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Lab Safety

In this section

Recognize, Assess, Minimize, and Prepare for Lab Hazards

Photo of a hand in a lab environment

There are a variety of hazards that may be found in a laboratory. Know the hazards of the materials you will work with. Read lab safety and experiment procedures, chemical SDS and agent biosafety summaries/practices before starting. Safety is everyone's responsibility. Don't allow yourself to become complacent over time. Consider others and maintain a clean working environment. Please email us at EHS@uhcl.edu if you need assistance with resources or information on requirements.

Lab Safety Procedures, Reference Information

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) (replaces Lab Safety Manual)

Hazard Communication Plan (pp. 64-71 of CHP)

Pregnant Lab Workers - Declaration Letter and Procedures

 

Research Applications

Student Researchers Policy & Procedures

Minors in the Lab Policy & Procedures

(for non-UHCL students, including 12th grade)

Visiting Researchers Policy & Procedures

Laboratory and/or Equipment Checkout Procedures

Chemical Labels 

All chemical containers must be labeled with the original manufacturer's label, or: 

  1. Replacement Label if the original container label gets damaged or becomes illegible.
  2. Secondary Container Label filled out with chemical name and hazards checked to meet Hazard Communication requirements. 
  3. Small Containers or Samples – can have one or combination of:
    • A label hanging on the container or attached using tape;
    • Logbook visible in the lab nearby with chemical name and hazards, when only sample number may fit on the container;
    • Acronyms list posted in the lab nearby with chemical name and hazards, when only acronym may fit on the container.

Chemical Labels & Labeling - Replacing original labels, labeling secondary containers (prepared solutions, samples), and Wastes.  See also Chemical Safety dropdown below for label Hazard Information.

Not Food or Drink Labels - Print on Avery 5160 return address labels and place on consumable items used for lab experiments.

Glassware

Inspections

Inspections are done within the EHSA software, with notifications emailed to responsible individuals.  Corrective actions are done by and entered into EHSA software by responsible individuals according to the inspection procedures outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

References

Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories - American Chemical Society publication

The Lab Safety Institute has compiled over 5,000 examples of accidents in labs for over 40 years. They have published these examples for purchase in bulk, or as a summary. Here is the index of other accident examples, and some of the worst in their 100 Years of Progress. Please contact x.2106 for access.

Lab Safety Training

See the Laboratory Training Matrix for what is required to conduct work in a UHCL lab.

Training Enrollment

Students taking laboratory courses utilizing chemicals are enrolled at the beginning of every semester in Lab Safety Training within Canvas.  Late registering students must email coen@uhcl.edu for enrollment. 

A separate Advanced Lab Safety Training course is given to TA's, RA's, Graduate Independent Studies, and Lab Faculty and Staff. 

Additional lab specific trainings are available as modules within the Canvas Lab Safety Training Topics course.

Training Courses

These training presentations may be taken in Canvas.  See the Lab Training Matrix for a list of what training and frequency is required for your lab.

Videos

Humorous Videos

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE may be purchased at the bookstore. If purchased elsewhere, it must match the same protection as those chosen for sale at the bookstore. i.e., same length lab coat down legs and long sleeves, same size and design safety glasses and goggles with indirect vents and Z87 impact rating.

Lab Coats

Lab coats must be full length to the knees with long sleeves.  Dental coats or doctors coats do not provide sufficient coverage.  A blend of polyester and cotton is recommended to retain both liquid and flame retardant properties. 100% polyester lab coats shall not be used with flammable or pyrophoric materials. 100% cotton absorbs chemicals more easily and burns hotter in a fire if they do catch fire. 

Safety goggles

Safety goggles with indirect vents are required for use with liquids, as the risk of splash and drip into the eye is present.  Safety goggles should fit the face well to provide a seal.  Safety glasses may be used with dry materials, and are chosen to provide the most coverage.  

Eye Protection Demo

Gloves

Gloves are not suitable for use with every chemical.  There are many types of glove materials.  Each type is compatible and incompatible with different materials.  Search by chemical for the recommended glove type, and then by the manufacturer for breakthrough time (length of time use) for that glove thickness.

Chemical Inventory

The UHCL Chemical Inventory is compiled within the OnSite Environmental Health & Safety Assistant (EHSA) software.  Chemical inventory is required by law annually, and serves several functions:

  1. To know what materials are present and assess their hazards
  2. A list of SDS needed, and repository to store SDS for reviewing hazards of chemicals used, hazard planning, training and first aid purposes
  3. Use for several agency reports (e.g., DEA, TCEQ, DSHS)
  4. Allow faculty to share or dispose of items.

EHSA Login

Chemical Safety

Chemical Hygiene Plan 2024 (replaces Lab Safety Manual)

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Login with your UHCL credentials to Search for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on the chemicals you will work with: https://onsite.uhcl.edu/ehsa/login?/showSdsHubSearch 

Go to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) page for additional information, and manufacturer's links to obtain SDS for your lab or chemical inventory.  

