Laboratory Safety
The EHSS department is committed to helping support ISU's students, faculty, and staff create and maintain safe learning and work environment. As part of ISU's laboratory safety program, EHSS performs routine safety walkthroughs in ISU's facilities and laboratories, assists laboratories in developing safety plans, and offers chemical safety training.
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EHSS works collaboratively with researchers and lab workers to identify laboratory hazards and implement effective control measures. An EHSS staff member will routinely conduct a safety walk-through of laboratories containing hazardous chemicals and communicate any safety concerns identified to the Primary Investigator (PI) or lab manager. Significant concerns will be addressed immediately and EHSS will offer assistance in implementing control measures whenever possible.
Each ISU laboratory containing hazardous chemicals is required to have a Laboratory Specific Safety Plan. The Lab Specific Safety Plan promotes chemical safety by documenting the hazards present in the lab and the control measures established to address the existing hazards. All laboratory workers must be familiar with the Lab Specific Safety Plan for their work area. The Lab Specific Safety Plan also facilitates compliance with the OSHA Chemical Hygiene regulations (29 CFR 1910.1450) and the ISU Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Note that the plan needs to include or link to operating procedures for particularly hazardous substances utilized in the laboratory. EHSS has established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for select chemicals that may be helpful when developing a Lab Specific Safety Plan.
EHSS recommends that laboratory workers who routinely handle chemicals, including student employees, receive some form of chemical safety training. Non-laboratory workers who handle chemicals are required to receive Hazard Communication (HazCom) training. All workers who generate chemical waste are required to have training on how to effectively manage hazardous waste. EHSS offers many opportunities for training. Please contact EHSS at 208-282-2310 or see our training page for more information or to request training.