Safety
COVID-19 Safety
CLASSES
We are holding a combination of in-person, virtual, and hybrid courses this fall. Course caps have been adjusted as needed to keep with University and CDC guidance.
BUILDING SAFETY
You are required to wear a facemask at all times when in ME building common areas. This includes faculty and staff offices, hallways, classrooms, meeting rooms, and study areas. Hand sanitizer will be readily available throughout the building.
Training
New and current ME 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
Reporting Safety Incidents
Anonymously Report an Incident
Controller's Office Risk Management & Insurance Resources
DEHS Injury Reporting Procedures
What Should I Report?
- Report any use of a fire extinguisher to their LSO, who completes an LER and contacts the main office
- 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 on the lab floor to the LSO. Outside the lab report to DEHS
- Report and respond to any odor issues promptly
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
Hosting high school students in your lab? Read policies and procedures here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact:
General Questions and Concerns:
mesafety@umn.edu
Research Officer:
Dr. Tom Chase
612-625-0308
trchase@umn.edu
Radiation Officer:
Kelly Daigle
(612) 626-6940
daig0006@umn.edu
DEHS Contact:
Brian Andersson
612-625-8925
ander213@umn.edu
Resources:
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Disposing Chemical Waste
How do I know if my chemical waste is hazardous?
Your MSDS sheets will tell you if the chemical is hazardous or not. You can also check the chemical waste registry. If the chemical has a 05 NH DDC code it is non-hazardous. If you are still unsure, you should treat it as though it is hazardous.
I do not have the necessary MSDS data sheets. What do I do?
Any hazardous material can be disposed by following the directions here.
You are required to be able to readily access a SDS for your materials. These sheets usually come with the material when it is ordered. DEHS also has links to several SDS services.
https://dehs.umn.edu/safety-data-sheetschemical-information-search
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/faq/partd.html#paperless
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Lab Materials and Equipment
What is the maximum quantity of a combustible or flammable liquid allowed in my lab?
Your lab should have been built so that there is not more flammable storage cabinet space than allowed by code. You can use all the space under your fume hoods and any built in flammable storage cabinets.All flammables and combustibles should be stored in flammable storage cabinets. See the Flammable Hazard Class SOP for more information.
The maximum size for ANY container is 5 gallons (20 L). If you need to store flammables in a container larger than 5 gallons (such as a drum), contact DEHS at (612) 626-6002 for guidance. Small amounts of flammables (<1 L) may be left out in the lab. On a space-available basis, combustibles and containers <1 L should be stored in flammable cabinets. Halogenated organics which are not flammable are not required to be stored in a flammable cabinet. You may choose to put them there to control vapors on a space-available basis.
Do I need to have eyewashes in my lab?
A safety shower and eyewash shall be provided in each lab area equipped with a fume hood. An eyewash shall be provided in other laboratories using hazardous chemical or radiological materials. An eyewash shall be provided in a readily accessible location where BSL2 or BSL3 biological agents are stored and used. Regulations on eyewashes are available in the construction standard 13 00 12.
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Clean Up
How do I get rid of broken glass boxes?
The box will be picked up by custodians if taped shut.
How do I get rid of biohazardous waste?
Biohazardous waste can be brought to the ME dock.
How do I get rid of old equipment?
Old equipment can be disposed through reuse.
What do I do in case of a chemical spill?
You need to be prepared for such an event. Complete your lab specific emergency plan. The University has numerous resources to help guide you:
Chemical Spill Planning
General Chemical Spills
Emergency Chemical Spill Procedures
Non-Emergency Chemical Spill Procedures
Recognize Chemical Spills
Other clean up/disposal
View the FM Waste Guide for more information.
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Safety Training
Who is supposed to attend the safety training?
Attendance at our annual safety training is required for faculty, staff, teaching assistants and research assistants. If you are a new graduate student, you need to attend the initial safety training. In the following years, you still need to attend the annual safety training.