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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:

Links:

Event References:

COVID-19 Laboratory Safety Resources

For research that continues during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as the University phases in plans to re-integrate staff and students into campuses and locations, EH&S is ensuring you have every available resource to keep lab spaces and personnel safe from the spread of coronavirus. The resources below address many aspects of a laboratory environment you may encounter at FIU. 

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 Gina Oubrar (gigallia@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 This signage replaces all "old/outdated" EH&S signage previously installed.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

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.

*New to 2020* - The LSA has undergone key structural changes and modifications. The changes include the following:

  • EH&S will restrict access to the LSA by distributing the LSA link directly to the Principal Investigator (PIs) and Academic Laboratory Mangers.
    • If you have not received the introductory email and are a PI, Academic Laboratory Manager, or the primary contact for the laboratory, contact ehs@fiu.edu. 
  • 'OFFLINE' laboratories are required to submit the LSA; a conditional trigger will register the location and end the survey.
  • An alternate can be appointed by the PI or Academic Laboratory Manager to complete and submit the LSA on their behalf. 
  • Document Upload Required:
    • Emergency Hazardous Spill Procedure (only if applicable)
    • Emergency Incident and/or Injury Procedure
    • Emergency Evacuation Procedure
    • Emergency Shutdown Procedure

LSA Resources

Please read the latest communication pertaining to the upcoming launch of the 2020 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 - Provided to PIs and Academic Lab Managers via emailed link. 
    • Begins - September 9th, 2020
    • Ends - November 18th, 2020   

2019 LSA Data Report
2018 LSA Data Report
2017 LSA Data Report
2016 LSA Data Report