General Lab Safety

Laboratory Safety includes chemical, biological, radiological and physical hazards while working in the laboratory or field research. Various committees oversee portions of laboratory safety. Federal and State regulations require specific committees focused on certain hazards in some instances.

Equipment

Eyewash and safety showers, as well as other safety equipment must be checked periodically in compliance with the Laboratory Inspection Program and recorded via the Laboratory Inspection Checklist (PDF).

Fume hoods shall be tested and maintained according to federal and state guidelines. get more information about Fume Hood Maintenance.

Equipment must be cleaned and decontaminated before it is removed from the lab for disposal or repair. Follow the Decontamination Plan (PDF) and fill out the Decontamination Certificate (PDF).

General Operating Procedures and Hazards

Information regarding operating laboratory equipment and completing standard procedures need to be included in your Laboratory Safety Plan which is available in the electronic research administration software (InfoEd).

Get additional information regarding less common laboratory procedures about Gas Cylinders Pressure Vessels.

Lab procedures should be read carefully and understood completely to assess the potential hazards. This information needs to be included in your Laboratory Safety Plan which is available in the electronic research administration software (InfoEd).

In the occurrence of an accident in the lab, the online Accident Reporting Form must be completed.

Rules regarding food and drink in laboratories shall be done in conformance with Food and Drink Policy in Research Laboratories.

Training
Lab participants shall be notified of potential hazards and completely understand lab procedures and policies. Compliance must be recorded via a sign-in sheet or other form of documentation. 
Personal Protective Equipment

Purpose

Protecting laboratory workers from exposure to biological, chemical, and or physical laboratory hazards is integral in laboratory safety. Each department that works with chemicals in teaching or research at Northern Illinois University (university) must take steps to safeguard students, faculty and staff from exposure to hazardous materials. A primary step lab workers must take requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of PPE is required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910 and is a prudent laboratory practice.

Policy

This policy requires individuals to utilize PPE in technical areas, research and instructional laboratory environments. Departments must provide appropriate PPE and training to their students and staff and ensure its use.

Employees

Failure or refusal to wear required PPE is a basis for discipline, in accordance with university procedures. Any employee observed not wearing required PPE in a laboratory will be asked to leave the laboratory and the laboratory will be closed until compliance with this policy is ensured.

Students

Failure or refusal to wear required PPE is a basis for discipline, in accordance with the university' s Student Code of Conduct. A student not wearing required PPE in a laboratory/technical area may not participate in lab activities until such PPE is worn.

This policy sets the minimum requirements for university laboratories. Individual laboratories may develop policies and procedures which meet or exceed this policy standard. Departments must make these policies available.

Program Requirements

Hazard Assessment

Laboratory supervisors shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards (danger or threat) are present, or are likely to be present, that necessitate the use of PPE. The hazard assessment must evaluate both the hazards to the individuals performing the work and the hazards to individuals who occupy the room or space where the work is being performed.

Each laboratory supervisor shall certify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the following:

  • Workplace evaluated
  • Person performing the assessment
  • Date of the hazard assessment

Hazard assessments that indicate less than the minimum PPE for a laboratory area require the review and approval of the Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety (ORCIS). A hazard assessment must be performed annually or when significant changes to the laboratory' s activities occur.

Minimum Attire and Personal Protective Equipment Requirements for Laboratories

PPE must be maintained to the manufacturer' s specifications. Departments are responsible for monitoring these recommendations. Individuals are required to notify their supervisor if their PPE is damaged, becomes faulty, contaminated or any other situation that render them ineffective.

The following minimum attire and PPE requirements pertain to all laboratories that use or store hazardous materials or where a physical hazard exists.

Personal Laboratory Attire

  • Full-length pants (or equivalent) and closed-toe/heel shoes must be worn at all times by all individuals who are occupying or entering a laboratory/technical area.
  • Hair below shoulder length should be tied back.

Required PPE

Laboratory coats (or equivalent protective garments) and protective eyewear are required to be worn by all workers.

Laboratory Coats

  • Laboratory coats must be appropriately sized for the individual. Coats must be buttoned or snapped to their full length. Laboratory coat sleeves must be of a sufficient length to prevent direct skin exposure while wearing gloves.
  • Flame-resistant (FR-rated) laboratory coats must be worn when working with pyrophoric materials. FR-rated lab coats are also required when working with flammable liquids in laboratories using open flames or other potential ignition sources, or as determined by the hazard assessment.
  • Laboratory coats must be laundered at departmental laundry facilities. Any protective clothing that becomes contaminated with hazardous materials must be decontaminated prior to being laundered or appropriately discarded. Departments without laundry facilities should make arrangements with a department that has laundry facilities.
  • Laboratory coats must remain in the laboratory when not in use.

Protective Eyewear

Eyewear must be used at all time and meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standard. The eyewear must be appropriate for the work being done. Prescription eyewear is not suitable eye protection unless certified as ANSI compliant.

Protective Gloves

Protective gloves must be worn while using any hazardous materials, hot or cold liquids (including

cryogenics), items having physical hazards, or equipment that may cause hand injury. The gloves must be appropriate for the material or process being used and must not interfere with the ability of the individual to work safely. The manufacturer-specific glove selection guide should be referenced to determine the appropriate glove type. Gloves should remain in the confines of the laboratory and be properly disposed.

Other PPE

Some operations and procedures may require additional PPE, as indicated by the hazard assessment or standard operating procedure, departmental policies or regulatory requirements. Additional PPE might include face shields, aprons, respiratory protection or hearing protection.

Variances

  • PPE is not required for laboratories which have been designated and posted as free of hazards during normal activities (e.g. electron microscope rooms, computer rooms, precision measurement rooms). These exceptions require written approval from ORCIS. ORCIS has the final authority for making this determination and establishment of a level of personal protective equipment below the minimum specified requirements.
  • Protective eyewear may be removed when using microscopes or similar instruments, requiring close contact between the eyes and the eyepieces.

References

  • Applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards as adopted by the Illinois Department of Labor 29 CFR 1910.132-140
  • Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, National Research Council

Chemical Hygiene Plan

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. Please see Chemical Safety for more information.

Laboratory Safety Committee

The Laboratory Safety Committee oversees general laboratory safety on campus.

Related Committees

  • Institutional Biosafety: Recombinant DNA, biohazardous material including bacteria, virus to animals and plants and human blood/tissue
  • Radiation Safety: Radioactive material use and X-ray machines
  • Laser Safety: Oversees safe use of laser equipment in research

Laboratory Safety Contacts