NIU is transitioning to new laboratory safety software (CEMS). Registering your laboratory in the new system will create a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) required for your laboratory. In the interim, you must have a copy (electronic or hard) of your current CHP available. (This was formally generated through infoEd). ORCIS can assist with creating the plan prior to CEMS becoming available to your department.
The NIU Health and Safety policy outlines safety responsibilities, including those in the laboratory.
The chemical hygiene plan applies to your laboratory only if you meet all of the following criteria:
OSHA definitions: Laboratory: a facility where the "laboratory use of hazardous chemicals" occurs. It is a workplace where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a nonproduction basis. Laboratory scale: work with substances in which the containers used for reactions, transfers, and other handling of substances are designed to be easily and safely manipulated by one person. Excludes those workplaces whose function is to produce commercial quantities of materials.
If your laboratory does not meet the above criteria contact Jim Gable at jgable@niu.edu for a consultation.
The Chemical Waste Management guide provides an overview of NIU's chemical waste program, including identifying certain types of hazardous waste.
Hazardous chemicals are defined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards as the following:
Therefore, in order to handle hazardous chemicals properly, inventory must be established and updated as chemicals are added or removed from the laboratory and shall be completed in your Laboratory Safety Plan which will be available in the CEMS software. In the interim please retain a paper or electronic copy of your inventory.
All chemicals should be used with care. Review the chemical's safety data sheet for proper use of the chemical. Chemical fume hoods and glove boxes are available to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals. However, if there is a concern regarding the safe use of a particular chemical contact ORICS. ORCIS works closely with Environmental Health and Safety to monitor and mitigate chemical exposure above acceptable levels, (as determined by best practices and regulations).
NIU maintains fume hoods through the Fume Hood Maintenance information.
NIU also has Personal Protective Lab Equipment information.
In addition to the online training, ORCIS offers general laboratory training several times a year as invited by departments. Please talk to your chair or director about the next scheduled session or contact Michele Crase to set up a new session.
Laboratory-specific training is the responsibility of the principal investigator.
If you would like specific training that you are unable to offer please contact Michele Crase at mcrase@niu.edu to make a request. These requests will be reviewed and an outside specialist may be brought in if appropriate and funding is available.
Medical examinations and consultations are conducted on an as-needed basis based on the potential hazards in the laboratory, industry best practices and government regulations. Medical examinations and consultations will be performed by a licensed medical professional at no cost to the employee. Contact ORCIS for more information.
Please see NIU's emergency response guide regarding hazardous substances.
You may also wish to perform a hazard assessment (PDF) in your laboratory.
Periodic laboratory inspections are an integral part of any laboratory safety program. Inspections are the most productive when a qualified member of the lab is present to answer questions and provide input. A variety of topics are included in an inspection. For example, documentation, training, use of personal protective equipment, and chemical safety, just to name a few.
Various regulations also require lab inspections on a regular basis to provide evidence of adherence to regulations. OSHA's Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450).
This program establishes NIU's laboratory inspection procedure in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations, best management practices and university policies and procedures.
All laboratories will be inspected annually. Additional or follow-up inspections may be required based on the findings from previous inspections or as needed.
The Laboratory Inspection Checklist is included in attachment A.
Scheduling of departmental inspections will be coordinated by the Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety with the department chair and laboratory managers. Inspections will be conducted by a member(s) of the laboratory safety team. The laboratory inspection team may consist of the following: laboratory safety manager, laboratory safety officer, department chair, laboratory manager or members of the Laboratory Safety Committee. The laboratory inspection team will coordinate the inspection with the principal investigator (PI) or a designee for the initial annual inspection. Follow up inspections for noncompliant labs or inspections to verify the use of personal protective equipment will be unannounced.
The inspection will be conducted using the Laboratory Inspection Checklist (Attachment A). Comments and corrective action as well as photographic documentation will be included with the inspection form. The completed inspection documents will be electronically sent to the department chair, laboratory manager and PI. All inspection documentation will be maintained in the Laboratory Safety Office.
Violations that present an immediate risk to the safety of the lab and occupants must be corrected during the inspection or the laboratory may be closed by the inspection team.
Violations of a less serious nature must be corrected within 30 days upon receipt of the inspection checklist. Noncompliant laboratories must respond to the Laboratory Safety Office detailing all corrective actions.
Follow-up inspection may be conducted any time after 30 days to verify corrective actions. If the laboratory continues to not be in compliance, the laboratory will be referred to NIU's Laboratory Safety Committee for additional enforcement actions.
The Laboratory Safety Committee will review and revise this policy on an annual basis to reflect operational and procedural changes internal to the university as well as changes to applicable rule, regulations and consensus standards.
| Date | Inspector | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 4/18/2017 | Lab safety committee | Annual review |
| 3/8/2021 | Lab safety manager | Annual review |
| 2/16/2022 | Lab safety manager | Annual review |
| 12/20/2024 | Lab safety manager | Annual review |
Safety data sheets must be obtained from the respective manufacturer(s). A copy shall be available to those working in the laboratory.
Learn more about how to read a safety data sheet (PDF) from Flinn Scientific.