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The goal of laboratory safety is to minimize the risk of an adverse event like injury or illness to laboratory personnel by ensuring that they have the training, information, equipment, and support needed to work safely in the laboratory.
Safety in the laboratory can be broadly envisioned through an understanding of the control measures used to minimize the risk of an adverse event like an exposure or injury. The Hierarchy of Controls is a method that is used to rank safeguards that protect individuals from hazards.
EHS provides guidance, consultation, and oversight to meet regulatory requirements and standards of care in the following areas:
- Development of specific laboratory safety practices
- Use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials
- Hazard evaluations and equipment reviews
- Incident response equipment and supplies
- Waste management and minimization
- Environmental compliance
We provide responsive service and critical support to ensure that our campus is a safe and healthy environment in which to work and study.
SciShield Safety Management Platform
All instructional programs with laboratories use SciShield, which streamlines health and safety compliance efforts by allowing laboratory members and EHS to manage safety through a single portal.
Have you heard of SciShield before? It is used by some other Maryland institutions’ EHS departments as well.
Safety Training
Safety training is hosted by your home institution’s environmental health and safety or approval committee departments. Assigned training is based on the activities you will be performing or overseeing, and must be taken before the start of laboratory activities involving hazards.
If you are not familiar with your home institution’s environmental health and safety or committee departments, contact EHS.
Laboratory Inspections
The inspection program is designed to provide staff and students with a safe educational environment, cover environmental protections, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations covering work in laboratories.
- Formal inspections are conducted at least annually in laboratories and clinics.
- Walkthrough inspections occur on a routine basis to support safety and campus operations.
If safety and environmental findings are not corrected in a timely manner it increases the risk of an adverse event, therefore jeopardizing personnel or creating liability for the university.
Want to get more information about Lab Safety?
The links at the bottom of the page are resources to support safe and compliant laboratory practices. If you have a question or need resources, don’t hesitate to contact EHS.