Responsibilities

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:

  1. Ensure laboratory practices and operating procedures align with the requirements and rules outlined in the Plan and current best laboratory safety practices.
  2. Ensure that laboratory personnel are sufficiently trained on the chemical hazards specific to the laboratory, have attended EHSS Initial Laboratory Safety Training, and have completed any other required EHSS safety training.
  3. 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.
  4. Identify and implement all feasible control measures to reduce the chemical hazards and chemical exposures in the laboratory.
  5. Identify and label the use and storage location(s) of hazardous materials in the lab.
  6. Have an accurate, up to date laboratory door sign indicating the primary hazards and laboratory emergency contact information.
  7. Provide specific training/instruction to laboratory personnel on the safe use of hazardous material(s) and/or equipment and develop laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the use of particularly hazardous substances.
  8. Inform non-laboratory personnel (e.g., campus facilities, vendors, visitors) of potential hazards when they are required to enter the laboratory.
  9. Report laboratory incidents and near misses to EHSS.
  10. Maintain an accurate chemical inventory, description of laboratory activities, laboratory locations, and list of laboratory personnel with EHSS.
  11. Advise laboratory personnel of the means of accessing chemical safety data sheets and other chemical safety information specific to their laboratory.
  12. Ensure waste chemicals and other wastes generated in the laboratory are disposed of properly and in compliance with all applicable rules and requirements.
  13. 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: 

  1. Abide by the Plan, all laboratory safety rules, regulations, and SOPs applicable to the task performed.
  2. Review and understand the hazards presented by the chemicals and operations in their laboratory research prior to beginning work.
  3. Store and label chemicals properly and safely.
  4. Complete all required safety trainings, including EHSS’s Initial Laboratory Safety Training course, required or recommended EHSS supplemental laboratory safety trainings, and any laboratory specific chemical or operational safety trainings required by the laboratory principal investigator.
  5. Use appropriate engineering controls, safety procedures, and PPE to control laboratory hazards.
  6. Understand the proper use and limitations of required PPE and use the PPE properly.
  7. Maintain an organized work area free of chemical residue and unnecessary clutter.
  8. Consult with PI before using high hazard chemicals, such as Particularly Hazardous Substances or highly reactive chemicals, or conducting certain high-risk experimental procedures.
  9. Manage chemical and other wastes generated in the laboratory properly and in compliance with all applicable rules and requirements.
  10. Report laboratory incidents and near misses to the PI and EHSS.

 

3.4. Environmental Health and Safety Services and the Laboratory Chemical (Hygiene) Safety Officer 

  1. Abide by the Plan, all laboratory safety rules, regulations, and SOPs applicable to the task performed.
  2. Review and understand the hazards presented by the chemicals and operations in their laboratory research prior to beginning work.
  3. Store and label chemicals properly and safely.
  4. Complete all required safety trainings, including EHSS’s Initial Laboratory Safety Training course, required or recommended EHSS supplemental laboratory safety trainings, and any laboratory specific chemical or operational safety trainings required by the laboratory principal investigator.
  5. Use appropriate engineering controls, safety procedures, and PPE to control laboratory hazards.
  6. Understand the proper use and limitations of required PPE and use the PPE properly.
  7. Maintain an organized work area free of chemical residue and unnecessary clutter.
  8. Consult with PI before using high hazard chemicals, such as Particularly Hazardous Substances or highly reactive chemicals, or conducting certain high-risk experimental procedures.
  9. Manage chemical and other wastes generated in the laboratory properly and in compliance with all applicable rules and requirements.
  10. Report laboratory incidents and near misses to the PI and EHSS.