Purpose of this site
To encourage personal accountability and compliance with best practice standards for Laboratory Safety; to be in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) guidelines.
This site provides links to Environmental Health and Safety web site, lab safety training sites, general information for working safely in a laboratory setting and operating departmental autoclaves. It is intended to supplement, but not replace, your laboratory’s Chemical Hygiene Plan (LCHP).
Principal investigators
Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring that their laboratory workers attend or view Laboratory Safety Trainings provided by EHS and work safely in the lab. They may designate a person to do the day to day lab safety training oversight but the PI is ultimately responsible for the safety of all laboratory workers working in their lab.
More specifically, Principal Investigators or their designee is expected to do the following:
- Ensure laboratory workers, including staff, students and volunteers, complete the required Laboratory Safety Trainings and comply with OSHA rules and regulations.
- Ensure laboratory workers understand the potential health and physical hazards of the microorganisms, chemicals and equipment used in the laboratory.
- Explain proper and safe procedures for handling and disposing of the hazardous substances used in the laboratory.
- Provide personal protective clothing and equipment to allow laboratory workers to work safely.
- Provide laboratory workers with the location and availability of the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan (LCHP) and reference materials, including material safety data sheets (MSDSs).
- Review and approve work with particularly hazardous substances.
- Report all accidents, near misses, and potential chemical exposures to the departmental safety officer and/or Environmental Health and Safety.
Laboratory workers
Everyone, undergraduates, graduate students, staff members and faculty working in research laboratories are expected to:
- Attend or view Laboratory Safety Trainings provided by EHS
- Review the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan for their lab
- Follow procedures and laboratory practices outlined in the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE), as appropriate
- Report all accidents, near misses, and potential chemical exposures to your PI and departmental safety officer or Environmental Health and Safety
Safety Training
Basic lab safety trainings are required by EPA, Oregon DEQ, and OSHA regulations for anyone that works in a laboratory setting at OSU. Some of the general courses listed below must be retaken every year and others, every three years after the initial trainings are taken. Reminders are usually sent by EHS.
Additional lab safety training, such as animal handling, Bloodborne pathogens and laboratory biosafety trainings for those working in BSL2 facilities are required trainings if you are assigned research in these areas. They are not part of the mandatory general training links that are listed below.
The PI or their designated Lab Manager will have laboratory specific safety and equipment training for you to go through before you start your research project in their lab. Note: You will need your OSU ID card and your campus email address to complete the safety trainings and to submit the departmental acknowledgement form.
Visiting Scientists: Some visiting scientists may not be issued an OSU ID card but will still need to have basic safety training in order to work in a laboratory.
Mandatory General Laboratory Safety Trainings
