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 Program

Welcome to the FIU Emergency Signage Program. Our mission is to ensure the safety of all personnel and facilitate effective communication during emergencies. We provide essential hazard information and emergency contact details through strategically placed signage across campus.

The Emergency Signage Program captures data to create emergency signage for spaces with hazards or where experiments are conducted at FIU. The signage displays hazards and provides two emergency contacts for each space. This information is crucial for first responders to understand potential hazards in emergency situations.

To submit an Emergency Signage Request, please fill out the online form:

• Emergency Signage Request Form:  Fill out the Emergency Signage Request Form

Watch our comprehensive video to learn more about the Emergency Signage Program:

• Video Link: Watch the Emergency Signage Program Update Video 

Requirements:

• Responsibility: Group Leads (Principal Investigators or Academic Laboratory Managers) are responsible for ensuring emergency signage for their spaces is current and accurately reflects all hazards and emergency contacts.
• Submission: Group Leads—Principal Investigators or Academic Laboratory Managers—must either submit the Emergency Signage Request Form or designate someone within their group to do so.
• Shared Spaces: Collaboration is required to submit one emergency signage request for the entire shared space, indicating all hazards and emergency contacts.
  • The Emergency Signage Pre-Fill Support Form is designed to help shared spaces and open concepts gather necessary information from different research groups or academic departments. This form is not submitted to EH&S but assists in preparing a consolidated request for the entire shared space. 
    
    • Access the Pre-Fill Support Form Here (DO NOT SUBMIT TO EH&S)

Process Overview:

1. Data Collection: Capture location details, hazards, and emergency contacts.
2. Submission: Group Leads or assigned proxies submit the consolidated emergency signage request after completing the Emergency Signage Pre-Fill Support Form.
3. Approval: EH&S initiates an approval process involving verification by Group Leads.
4. Signage Creation: Upon approval, EH&S creates and installs the signage.
5. Database Update: Updated information is shared with FIU Police Dispatch for emergency response coordination.

FAQs:

1. What is the Emergency Signage Program?

1. • The program ensures crucial hazard and emergency contact information is displayed prominently in various campus spaces.

2. Who can participate?

1. • Participation is limited to principal investigators, academic lab managers, or authorized FIU employees within their group.

3. Why do shared spaces and open concepts need to submit one request for the entire space?

1. • To ensure consistency and comprehensive coverage, shared spaces and open concepts must collaborate to submit a single emergency signage request that includes hazards and emergency contacts for the entire area.

4. Which locations require emergency signage?

1. • Any space with hazards or where experiments are conducted, including individual rooms, shared spaces, and open-concept areas.

5. What information is on the signage?

1. • Visual depictions of hazards and two emergency contacts, aiding first responders in assessing risks.

6. How do I update signage information?

1. • Submit a request to update details through the program’s process to maintain an effective emergency response system.

For further assistance or questions, please contact:

Victoria Villa, EH&S Safety Officer

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
      
      
  • 
    
    
• 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

2023 LSA Data Report
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!