Lab Safety
The safe conduct of research at Iowa State University begins with the researcher.
Regulatory compliance, permits, personal protective equipment (PPE), safety training, emergency planning, safety manuals, proper waste management, and more resources are linked below to assist researchers in maintaining a safe and compliant laboratory.
The Laboratory Safety Manual serves as the overall guidance document and outlines appropriate practices, university policies and other regulations that must be followed in a laboratory setting.
If you do not find the safety resources you need, please contact EH&S at 294-5359.
Additional Resources
Policies/Resources
- Laboratory Safety Manual - governs work in all laboratories on campus
- Lab-related Publications - get more information
- Lab Safety Summit - recent summit topics
Services
- Biological Inventory - enter a list of biological hazards in the lab
- Chemical Inventory - submit a list of chemicals in the lab
- Chemical Redistribution - see if we have the chemical you need
- Unwanted Materials Removal - request a pickup
Forms
- Hazard Inventory - completed by all employees potentially exposed to hazards
- Lab-related Forms - find the form you need
- Laboratory Safety Survey - perform a self audit of your lab
- Setting Up a Laboratory - establish a safe and compliant laboratory
- Standard Operating Procedures - describe safety precautions for an experiment
Training
- Needs Assessment - determine what training is needed
- Training Curriculum for Laboratory Personnel - list of training for lab workers
- Site-Specific Training (form) - document training performed in the lab
- Training History (form) - document training for an individual
Emergencies/Accidents/Injuries
- Emergency Procedures
- Fire Safety Guidelines - prevent and respond to fires
- First Aid Policy - policy on providing first aid
- Treatment of Injured or Exposed Personnel - provide assistance to lab personnel
- Reporting Accidents and Injuries - how to report accidents/injuries
Hazard Information
- Biosafety Manual - additional requirements for work with biohazardous materials
- Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxins, and Teratogens - Are special procedures required?
- Gas Cylinder Guidelines - use compressed and liquefied gases safely
- Laser Safety Manual - additional requirements for work with lasers
- MSDS - get information on chemical hazards
- Peroxide-Forming Chemicals - handle these materials carefully
- Potentially Explosive Chemicals (PEC) - review a list of peroxide-formers
- Radiation Safety Manual - use of radiological materials and devices
Animals
- Animal Use - use of animals at Iowa State University
- Animal Dander - prevent allergies to laboratory animals
Equipment
- Autoclaves - decontaminate potentially biohazardous materials
- Biosafety cabinets - protection from biological hazards
- Unwanted lab equipment - get rid of equipment you don't want or need
- Fume hoods - protection from chemical hazards
- PPE - equipment you can wear to prevent exposure and injury
Permits
- Controlled Substances – requirements for purchase and use of controlled substances
- Shipping – materials must be properly classified, packaged, documented, and handled by trained employees
- Tax-Free Ethanol – training required to obtain tax-free ethanol
- USDA/CDC – permits for importing or transporting biological materials