Laboratory Safety-Related Topics



			Work Instructions & SOPs • Biosafety Cabinets • Autoclave (Eng / Sp) • Centrifuge • Fumehood • Gel Electrophoresis • FACS • General Use SOP

Key elements for managing Hazardous Materials and Waste are defined in the University's Chemical Hygiene Plan. Hazardous materials include hazardous chemicals, biohazards and radioactive materials. Areas storing or using hazardous materials are required to complete a self-inspection of these areas on at least a quarterly basis and are subject to chemical inventory reporting requirements.

Chemical Safety - There are health (toxicity and exposure) and physical (flammability, reactivity, explosivity) hazards associated with chemical use with chemical labeling, handling, storage, and inventory reporting requirements that are mandated by local, state and federal regulations. General Use Standard Operating Procedures for Chemical Hazard Classes are available online.

BioSafety includes research involving known and potentially infectious agents, recombinant DNA and human gene therapy.

Health Physics and Radiation Safety - Information on Health Physics-related programs and Radiation Safety Manual are available on the University's website.

Laser Safety - Information on Health Physics-related programs is available on the University's website.

Gas Cylinder Management - Compressed gas cylinders contain hazardous materials. PDF documents with General Use information for compressed gas and cryogenics are available.

Universal Waste
Proper management and disposal of Universal Wastes is one of the items brought to our attention during the recent Santa Clara County Hazardous Materials and Waste inspection. Batteries, electronic devices, fluorescent bulbs, aerosol cans, and mercury-containing devices fall under the "UNIVERSAL WASTE" regulations.

Quarterly Lab-Shop Self-Inspections is a quarterly walk-through conducted by a department member with the objective of identifying any unsafe conditions in laboratories/shops that are using or storing hazardous materials or waste.