these forms to help in conducting a hazard assessment for your procedures:

  • Chemical Hazard Operations
  • Chemical Hazard and Risk Evaluation Matrix
  • Biological Hazard Operations
  • Biological Risk Assessment
  • Radioactive Materials Hazard Operation
  • Machine Shop Risk Assessment

  Hazard review/risk assessment forms the basis for developing a Standard Operating Procedure (see drop down below).

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and appropriate laboratory attire

  Appropriate Laboratory Attire
  It is important to be properly dressed when working in a laboratory. Follow the guidelines below to ensure that your clothing covers your skin and protects you from spilled chemical, biological, or radioactive materials, falling objects, and other lab hazards.
  DO:

  • Always wear a shoe that completely covers the foot and protects your feet.
  • Always wear clothes that cover and protect your legs down to your ankles.

  DON'T:

  • Never wear open toe or open heel shoes such as sandals, flip-flops or clogs. Shoes made of porous materials provide only limited protection in a spill and should be avoided. High heeled shoes should not be worn in the lab.
  • Shorts, skirts and other clothing that does not cover your legs below the lab coat should NOT be worn.
  • Tip: On those hot summer days, bring long pants and closed toe shoes to change into after arriving at work. Change back to cooler clothes for the trip home. Remember that appropriate dress is the foundation to being properly prepared to work in the lab. Lab coats, gloves, safety glasses or goggles are also needed to ensure that you are prepared for any incidents. Additional personal protective equipment may be necessary as well and should be selected based on the hazards of your work. For more information view the Personal Protective Equipment page.
• Laboratory signs and labels

  Signs required in every lab
  

  Sign	Description	Link to Download
  Laboratory emergency information template	For your lab door. Includes space for emergency contact information and hazard warnings.	Download
  Laboratory emergency plan template	Includes evacuation and emergency response information.	Download
  No food or drink	Post to remind patrons that no food or drink is allowed in laboratory.	Download
  Emergency numbers	Location information and University Police Department contact information to post in case of an emergency.	Download
  Biosafety door signs	Laboratories that contain biohazardous materials should post a biohazard sign at the entry doorway. The sign should include the Biosafety Level, biohazards present, entry requirements, and precautions.	Biosafety Level 1 (Green) Biosafety Level 2 (Blue) Biosafety Level 3 (Red)
  Biohazard signs	Use for equipment that contains biohazardous materials or may be contaminated with biohazardous material.	Download
  No food storage sign	Use on refrigerators containing biohazardous materials, including blood samples.	Download
  Refrigerator sign	Use on refrigerators that are not "laboratory safe" for flammable liquid storage.	Download
  Refrigerator sign	Use on refrigerators containing chemicals.	Download
  Formalin or Formaldehyde	Use either label on samples that contain formalin or formaldehyde.	Label 1 Label 2
  Ethanol	Use on containers of 70% ethanol.	Download
  Ethanol	Use on containers of ethanol.	Download
  Dichloromethane/Methylene Chloride	Use on containers of Dichloromethane/Methylene Chloride.	Download
  Ethyl Acetate	Use on containers of Ethyl Acetate.	Download
  Hydrochloric Acid	Use on containers of Hydrochloric Acid.	Download
  Methanol	Use on containers of Methanol.	Download
  Unattended chemical reactions	Use to identify unattended chemical reactions.	Download

  Additional Links

  • Cornell University EH&S lab signage
  • Science Laboratory safety signs
  • Warning label generator
• Laboratory safety protocols / Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

  Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are detailed written instructions designed to ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials (e.g. biological, chemical, radiological), equipment, or operations.
  
  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standard requires SOPs relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals. Other regulatory programs may also require SOPs. An SOP outlines the safety requirements based on a hazard/risk assessment (see second drop down on this page) and ensures that everyone in the lab is aware of and understands the hazards, risks, and protective measures necessary for conducting the procedure safely.
  
  EH&S has provided three blank SOP templates to help you develop a safety protocol. You can choose one of these formats or create your own, provided it includes the required safety information. Additionally, we have included several SOPs that cover common and hazardous operations. While these templates offer a starting point, you may need to customize them to fit your specific needs. This effort is part of EH&S's ongoing commitment to providing SOP guidance, and our template collection will continue to expand to cover additional hazards.
  
