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:

• Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines for Lab Areas
• Dry Ice Usage Guidelines
• Dry Ice Safety Quick Guide
• Lab Glassware Disposal Guidelines

Links:

• OSHA Lab Safety Standard

Lab 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, please email Tamece Knowles (knowles@fiu.edu) or Victoria Leyland (vleyland@fiu.edu) and 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 page protector 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 This signage replaces all "old/outdated" EH&S signage previously installed.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 lab signage - Click here

Lab Self Audit

The Lab Self Audit guides lab managers and personnel through inspection of their area, ensuring a safe working environment. Performed yearly, this program helps:

• Promote individual accountability for safety and regulatory compliance
• Encourage a proactive approach to environmental health and safety issues
• Facilitate a better understanding of regulatory compliance
• Reduce lab-related incidents/injuries/violations/fines through encouraging effective communication and training

​Using an easy-to-follow checklist, principal investigators, lab managers and staff can spot potential safety and compliance concerns. The checklist will be reviewed by EH&S to verify whether safety equipment, standards, and practices are in place as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), other applicable 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.

• LSA Preview – Check out the questions and perform a walkthrough in preparation for your audit
• Lab Self Audit – Ready for your audit? Contact the lab safety staff to get started.