Laboratory and Shop Safety

RMS performs compliance safety inspections of laboratories and shop areas annually or on a need basis, to identify and promptly address workplace hazards. Inspections are driven by regulatory requirements and per request. The inspection process requires a responsible person knowledgeable of the workplace activities (e.g., laboratory personnel or shop workers). During inspections, RMS can:

• Observe work practices to determine any unsafe aspects
• Identify existing and potential hazards
• Establish procedures to eliminate or mitigate the hazards
• Examine workplace equipment and the safeguards in place

PREPARING FOR A LABORATORY INSPECTION

If you are a Principal Investigator (PI) or Responsible Person (RP) who has an upcoming lab inspection, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

• Ensure your chemical inventory is up to date with EHS.
• Ensure you and all your laboratory workers are current on any training (initial and refresher) needed for your laboratory.
• Review a list of all violation categories that are reviewed during an inspection (request the list from your Safety Specialist).
• Make yourself and/or a trusted laboratory manager/designee available for the inspection.
• Notify EHS if you have added or removed laboratory rooms and/or personnel since your last inspection.

RESPONDING TO AN INSPECTION

After an inspection, you may be required to:

• Provide an inspection response.
• Provide photo documentation of the corrected violations.
• Request an additional inspection.
• Correct Imminent Danger Violations.

IMMINENT DANGER VIOLATIONS

An imminent danger is any condition or practice that can lead to death, serious physical harm, or property damage if not immediately addressed.

Imminent danger violations noted during safety inspections are required to be corrected at the time of the inspection. If no lab personnel are onsite during the inspection, these violations must be corrected within 24 hours of receiving notification from RMS.