Laboratory

The EH&S Laboratory Safety program helps researchers, lab managers, and supporting lab staff establish a safe work environment and maintain compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.

The program is managed by a team of skilled professionals that provide guidance and oversight to research staff in the following areas:

• Use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials
• Research proposal safety reviews
• Hazard assessments
• Lab equipment certifications
• Development of specific laboratory safety programs
• New lab walkthroughs/consultations
• Special hazard materials/equipment approvals

For more information, please contact the Lab Safety Team members or send an email to ehs@fiu.edu

Documents & Forms:

• Emergency Incident/Injury Procedures Template 
  • Download and personalize; information provided is a minimum and we encourage you to add information to suit your workspace/area needs and procedures.
• Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines for Lab Areas
• Dry Ice Usage Guidelines
• Dry Ice Safety Quick Guide
• Lab Glassware Disposal Guidelines
• Fume Hood Use Guidelines
• Protective Glove Guidelines
• Emergency Shutdown Guidelines
• New P.I. Safety Compliance Guide (Fillable Microsoft Word Version) or (PDF Version)
• Laboratory Closeout Activity Checklist

Links:

• OSHA Lab Safety Standard

Event References:

• 2022.06.16 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2021.02.10 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2020.11.18 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2020.11.10 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2020.11.04 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2020.10.28 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2020.10.21 - Lab Safety Seminar Video (FIU credentials required for access)
• 2018 Roundtable Summary 

Emergency Signage

The EH&S Emergency Signage Program is a mandatory initiative that ensures FIU is compliant with the GHS, NFPA, and Hazard Communication regulatory requirements. The signage displays a primary and alternate contact for the space, special hazard pictograms, GHS pictograms, PPE pictograms, and important emergency numbers.

Please follow this link to access the online Qualtrics survey. Once you have completed the survey, EH&S will generate the signage and deliver it to your area.

NOTE: One sign per lab space. You cannot combine two (or more) lab spaces into one sign. All new signage must be posted on each entry doorway to the lab space (Do not post on walls). EH&S will provide a hard acrylic for posting, if needed. For shared open lab spaces, the signage must be placed on the main doors. This signage replaces all "old/outdated" EH&S signage previously installed.

Sample Emergency Signage

Lab Self-Audit

The Lab Self-Audit (LSA) is a mandatory self-inspection program for FIU's laboratory community intended to cultivate a proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance in all laboratory working environments. Conducted annually through an online survey, this program supports the lab community by:

• Promoting individual accountability for safety and regulatory compliance
• Encouraging a proactive approach to environmental health and safety issues
• Facilitating a better understanding of regulatory compliance
• Reducing lab-related incidents/injuries/violations/fines through encouraging effective communication and training

​The LSA survey is designed to identify safety and compliance concerns, and suggesting corrective actions. Submissions are reviewed by EH&S to verify whether safety equipment, standards, and practices are in place as required by governing regulatory agencies and institutional policies.

The LSA will be used in conjunction with the EH&S annual inspections to identify compliance concerns/deficiencies and allows EH&S to assist in implementing corrective actions by educating the lab users on best laboratory practices and procedures.

IMPORTANT: Non-employees (students, volunteers, interns, etc.) shall NOT fill out the LSA. The LSA is strictly intended to be completed by FIU paid employees (staff, faculty, etc.).

If you are a student, who also works part-time/full-time, and you are authorized by the primary to complete the LSA, put your title as what is assigned in your lab space. Do not put "Student" as a title.

LSA Resources

Please read the latest communication pertaining to the 2023 LSA launch. Direct all LSA inquiries to vmvilla@fiu.edu. 

• New Resources for 2023
   
  • Unsure if you need to conduct the Laboratory Self Audit (LSA) or the General Safety Self Audit (GSSA)? There are a few factors that determine which self-audit you are required to complete. To ease the process, EH&S has created a straightforward survey designed to quickly inform you if you are required to complete the LSA or the GSSA. The survey takes less than 2 minutes to complete and will have a maximum of three questions. Click here to get started.
    
    
    • Continue to the GSSA page by clicking here
    • Continue below for the LSA
      
      
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• LSA Preview – A PDF copy of the online survey, showing all questions, explanations, choices, and conditional triggers.
  • Please note: This is NOT the official Lab Self-Audit. Please do not submit to EH&S for review. 
• LSA Checklist - Shows condensed questions in an inspection checklist style for quick safety walkthroughs. Use this prior to commencing the LSA or throughout the year to ensure compliance.
• Lab Self-Audit - The 2023 Lab Self-Audit is no longer available.  
  • Closed

2022 LSA Data Report
2021 LSA Data Report
2020 LSA Data Report
2019 LSA Data Report
2018 LSA Data Report
2017 LSA Data Report
2016 LSA Data Report

Training

Need to know what training is required for your type of lab? Check out the laboratory training matrix and stay compliant!