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 Procedure Guidelines 
• 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

CampusOptics Safety Compliance Platform

EH&S is excited to announce the transition to CampusOptics. This cloud-based system allows user-friendly management of chemical inventories, hazardous waste disposal, and lab space and membership overview with more features coming soon. To access the new system, click the logo below. 

Here are a few quick start guides to help you get started:

• System Overview
• Space and Member Management
• Chemical Inventory
• Hazardous Waste Requests

Check the EH&S Announcements webpage for upcoming CampusOptics virtual info sessions and tutorials.

If you have any questions or to request access to the system, please contact the Chemical Safety Officer at mkhabins@fiu.edu/7-0489.

Emergency Signage Program

Welcome to FIU’s Emergency Signage Program! We aim to keep everyone safe and ensure first responders have the critical information they need in an emergency. Here's how it works:

What the Program Does:

• Displays hazards and emergency contacts on signage for spaces with hazards.
• Helps first responders quickly understand the risks of entering the space, make informed decisions, and provide them with contacts to discuss operations and hazards in more detail.

How to Get Started:

• Review the Emergency Signage Support Doc: This PDF outlines the details you’ll need to submit a request.
  • If you already know the information, skip ahead to the request form.
• Submit Your Request: Fill out the Emergency Signage Request Form
  • Important Note for Shared or Connected Spaces:
    • All doors leading into a shared or connected space must display all hazards present in the space, even if different groups manage different hazards. Select all hazards found in the space (not just the ones you manage).
    • Emergency contacts can differ per door, but hazards must be consistent. Provide your group’s emergency contacts for your door(s).

The Process in 4 Simple Steps:

1. Determine Participants: Group Leads (e.g., Principal Investigators, Space Managers, etc.) or an authorized representative (proxy) can submit the request. ONLY FIU EMPLOYEES can be identified as emergency contacts.
2. Submit the request by using the link above to identify the group or groups that share the space, the two (2) emergency contacts that will be displayed in the space, and all the hazards found in the space (not just the ones you manage).
3. Approval Process Begins: EH&S verifies the details, and automated emails are sent to Group Leads to verify that the information is correct.
4. Signage Creation: EH&S creates and installs the signage once approved.

Major Changes to the Program

• The Approval Process: All the Group Leads (i.e., Principal Investigators, Academic/Space Managers) identified in the request, will receive an automated email to verify the accuracy of the information and approve the request.
  • Please note that EH&S cannot create or issue the emergency signage request until all approvals have been submitted.
• Automated Emails: Three tiers of automated emails will be sent to participants, either updating them on the stage of the process or requesting their verification/approval of the provided information.

Stay Updated:

Ensure the Emergency Signage database is up to date by promptly updating hazards and personnel information as changes occur.

Contact Information:

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 academic and research community to cultivate a proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance. Conducted annually through an online survey, the LSA supports FIU 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, and violations through effective communication and training

​The LSA survey is designed to help you identify safety and compliance concerns and provide links and resources to help reduce compliance gaps. EH&S reviews submissions to verify whether regulated hazards, 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 allow EH&S to assist in implementing corrective actions by educating the space occupants on best laboratory practices and procedures.

IMPORTANT: Only FIU employees (staff, faculty, etc.) are allowed to complete the LSA. Non-employees (students, volunteers, interns, etc.) are not permitted to fill it out. If you are a student working part-time or full-time and are authorized by the Principal Investigator or Academic Laboratory Manager to complete the LSA, use your FIU employee email address and assigned lab title instead of "Student".

LSA Resources

In case you miss, or delete, email or listserv communications pertaining to the 2024 LSA, sleep easy knowing they will all have a home right here: 

• Memo #1 (sent 7/26)
• Memo #2 (sent 8/1)

Unsure If Your Space(s) Must Complete the LSA?

The 2024 LSA Determination Survey helps determine if an LSA is required for your space(s). Use the link to complete a 2-minute survey that will assist in classifying your space(S) and the operations conducted within it. Note:The survey is anonymous and not linked to the LSA.

Resources To Assist Before Beginning the LSA:

• LSA Introduction Guide Video: A video covering all the information requirements and available resources. 
• 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. Do not submit to EH&S for review. 
• LSA Checklist - This is a condensed version of the questions in a checklist-style format for quick safety walkthroughs. Use it before commencing the LSA or throughout the year to ensure compliance.

Lab Self-Audit Access: 

• The 2024 Lab Self-Audit is NOW CLOSED!   
  • Availability Timeframe: The LSA will be open for three (3) full months.
    • Start: August 1, 2024
    • End: October 31, 2024
  • Note: Completing the LSA within the desingated timeframe is mandatory. Failure to do so will result in an escalation process.

Contact Information:

For LSA inquiries, please contact Victoria Villa, the LSA Program Coordinator and EH&S Safety Officer. See contact information below.

Past LSA Data Reports:

2024 LSA Data Report

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!