Lab Safety: Lab Inspections and Safety Training

March 8, 2016
Lab Safety: Lab Inspections and Safety Training2022-07-05T06:13:43-07:00

The USC Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) will be conducting laboratory safety inspections starting this month. They could arrive at your laboratory without warning! To help you better prepare for this visit, please go to the USC EH&S links below and review the list of items they will be checking for in your laboratory.

For Lab Safety Questions and Concerns, contact: labsafety@usc.edu

Annual Safety Training Refresher

It is time again for your Laboratory Safety Refresher Training. EH&S sent a reminder memo to all faculty on January 29 with instructions. What to do:

  • Complete annual refresher training for all faculty and staff
  • Update your chemical inventory online
  • Select all suggested safety topics listed on the memo attachment that are relevant to your research and operations.
  • Use the checklist/table on the following pages to mark off the safety topics you cover and use the attached Site Specific Training Record (SSTR) to document attendance.
  • Submit your completed safety topic checklist and SSTR to EH&S via email to labsafety@usc.edu
  • Deadline for training completion is March 29, 2016.

If you or your staff do not currently work with any hazardous materials, please review safety procedures for your work group (e.g., exit routes, fire assembly locations, injury reporting processes), and document the training to satisfy OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Program requirements.

If you have questions on the attached memo or safety concerns, please contact labsafety@usc.edu or call (323) 442-2200.

PPE STANDARDS

  • You must wear either full-length pants or clothing that otherwise fully covers the legs and ankles, as well as closed toe/heel shoes.
  • You must wear an appropriate laboratory coat, ANSI-approved protective eyewear, and other appropriate PPE equipment when work with hazardous materials is being performed.
    • Laboratory coats must be appropriately sized and fitted for the worker.
    • Laboratory coats must be buttoned/snapped to their full length.

Failure to meet these standards will prohibit individuals from entering or working in a facility containing hazardous materials and may result in corrective action.

OTHER SAFETY STANDARDS

  • No food/drink/gum in lab.
  • The lab should be kept clean.
  • Hazardous waste should be disposed of appropriately.
  • Be aware of what to do in case of emergency.