  EH&S Safety Protocols

  • Heat sources and heating baths
  • Methyl Methacrylate handling and disposal
  • Sodium handling and disposal
  • Osmium Tetroxide
• Working alone in research labs

  Working alone, especially after hours, can be unsafe and should be avoided whenever possible. When it cannot be avoided, procedures to protect lab workers in the event of an emergency situation must be used. The Principal Investigator (PI) has the responsibility to ensure the safety of all lab workers in their laboratory, and after conducting a hazard review, can approve laboratory staff to work alone. Guidance is provided to develop a lab specific safety protocol for working alone. This policy applies to all work with hazardous materials (chemical, biological or radiological material) or hazardous equipment in research laboratories at Stony Brook University.
  
  The requirements are:
  High School Students: Never permitted to work alone in a research lab, even with non-hazardous materials. They must always have a mentor/supervisor present. Review the Minors Working with Hazardous Materials in Research Laboratories Policy for additional information, including the requirements for "Qualified Supervisor".
  Undergraduate Students: Never permitted to work alone with hazardous materials or equipment. Someone else with EH&S required safety training must be in the lab or adjacent to the lab and be able to check on their safety.
  Graduate Students, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Scientists, Technicians and Principal Investigators: These are considered full time laboratory workers, and laboratory training is integral to their professional training. They are permitted to work alone in a research laboratory after approval by the PI and following the lab's safety protocol for working alone.
  Clinical Students, including Medical Students, Residents and Clinical Fellows: Since their laboratory training is only a portion of their professional training and work intermittently in a research lab and have minimal laboratory experience, are not permitted to work alone in a research lab with hazardous materials. They must use the "buddy system". Lab workers in this category, who have previous laboratory experience or where the non-clinical education is the primary laboratory training and experience, are permitted to work alone in a research laboratory after approval by the PI and following the lab's safety protocol for working alone.
  
  The PI can use this form to document their approval for someone to work alone in the lab:

  • Laboratory Specific Working Alone Protocol Approval
  • Review the EH&S Policy Working Alone in Research Labs
    
    
• Minors in research labs

  Principal Investigators, Faculty, Mentors and Supervisors have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all Minors in research laboratories. In order to provide a safe work environment, the following shall apply:

  1. No one under 14 years old will be permitted to work in a research laboratory.
  2. Minors must be supervised at all times while in a laboratory.
  3. All Minors must have a signed parent/guardian consent form.
  4. Minors aged 14-15 years old are prohibited from working with certain highly hazardous materials (see Hazardous Material Restrictions below).

  Training checklist for Principal Investigators, Faculty, Mentors and Supervisors:

  • Supervisors and faculty/mentors must have completed all appropriate EH&S training before work begins. The Laboratory Supervisor Safety (ELS 017) class is required for anyone mentoring a Minor. Other EH&S classes are required for anyone working in a laboratory and are dependent on what hazardous materials they work with:
    • • Chemical Safety (ELS 002) [Required for anyone who works with chemicals]
      • Biological Safety (ELS 003) [Required for anyone who works with biological material]
      • Bloodborne Pathogens (EOS 004) [Required for anyone who works with human source material]
      • Hazardous Waste Disposal (ENV 001 & ENV 005) [Required for anyone who generates hazardous chemical waste or regulated medical waste]
      • Shipping of Dangerous Goods (EOS 016) [Required for anyone who transports, causes to be transported or ships hazardous materials, infectious and/or diagnostic specimens]

  See schedule and course material for other courses that may be required. Check your SOLAR training records to see what EH&S classes you have taken.

  Requirements Minor students must fulfill before beginning to work in a laboratory:

