Laboratory Safety

Who needs training?

All new employees, interns, volunteers and students are required to complete the appropriate Right-To-Know (RTK) training. CBL offers two categories of RTK training: a science RTK developed to provide information for all who work in a lab, and an admin RTK developed to provide information for our admin staff. If an individual will only be doing computer work, the business office RTK will be used instead of the science RTK.

Please provide advance notice to the CBL Safety Coordinator of new personnel in order to get prompt appointments with the Safety Coordinator. No one is allowed to work in the laboratories without safety training.

What training is needed?

Laboratory personnel training consists of a 28-minute video – “Experimenting with Danger”. The Hazard communication standard will be reviewed. The individual will receive this prior to training and is expected to have read it beforehand. An open note quiz is given afterward. Anyone working in a laboratory environment will be given a laboratory safety tour – showers, eyewash, exits, fire alarms, hood use, etc.

Minimum Laboratory Safety Standards

• Safety data sheets must be kept and maintained in a binder neat the doorway.
• All exits must be unobstructed.
• All safety showers, eyewash stations and fire extinguishers must be readily accessible.
• Spill kits must be available to handle the chemicals in your lab.
• All compressed gas must be properly chained or strapped to the wall or bench.
• Gas lines must be labelled.
• All secondary containers must have GHS labels.
• Chemicals must be stored properly and below eye level.
• Emergency phone numbers must be posted near the phones and outside the laboratory door.
• No food, smoking or beverages in the laboratory or in the laboratory trash cans.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment is to be provided.
• Chemical Inventory list must be available and maintained.
• CBL maintains an online inventory for which you will be given a username and password to view the inventory. You cannot make any changes to the inventory.
• Emergencies:

In case of fire:

• Leave laboratory, closing door behind you
• Pull fire alar
• Call 911

In case of spill:

• Leave laboratory, closing door behind you
• Call x333 for maintenance

Laboratory Inspections

All research laboratories are inspected annually by the CBL Safety Officer and the CBL Director. Laboratories are inspected against a general rubric which is available below.