Laboratory Safety Information and Resources
The following information is a partial listing of various safety sites and resources available at the University of Kentucky. All new students, staff, faculty, and visiting scientists in the Department should become familiar with this information.Please keep in mind that this is not an all inclusive list and that much more additional information is available by calling the different safety units, checking library sources, manufacturer information etc.
All lab personnel should review a checklist to make sure that they have received appropriate safety training.
University Safety Units
Environmental Health and Safety
Occupational Health and Safety
Hazardous Materials Environmental Management
Fire Marshal
Radiation Safety
Biological Safety
Office of the Attending Veterinarian
Environmental Health and Safety Index of Resources - https://ehs.uky.edu/site_index.php
| TRAINING INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Training Checklist | VERY IMPORTANT LIST THAT ALL NEW LABORATORY WORKERS SHOULD CHECK |
| Employee Safety Handbook | Developed for new persons but also a good review for others |
| Training Classes | Listing of various training classes available to lab workers |
| University Chemical Hygiene Plan | Lab workers must read this manual before beginning work |
| Biosafety Manual | Must be read by persons working with biological samples, infectious agents or recombinant DNA |
| Radiation Safety Manual | Must be read by persons working with radioisotopes, lasers, and other radiation sources |
| Hazardous Waste Manual | Must be read by anyone working with hazardous waste |
| Safety Videos | Videos available from Occupational Health and Safety |
| BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION | |
| Biosafety Manual | Must be read by persons working with biological samples, infectious agents or recombinant DNA |
| Biohazard bags |
Proper use of biohazard autoclave bags |
| Blood and body fluids | Cleaning protocols |
| Needles/sharps/glass disposal | Guidelines for proper disposal |
| Infectious agents | Resources and guidelines |
| Recombinant DNA | Resources and guidelines |
| Shipping Biological Samples | Excellant overview of BL1 practices from the University of Michigan |
| General Safety Practices | General procedures used in biological research labs |
| Spill procedures |
Biological spill procedures |
| Waste batteries | Disposal of spent batteries |
| Fluorescent light waste | Disposal of fluorescent lighting waste |
| GENERAL LABORATORY AND OFFICE SAFETY | |
| Lab Safety Alerts |
Descriptions of recent lab accidents |
| Accident reporting | Procedures for reporting accidents and emergencies |
| First aid assistance |
Procedures for handling emergency situations |
| Laboratory inspection guidelines | Form for self-inspection of laboratories |
| Safety Standards for Chemical Laboratories | Criteria for safety features in labs using chemicals |
| Grants and Contracts Checklist | Excellent checklist required before initiating research projects |
| Lab Security | Review of lab security protocols |
| Sewer Use | Review of use of sanitary and storm sewers |
| Compressed gases | Guidelines for safe storage and handling of gas cylinders |
| Cryogenic materials | Guidelines for safe storage and handling |
| Drinking water | Description of drinking water quality |
| Office ergonomics | Description of ergonomic issues |
| Lab ergonomics | Description of ergonomic issues |
| General Ergonomics | Description of ergonomic issues |
| Computer Workstation Ergonomics | Description of ergonomic issues |
| Lab Setup and Exit Survey Checklist | Provides details on setting up and closing a research lab |
| Surplusing Equipment | Guidelines on surplusing lab equipment |
| Air quality | Factors affecting indoor air quality |
| Extension cords | Official UK policy on use of extension cords |
| Microwave use | Official UK policy on use of microwave ovens |
| Recycle container use | Official UK policy on use and location of recycle containers |
| Corridor space use | Official UK policy on utilization of building corridors |
| Open flames | Official UK policy on use of flames on campus |
| Severe weather | Guidelines to follow in the event of severe weather |
| CHEMICAL SAFETY | |
| MSDS Sites | Listing of MSDS sites and use of information (kindly supplied by UK Chemistry) |
| Carcinogens | Listing of known and suspected carcinogenic compounds |
| Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary (LCSS) | Listing of chemicals which are incompatible |
| Hazard ratings |
Information on use of NFPA fire diamond hazard rating for chemicals. |
| Compressed gases |
Guidelines for safe storage and handling of gas cylinders |
| Flammable liquids | Guidelines for safe storage and handling of flammable liquids |
| Radioactive Material Use | Very useful summary for handling different isotopes |
| Chemical use by pregnant Lab workers |
Chemical use by pregnant laboratory workers |
| Peroxide Forming Chemicals | List of peroxide-formers |
| Perchloric Acid Use | Information and tips on using perchloric acid. |
| Moving chemicals | Guidelines for moving chemicals |
| Solvents | UK policy on solvents, forage and use |
| Mercury spills | Protocols for handling mercury spills and releases |
| Chemical spills | Protocols for hangling chemical spills |
| Free Chemicals | Chemicals available free of charge |
| SAFETY EQUIPMENT | |
| Glove selection guide | Listing of chemical resistances of various glove materials (a very useful resource) |
| Personal protective equipment | Information on choosing the appropriate protective equipment |
| Fumehood use | Guidelines for safe use of fumehoods |
| Eyewash/shower use | Guidelines for proper use eyewashes and emergency showers |
| Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers | How to properly select and use fire extinguishers |
| Respriator use | UK respiratory program and training |
| CHEMICAL WASTE AND DISPOSAL | |
| Hazardous waste | Information on what is hazardous waste and handling procedures |
| Hazardous waste | Additional information |
| Hazardous Waste Management Training Manual |
IMPORTANT information on handling hazardous waste (from UK Chemistry) |
| Needle/sharps/glass disposal | Guidelines for proper disposal |
| Biohazard bags | Proper use of biohazard autoclave bags (important guidelines) |
| Radiation waste | Guidelines for handling radioactive waste |
| ANIMAL WORKER SAFETY | |
| Occupational Health for Animal Workers | Important information and forms from the University Veterinarian |
| Animal Use Regulations | Information and forms on animal use in research and teaching |
| Animal Worker Training | Training available from the University Veterinarian |