  • Minors must have EH&S training appropriate to their lab work before beginning work with hazardous materials. They can attend any of the regularly scheduled EH&S training or they can attend the EH&S classes specific to High School students scheduled at the beginning of the summer.
  • Obtain authorization for the Minor to work in your lab from your Department Chair or higher authority (e.g. Dean). This entire process is documented on the Stony Brook University Human Resources Volunteer Guidelines.
    • • Department creates a memo outlining the following: nature of volunteerism, expected duration, campus contact person overseeing volunteer (name and telephone number). Contact your VP Coordinator or Department Administrator for a copy of the Volunteer, Non-Salaried Agreement Letter.
      • Volunteer signs the Volunteer/Non-Salaried Agreement Letter, completes Demographic Form, and provides Social Security Number.
      • Submit required paperwork to the division's VP Coordinator/Dean's Office for processing. Note: This is also the paperwork that allows the Minor to receive a University ID Badge.
  • Obtain signed Parent/Guardian Consent Form, including Emergency Contact information. Keep this form in the laboratory.
  • Minors must obtain a University Visitor/Volunteer ID Badge and are required to have the badge with them at all times and may be asked to wear their University ID Badge.
  • Determine the hazardous materials that will be used by the Minor. Minors must not be allowed to handle certain highly hazardous materials (chemical, biological and radiological). Use this list when writing the Lab Safety Protocols.
  • Ensure written Lab Safety Protocols (see standard operating procedures drop down above), including use of hazardous materials, are developed and reviewed with the Minor.
  • Provide the Minor and Supervisor with all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and require that it is used.
  • Ensure that the Minor is directly supervised at all times by a qualified Supervisor. A qualified Supervisor is an employee of Stony Brook University and must be a Graduate Student (RA, TA, GA) or higher.
  • Hold the Supervisor and Minor accountable for all safety rules.
  • Notify EH&S of Faculty/PI, Supervisor and lab locations where Minors will be working.
  • Ensure all accidents are reported to EH&S using the Student Accident/Injury Report form.

  Hazardous materials restrictions for Minors
  Minors aged 14-15 years old are prohibited from working with:

  • Particularly Hazardous Substances
    • • acutely toxic
        • LD50 oral ≤50 mg/kg; LD50 contact ≤ 200 mg/kg or LC50 inhalation ≤ 200 ppm
      • carcinogen
        • Any substance that is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen or is listed under the category "known to be carcinogens" in the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) or is listed under Group 1 "carcinogenic to humans", Group 2A or 2B "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs (IARC). The current NTP and IARC lists can be found on the NIOSH web page "Occupational Cancer".
      • reproductive hazard (mutagen or teratogen) or other chemical restrictions
  • Biological material requiring BSL 2 or BSL 3 containment
    • • Exception: Human cells, tissue, and blood can be used as long as it is not known to be infectious. Minor must receive biological safety training and use BSL 2 work practices and procedures for handling human material.
  • Radioactive material (RAM) without prior RSO authorization
    • • If Minor is working in an Authorized Space, they must have Radiological Awareness training.
      • Minors may work with Radioactive Material (RAM) with authorization:
        • PI must request in writing permission from RSO. Request must list specific radioactive material that the Minor will use.
        •  Parent/Guardian must sign the specific RAM consent form.
        • Minor must complete the 4-hour Radiation Orientation prior to working with RAM.
        • Dosimetry may be required and is at the discretion of the RSO.
  • X-ray generating equipment
    • • Although a Minor is prohibited from directly operating X-ray generating equipment, they are permitted to observe the equipment being used by an Authorized User. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) permission and calculation of the potential exposure is required before the Minor is allowed to observe the equipment in use.
  • Nonhuman primates
  • Minors 16 years old and older that have demonstrated to the Faculty/Mentor a proficiency in techniques and an understanding of the hazards and risks of the material are permitted to work with Particularly Hazardous Substances and BSL 2 Biological Material.
    
    

  Related documents

  • Minors Working with Hazardous Materials in Research Laboratories Policy
  • Minors in Research Labs Checklist
    
    
• Machine shop safety

  Machine Shops have many tools that can be hazardous, including lathes, milling machines, table saws and drill presses. Department heads, Principal Investigators and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all employees, students and visitors work safely in machine shops or when working with any machine or tool that can cause injury. The safety requirements are described in the Machine Shop Safety Policy and include, but are not limited to, access control, training, and work rules and procedures.
  
  Before working with any equipment, it is important to conduct a hazard review to determine what safety methods must be used. This handout can be used to assist with the hazard review (second drop down on this page):

  • • • Machine Shop Risk Assessment

  All Machine Shops must be inspected for safety hazards. This handout can be used for the self-inspections:

  • • • Machine Shop Inspection Checklist

  Everyone working in a Machine Shop on campus must complete the EH&S EOS 029 Machine Shop Safety training.
  
  Students - Do you want to work in the machine shop?

  • Complete the EH&S on-line Safety Management System course: EOS 029 Machine Shop Safety.
  • Print the "Certification of Completion".
  • Print, review, and sign the "Machine Shop Safety Rules and Agreement".
  • Give both papers to the Shop Supervisor.
  • Attend the Shop Supervisor's training.
  • Always use the "buddy system"! Never work alone in the shop!