The roles and responsibilities for implementing this Plan and providing for the safe use of chemicals in University laboratories is generally outlined as follows.
3.1. Deans, Directors, and Department Heads
The deans, directors, and department heads of schools, colleges, and departments where chemical use laboratories are present are responsible for the safety of their laboratory personnel. They fulfill this responsibility, in part, by ensuring that their laboratory personnel understand and take seriously their roles in implementing the Plan and overseeing and assisting with compliance of all requirements, procedures, and practices outlined in this Plan.
3.2. Principal Investigators
The Principal Investigator (PI) of each laboratory has the ultimate responsibility for the health and safety of the laboratory personnel working in their laboratory.
The PI responsibilities include:
- Demonstrate a commitment to safety. Set tone and safety expectations for the laboratory.
- Ensure laboratory practices and operating procedures align with the requirements and rules outlined in the Plan and current best laboratory safety practices.
- Ensure that laboratory personnel are sufficiently trained on the hazards specific to the laboratory. Ensure personnel complete EHSS required laboratory safety trainings. Provide personnel with laboratory specific training on the hazards and operations specific to the laboratory.
- Determine PPE required generally in the laboratory, and for chemicals that require specific PPE in order to be used in the lab. Provide, at no cost, all required personal protective equipment (PPE) to laboratory personnel.
- Identify laboratory hazards and implement all feasible control measures to reduce hazards and chemical exposures in the laboratory.
- Identify and label the use and storage location(s) of hazardous materials in the lab.
- Have an accurate, up to date laboratory door sign indicating the primary hazards and laboratory emergency contact information.
- Develop laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs). Laboratories using particularly hazardous substances must have SOPs specifically developed for use of these materials.
- Follow University access control procedures. Establish and enforce laboratory specific access and security procedures.
- Establish general laboratory hours and laboratory specific working alone procedures, if permitted.
- Inform non-laboratory personnel (e.g., campus facilities, vendors, visitors) of potential hazards when they are required to enter the laboratory.
- Immediately notify Department of Public Safety in the event of a serious laboratory incident including any incident involving fire, explosion, personal injury, property damage or release of hazardous material. Also notify the department chair, and the college’s associate dean of research if the incident occurs in a research laboratory.
- Report laboratory incident and near miss information to EHSS.
- Maintain up to date laboratory information including accurate chemical inventory, laboratory hazards, laboratory locations, and list of laboratory personnel. Provide this information to EHSS and update as changes occur.
- Advise laboratory personnel of the means of accessing chemical safety data sheets and other chemical safety information specific to their laboratory.
- Ensure waste chemicals and other wastes generated in the laboratory are disposed of properly and in compliance with all applicable rules and requirements.
- Comply with the University Minors in Laboratories Guidelines if hosting individuals under the age of 18 in the laboratory.
3.3. Laboratory Personnel
Laboratory personnel are responsible for supporting the implementation and adhering to the requirements of the Plan and laboratory specific safety requirements in the laboratory(s) where they work.
Laboratory personnel responsibilities include:
- Abide by the Plan, all laboratory safety rules, policies and regulations.
- Review and understand the hazards presented by the chemicals and operations in their laboratory research prior to beginning work.
- Follow all laboratory SOPs.
- Store and label chemicals properly and safely.
- Complete all required safety trainings.
- Use appropriate engineering controls, safety procedures, and PPE to control laboratory hazards.
- Understand the proper use and limitations of required PPE and use the PPE properly.
- Maintain an organized work area free of chemical residue and unnecessary clutter.
- Consult with PI before using high hazard chemicals, such as Particularly Hazardous Substances or highly reactive chemicals, or conducting certain high-risk experimental procedures.
- Manage chemical and other wastes generated in the laboratory properly and in compliance with all applicable rules and requirements.
- Immediately notify Department of Public Safety in the event of a serious laboratory incident including any incident involving fire, explosion, personal injury, property damage or release of hazardous material.
3.4. Environmental Health and Safety Services (EHSS)
EHSS administers and maintains this Plan. EHSS designates an EHSS staff member to serve as the University’s Chemical Hygiene Officer.
EHSS’ responsibilities include:
- Conduct periodic review of the written Plan to verify written text reflects current University Policy, guidance, and/or regulatory requirements.
- Conduct individual laboratory safety assessments to monitor compliance with the Plan and provide recommended corrective actions to laboratory supervisors as appropriate.
- Develop and provide general laboratory safety training, guidance documents, written directives, and laboratory safety initiatives as appropriate in order to enhance chemical safety.
- Assist with the coordination of emergency response for chemical spills and investigate associated laboratory accidents, incidents, and near-misses.
- Provide general laboratory safety training and maintain records of attendance
- Conduct personal exposure assessments and maintain assessment records for laboratory personnel.
- Provide compliance and safety assistance to laboratory personnel as needed.
- Provide safety data sheets and conduct chemical hazard assessments upon request.