Lab Safety

SAFETY FIRST!

B4T has consistently passed UW safety inspections, thanks to our team members continued efforts. Every lab member must be committed to follow this tradition and help us to keep our research environment safe.

UW Laboratory Safety Manual (LSM)

UW Lab Safety Manual

B4T Specific Laboratory Safety

This is an online version of the lab safety manual and required documentation. Every member of the lab must complete the required general training and upload their certificates, and take their lab-specific PPE hazard assessment on this website before they are allowed to work in the B4T laboratory.

Standard Operating Procedures (Last Checked: Sep 2024)

Lab Risk Assessment Tool (RAT)

Lab PI Sel-assessment (annual)

Access MSDS or update myChem

Useful Links

UW Online Accident Reporting System (OARS)

See the status of lab Personnel Training

My Research Portal

UW PI Dashboard

Areas to Improve (2024)

Please do not keep outdated laboratory safety manuals in the lab. The most current safety manual can be accessed electronically, if everyone in the lab has access to the computer

Update the information for your CHP.

Pls edit templates specifically for the lab (PPE, list of chems for class SOPs, etc.) & remove template instructions. Additional info here: https://www.ehs.washington.edu/chemical/chemical-sops

Please document self-inspections at least once a year & separate from any other audits. This can be done on the PI dashboard.

Please make it a standard practice to document risk assessments https://www.ehs.washington.edu/resource/laboratory-risk-assessment-tool-lab-rat-843 https://www.ehs.washington.edu/resource/laboratory-risk-assessment-tool-lab-rat-guidelines-844

There are SDS’ missing from the MyChem Inventory. Please upload or download from MyChem SDS’ that are missing. Contact mychem@uw.edu for additional assistance if needed.

Noted waste stored in cardboard box. PI stated that chemicals are in their original containers inside. Please use a compatible container for hazardous waste. If chems are in their original container, they can be sent to waste in their original container.

Noted hazardous waste without a label. Please affix a UW waste label as soon as a container is used for waste. More Info: https://www.ehs.washington.edu/system/files/resources/how-to-label-chemical-waste-containers.pdf

Noted acids and bases stored on the same shelf. Please do not store incompatible chemicals together. Please refer to their SDS’ to choose proper storage.

Noted chemicals stored directly on the floor. Please ensure that all containers that are kept on the ground are either in a DOT approved carboy or have secondary containment

Noted flammables stored above sink on shelf without a lip. Please store chemicals away from sinks or in secondary containment if near a sink so their contents do not enter the drains

Noted a machine with a motor pluged into a power strip. Fixed at the time of inspection.

Noted inproperly labeled hazardous waste being stored in the corridor. Fixed at the time of inspection.

Noted chemicals stored on a shelf that does not have a lip. Please store chemicals on shelves with a lip to prevent falling. If lips cannot be installed, please use secondary containment for the chemicals so they do not fall during seismic activity.

Please make sure to log inspection and maintenance of equipment in the lab. Ex: https://www.ehs.washington.edu/resource/lab-equipment-maintenance-log-1241

Areas to Improve (2020)

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 related restrictions are likely to be in place for the remainder of 2020.

If you are a B4T member and have any EHS training that are expired, you need to update them as soon as possible. You will not be allowed to do experiments unless the trainings are up do date. Use the links above to see your training status, and use the lab member services panel (right side) to complete EH&S trainings.

Inspection recommendations:

Chemicals and solutions should be stored in bottles not flasks. Those not in active use should be closed with a cap/lid or put in sealed secondary containment that will prevent spills. Foil and parafilm are not acceptable.
Separate SOPs and storage are required for organic and inorganic acids
Annual self-inspections must be carried out

Areas to Improve (2019)

1) Complete your training documentation and update MyChem inventory AND contacts (lab members). Please log in to B4T using your main NetID and complete the documentation.

There is information on how to provide documentation for each of the items.

For those that need my signature, please leave them in PI’s mailbox.

2) please make sure any CONTAINER with your specimen, material or solution has been properly labeled. Proper label should include your name, date and materials. For example, the inspector pointed the seemingly blue solution in the beaker on the shelf and asked how everyone in the lab knows what to do if it spills. Valid point in my opinion. PLEASE LABEL ALL YOUR RESEARCH RELATED CONTAINERS. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE RESEARCH UNRELATED ITEMS IN THE LAB. PLEASE CLEAN UP AND TIDY UP AFTER EACH EXPERIMENT.

Areas to Improve (2018)

1- If you are a B4T member and have any EHS training that are expired, you need to update them as soon as possible. You will not be allowed to do experiments unless the trainings are up do date. Use the links above to see your training status, and use the lab member services panel (right side) to complete EH&S trainings.

2- Chemicals and specimens need to be labeled properly for storage. We cannot keep acids everywhere in the lab, all the chemicals must be stored based on their category in cabinets. Cabinets should be labelled for acids and flammables. If you work with chemicals, make sure all you chemicals are properly identified and listed in myChem of B162.

3- If glass is broken and needs to be discarded: use a cardboard box, label it with PI name and room number, and seal with “Laboratory Glass” tape or clearly label box as “Laboratory Glass.” We have cardboards in the lab, just remember this policy if you happen to discard glass.