Safety

Please check off each item on the Annual Checklist (doc) as it is completed. Please follow the instructions under each item to ensure that safety documentation is properly stored and forwarded as needed. This checklist must be completed by January 31.

• Laboratory Safety Manual Review the contents of the Laboratory Safety Manual (PDF) with all lab personnel every year and keep a link to it on the lab computer or printed out in a binder labeled “Lab Safety Manual.” Also,  post signs noting the location of the LSM.
• Check in/check outAll personnel must complete a safety check-in (doc) prior to working in the lab. When employment at ISU or in a particular lab is complete, personnel must fill out a safety check-out (doc).

• Lab-specific safety trainingComplete the Lab Safety Training Form (doc) yearly and store it in lab safety binder.

• Chemical inventoryUse a Sample Chemical Inventory (doc) to create a database of chemicals in the lab and update inventory each year as a matter of national security. Add items to inventory when an order is placed and print out MSDS.

• Laboratory safety surveysUse the Quarterly Laboratory Inspection Form (doc) to perform a quick review of lab safety issues each quarter and the Yearly Laboratory Safety Survey Form (PDF)each year for a more comprehensive inspection. Add a recurrence with reminder to a calendar so these inspections are completed on time.

Before beginning research, lab personnel must perform a safety training needs assessment through EH&S. Use the following resources for other requirements to specific types of research

Other useful resources:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

New graduate student or student employee

The New Student Safety Checklist (doc) is a guide for itemizing the steps required before a new graduate student or student employee may begin work in a laboratory.

New faculty

The New Faculty Safety Checklist (doc) is a guide to assist in setting up a new lab, including safety requirements which must be completed before beginning work.

Documentation of these safety requirements must be placed in the lab safety binder.

New research technique safety guidance

Before a new research technique may be performed in the lab, the PI must provide guidance to lab personnel in completing a Hazard Inventory form, perform a needs assessment that can be found on the EH&S website, and create new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and train personnel.

Lab personnel changing lab locations

Before lab personnel may begin working in a different lab, they must perform a needs assessment that can be found on the EH&S website, be trained on SOPs, complete a Hazard Inventory form, and undergo lab-specific safety training.

View the FSHN Safety Seminars to note important safety changes each year.

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Post Top Ten Safety Fixes (PDF) as a guide to prevent problems in chemical labs.

All primary investigators (PI) must designate an alternate (PDF) to be responsible for the lab in their absence.

The Professor-in-Charge List (doc) designates the person in charge of each FSHN laboratory by room number and building.

The List of Shared Equipment (doc) indicates the professor-in-charge of shared department laboratory instruments. Contact the professor-in-charge for instructions and questions about the equipment.

Instructions (PDF) have been written to enable a user to assemble the vacuum pump, dry ice bath, and rotary evaporator and to properly use the rotary evaporator. It is important to protect the vacuum pump so it will run smoothly for years. If regular ice instead of dry ice is used, see the procedure (PDF)for flaked ice rotoevaporation to help determine how many cold traps must be used in between the dry ice bath and the vacuum pump. If a glass dry ice trap is used for rotoevaporation, follow these manufacturer’s directions (PDF). A photo is included to help visualize the proper setup.