Laboratory Safety Program
WSU’s Laboratory Safety Program strives to minimize the risk of injury or illness to laboratory workers by assisting Principal Investigators (PIs) and laboratory managers with developing a laboratory specific comprehensive safety program.
This comprehensive safety program involves laboratories:
- Bookmarking and referencing the Laboratory Safety Manual as needed,
- Developing and implementing a laboratory specific Chemical Hygiene Plan,
- Developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
- Developing and implementing an Accident Prevention Program,
- Developing and implementing other applicable safety and health programs,
- Participating in the Laboratory Signage Program,
- Completing annual inspections using a Laboratory Inspection Checklist,
- The systematic evaluation of engineering controls, and
- Adherence to recommended prudent practices in laboratories.
Current Safety Focus Areas
2022-2023 Safety Commitment for Research, Teaching, and Clinical Laboratories
In a memorandum released on May 10, 2022 the Vice President for Research and Vice President for Finance and Administration requested the support and commitment to laboratory safety of the Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs and those responsible for laboratories within each college. Two safety focus areas were identified for improving laboratory safety:
- 1) Update Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHPs); and
- 2) Update Laboratory Signage
Please use the links in the Laboratory Safety Program section above for details on how to complete your CHP and laboratory signage. The safety commitment memorandum is provided below.
2022-2023 Laboratory Safety Commitment Memorandum
Previous Safety Focus Areas
Resources
A number of laboratory resources are available to assist you in implementing and supplementing your laboratory safety program.
How do I:
WSU Links
Contact
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) provides consultation and information services for laboratories. For further information or assistance contact EH&S at 509-335-3041.