EHS / Research Support and Environmental Compliance / Laboratory Safety
Primary Programs:
- Training (Laboratory Safety, Laboratory Manager Safety Presentation and Discussion, Anesthetic Gas Safety)
- Laboratory inspections and audits
- Licensing and oversight for use of Diethyl Ether, Prescription Drugs and DEA Controlled Substances
Other Programs
- Laboratory hazards identification and posting
- Evaluation of laboratory hazards
- Evaluation of accidents, injuries and near misses in research laboratories
- Consultation regarding risk of occupational exposures
Committee Service:
- FSU Aero-propulsion, Mechatronics and Energy (AME) Building Safety Committee
- FAMU/FSU College of Engineering Safety Committee
- FSU Materials Research Building / High Performance Materials Institute (MRB/HPMI) Safety Committee
- Campus Safety, Health & Emergency Management Association (CSHEMA)- Technical Committee
Policy: OP-G-5 Laboratory Safety
The following is a list of selected topics related to Laboratory Safety within the Laboratory Safety Manual. A more complete list can be found here.
Laboratory Safety
Laboratory Practices and Safety Equipment
General Laboratory Safety Procedures
Laboratory Security
Laboratory Construction and Design
Laboratory Equipment and Safety Equipment
Laboratory Moves
New Researcher or New Laboratory Setup and New Laboratory Personnel
Permanent Laboratory Closeout
Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing
Laboratory Ventilation
Emergencies, Injuries, and Accidents
Accidents and Injuries
Laboratory Fire or Explosion
Preparation for a Hazardous Materials Incident
Chemical Emergencies, Exposures, and Spills
Biological Spills, Contamination, Potential Infection
Radiation Exposure
Radiological Spills
Environmental Chemical Release
Exposure and Medical Monitoring
Training for Laboratory Personnel
Planning a Safe Experiment
Chemical Safety
Chemical Purchases
Chemical Storage
Chemical Labeling
Material Safety Data Sheets
Chemical Inventory
Transportation of Chemicals
Chemical Waste
Safe Handling of Chemicals
Highly Reactive Chemicals
Explosive Chemicals
Peroxide Forming Chemicals
Working with Particularly Hazardous Chemicals
Chemicals of High Acute or Chronic Toxicity, including Carcinogens
Reproductive Hazards, Teratogenic Agents and Pregnancy
Special Handling for Organic Solvents, Flammable Liquids and Corrosives, Heated Reactions
Organic Solvents
Flammable Liquids
Corrosive Chemicals
Chemical Reactions Requiring Heat
Compressed and Liquified Gases
Cryogenic Materials
Nanomaterials
Chemical Hygiene Plan
Safety Characterization of newly synthesized chemicals
Chemical Emergencies, Exposures, and Spills
Biological Safety
Pathogenic Organism Work at FSU
Working with Laboratory Animals
Human Blood and Body Fluids
Recombinant DNA
Environmental Samples and Field Work
Reproductive Hazards-Infectious Agents
Importation and Interstate Shipment of Pathogens
Biohazard Laboratory Inspections
Biohazard Signs and Labels
Biological Spills, Contamination, Potential Infection
Ethidium Bromide
Universal Precautions
Autoclave Maintenance and Testing
Biohazardous Waste
Other Biosafety Issues and Information
Radiation Safety
Laser Safety
Electrical Safety in the Laboratory
Regulated Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, and Ether
Laboratory Inspections
The Laboratory Safety Office offers the following training courses.
Lab Manager Safety Presentation and Discussion
This presentation provides an overview of all EH&S laboratory support and lab safety issues - including
- Chemical handling and awareness
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Chemical storage
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Biosafety issues
- Work with human cell lines, infectious agents or human blood
- Radioactive materials issues
- Laser safety
- Spills and decontamination
- Waste handling
- Safety training
- Food in lab
- Lab inspections
- Controlled substances
- and more
In addition to obtaining information about safety and compliance related to the above issues, participants are encouraged to discuss safety concerns and provide ideas for achieving safety and compliance goals. Please contact the Laboratory Safety Office at 644-8916 for information.
Laboratory Safety Training
Any employee working in a laboratory setting shall annually receive this training.
This training is covered by OSHA's Laboratory Safety Standard.
Topics covered include:
- Permissible Exposure Limits for OSHA regulated chemicals
- Methods to detect the presence or release of chemicals
- The Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Physical and health hazards of chemicals in the laboratory
- Methods to reduce employee exposure to chemicals
- Location of chemical safety reference materials (MSDS')
Lab Safety for your Research
An EH&S staff person will come to your laboratory or department to address questions specific to your research protocols. We will review with you the use of chemicals and biohazardous and radioactive materials in your laboratory, and discuss how you can protect yourself and members of your lab from exposures; how to handle spills; appropriate disposal of wastes; chemical storage issues; and answer any questions you might have. Please contact the Laboratory Safety Office at 644-8916 for information.
Anesthetic Gas Safety Training
This training is available online.
Halothane and isoflurane are used as anesthetics for research animals undergoing various medical procedures. During the procedures, small amounts of these gases may leak from the vaporizer equipment in surgical suites, potentially exposing researchers performing surgeries and other procedures. It is important that researchers are aware of the risks associated with potential exposure to these anesthetic gases. The Anesthetic Gas Safety Training is mandated for all researchers administering halothane or isoflurane to research animals outside of the fume hood.
One-time training is required by Environmental Health and Safety, Laboratory Animal Resources, and the Animal Care and Use Committee.