Annual Laboratory Safety Inspections

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is dedicated to ensuring a safe and compliant environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. In accordance with regulatory requirements set forth by the CDC, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and other federal and local authorities, EH&S conducts annual inspections of all laboratory spaces where hazardous materials are present. These inspections are federally mandated and are a critical component of our institutional compliance program. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to ensure full adherence to all applicable safety regulations. Participation in these inspections and correction of any identified deficiencies is mandatory for all research personnel.

EH&S strongly recommends that principal investigators conduct quarterly self-inspections of their laboratories, including all associated research support areas such as common rooms, cold rooms, and storage spaces. To support this effort, EH&S provides a self-inspection checklist. If any concerns arise during these self-assessments – or at any time – laboratories are encouraged to request an EH&S consultation. During these visits, an EH&S inspector will review the space, identify any potential hazards or compliance issues, and guide corrective actions.

The annual laboratory inspection includes both a physical walkthrough of the laboratory space and a review of written and programmatic safety elements by EH&S personnel. This encompasses the evaluation of administrative documents, including the Annual Laboratory Hazard Registration Form (ALHRF), Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and training records.