Hazard Communication

Chemical Labels 

All chemical containers must be labeled with the original manufacturer's label, or: 

  1. Replacement Label if the original container label gets damaged or becomes illegible.
  2. Secondary Container Label filled out with chemical name and hazards checked to meet Hazard Communication requirements.
  3. Small Containers or Samples – can have one or combination of:
    • A label hanging on the container or attached using tape;
    • Logbook visible in the lab nearby with chemical name and hazards, when only sample number may fit on the container;
    • Acronyms list posted in the lab nearby with chemical name and hazards, when only acronym may fit on the container.

Chemical Labels & Labeling - Replacing original labels, labeling secondary containers (prepared solutions, samples), and Wastes. 

Not Food or Drink Labels - Print on Avery 5160 return address labels and place on consumable items used for lab experiments.

Hazard Communication Plan (pp. 64-71 of CHP)

Hazard Information 

Chemical Compatibility and Storage

High Hazard Materials

Peroxide Forming, Potentially Explosive Chemicals (PEC's)

All peroxide forming containers should have a peroxide label on them. Labels and test strips are in the stockroom.  The storage area sticker should be placed above the shelf where peroxide formers are stored, in a flammable cabinet. 

Testing for peroxides is required, often annually, and before distilling or concentrating.  Failure to test and manage inventory can lead to a potentially dangerous explosive situation, and require dedicated costly high hazard stabilization waste disposal.

Old, unknown age, poor condition, or crystallized peroxide formers (inside bottle or under cap) should not be opened or moved as they may pose an explosion risk.  Notify Hank Grotewold@uhcl.edu for those high hazard waste pickup needs. 

HydroFluoric Acid

Controlled (Drug) Precursor Chemicals and Glassware 

Biological Safety

See below for Biological Safety Cabinet and Fume Hood use information.

Incident Reporting 

All incidents and injuries on campus or University business must be reported within 24 hours to EHS@UHCL.edu, and HumanResources@uhcl.edu as well for employee reports.

If you witness an incident, a witness statement must be submitted. 

Go to the Incident Reporting Forms section on the EHS Forms page for fillable pdf forms for employees, students and visitors, and witnesses.  

Forms Page

Safety Concern, Near Miss & Equipment Incident Report Form

In the same way accidents/incidents are investigated for actions to prevent recurrence, it is important to learn from near misses and eliminate unsafe conditions to prevent an accident from actually occurring. 

UHCL asks that all employees report and correct potential hazards concerns and near misses immediately to help prevent incidents and maintain a safe work environment.  Incidents that result in damage to equipment must also be reported within 24 hours.  Submit these reports to EHS@uhcl.edu. 

(Heinrich & Bird accident theory model illustration)(Accident theory model illustration by Heinrich & Bird)

Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) Software

UHCL uses this software to keep track of regulatory obligations, chemical inventories, SDS, etc. Login is the same as your UHCL user id and password. There is also a searchable database hub for SDS.

EHSA Login

Fume Hoods, Biosafety Cabinets

Labs may be equipped with chemical fume hood(s) and/or biological safety cabinets.  Here is information on safe work practices, how they work, and a decision matrix for selecting the right one.

Chemical Fume Hoods

Biological Safety Cabinets

Waste

Waste Labeling

Waste Documentation

Glassware

High Hazard Waste

Peroxide forming chemicals should have a peroxide label on them and be tested for peroxides per the chart (often annually) and before distilling or concentrating.  Failure to label testing and manage inventory can lead to a potentially dangerous explosive situation, and require dedicated costly high hazard stabilization waste disposal.
Old, unknown age, poor condition, or crystallized peroxide formers (inside bottle or under cap) should not be opened or moved as they may pose an explosion risk.  Notify Hank Grotewold@uhcl.edu for those high hazard waste pickup needs. 

Waste Training

See Biological Safety section for biological waste and autoclaving procedures.

Waste Pickups

Wastes are picked up at least twice a year from designated lab waste storage areas (in each building, not each lab).  Lab waste containers (<5 gal size) should be brought to the designated waste storage area within 3 days when full. Contact Hank Grotewold@uhcl.edu for questions or assistance.

Laser Safety

All class 3b and 4 lasers must be approved and registered with the state.  New laser proposals, locations, and authorized users must be requested by sub-registration application or amendment to the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) x.2107 to obtain prior authorization and training. 

Laser Regulations and Requirements

Radiation Safety

All radioactive source materials, locations, authorized users, and equipment containing sources must be approved and registered with the state on our license. 

Any changes in radiation source, use, equipment, locations, or users must be requested by Amendment application Form (below) to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) x.2107 for requirements review (training, procedures, setup) and subsequent RSO submission to the state (for most changes) to receive permission for an amendment to the present radiation license, prior to activities.  Expect at least a month turnaround time.

New activities, users, and equipment, PI's may petition via application below.  Expect longer turnaround time for review, controls, and application amendment with the RSO and state.    

Radioisotope Regulations

X-Ray Safety Program

All equipment producing x-rays must be approved and registered with the state. New equipment proposals and new authorized users must be requested by sub-registration application or amendment to the X-ray Radiation Safety Officer (XRSO) x.2107 to obtain prior authorization and training.

X-Ray Regulations

Contact

  • Environmental, Health and Safety

    Phone: 281-283-2106
    Email: ehs@uhcl.edu

    North Office Annex I
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 362
    Houston, TX 77058-1002


    Office Hours:
    Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.