CEGE Safety

Training

New and current employees can access various safety training materials, including:

• Introduction to research safety
• Chemical safety
• Chemical waste management
• In-person lab specific training
• Biosafety
• Fluid power safety
• Machine shop safety

Training

Reporting Safety Incidents

Anonymously Report an Incident
Controller's Office Risk Management & Insurance Resources
DEHS Injury Reporting Procedures

What Should I Report?

• Report and respond to any odor issues promptly.
• Report any use of a fire extinguisher. After extinguishing:
  • Notify your supervisor of the incident
  • Notify University Health and Safety 626-6002
  • Report the use of the fire extinguisher to Facilities Management at (612) 624-2900 so it can be recharged
• Complete a first report of injury (FROI) form for any injuries to PAID employees that are injured at work
  • Slipping on ice, carpal tunnel, and headaches from odors are all reportable. See the policy here.

• Report any hazardous spill that occurs in the lab or building. There are three types of chemical spills that may occur in the laboratory:
  • emergency spills
  • non-emergency spills requiring assistance from UHS, and
  • non-emergency spills that laboratory personnel can cleanup.
• An emergency chemical spill is a spill that threatens human health and/or the environment because of its chemical properties and/or volume of material spilled, and requires emergency personnel response. Examples of an emergency chemical spill include:
  • Spill that causes a serious injury
  • Spill that involves a fire and/or explosion
  • Spill involving a high hazard chemical such as a pyrophoric, dangerous when wet, acutely toxic material, or an unknown chemical
  • Spill is large (generally > 1 liter)
  • Spill involving a hazardous material in a public space such as a hallway or classroom
• In the event of an emergency chemical spill, the following procedures must be followed:
  • 1. Cease all activities, isolate the spill, and notify others in the immediate area of the spill.
  • 2. Evacuate the area.
  • 3. Activate the closest fire pull station (where present) if building evacuation is required (i.e., the spill could endanger others outside of the immediate area).
  • 4. Dial 911. Provide details to the dispatcher such as the extent of any injuries that may be involved, name and volume of chemical spilled, and the exact location of the spill.
  • 5. Attend to any persons who may have been exposed or injured by following first aid procedures.
  • 6. Provide pertinent information to emergency response personnel upon arrival.
• A non-emergency chemical spill
  • can be cleaned up by lab personnel
  • is a small spill (generally < 1 liter) that is contained
  • involves a chemical that lab personnel are qualified to handle, and
  • does not threaten human health and/or the environment.
• In the event of a non-emergency chemical spill that can be cleaned up by laboratory personnel, the following procedures must be followed:
  • 1. Review the safety data sheet for the chemical spilled to evaluate the hazards. Contact UHS (612-626-6002) if you have questions or need advice.2. 
  • 2. If the spill involves flammable material, remove all potential sources of ignition.
  • 3. Don the appropriate PPE based on the hazards of the chemical spilled. Make sure that you select PPE that resistant to the chemical.
  • 4. Control and clean up the spread of the spill by placing absorbent materials such as pads or a neutralizing agent (e.g., soda ash or sodium bicarbonate for acids and citric acid or ascorbic acid for bases) on and around the spill.
  • 5. Collect all spill cleanup material, place into a plastic bucket or other suitable container, and submit to the Regulated Waste Division for proper disposal.

Forms and Templates

• Emergency Procedures List
• New Employee Safety Form
• Teaching Lab Safety Form
• Laboratory Audit Checklist
• Lab Specific Safety Plan Toolkit
• Example map of a lab and emergency shutoff diagram
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) example

Frequently Asked Questions