If you are doing laboratory work involving hazardous substances that will occur continuously or overnight -- when no one is present --  you need to fill out this Unattended Operations form. Place the form on your laboratory door for reference by emergency responders.

Biosafety cabinets afford the best protection and are more effective when maintained and used properly. To accomplish this goal, it is necessary that:

There are three classes of BSCs:

Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs), or biosafety cabinets, are primary containment devices utilized in laboratories for the handling of biohazardous agents. They are routinely used for a wide variety of applications, such as human and animal tissue culture, bacterial and viral work, transfection or infection of cells with recombinant DNA (rDNA), clinical sample manipulation, and animal care.

As a lab supervisor, you have a responsibility to maintain a safe and productive lab, and manage liability as an employer. The best way to do this is to participate fully in the UVM Lab Safety Plan and document your participation. There are four basic components of this participation: leadership, delegation, administration and follow-up. We have compiled a list of general guidelines to follow for each of these areas.

Leadership:

Laboratory buildings vary widely across campus. Thus, it's essential for laboratory staff to understand each building's unique features. Standardized features across all lab buildings include:

• Fire alarm pull stations 
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Eyewash, drench hose and/or safety shower units

Fume Hood Operations

The chemical fume hood "tell-tale" indicates air is being drawn through the hood's sash opening at the proper speed.

All lab workers should be as alert as possible to a potential unusual situation or emergency.  Therefore the following guidelines apply:

• Personal listening devices that require the use of two earplugs are NOT recommended in the laboratory.
• Cell phones should NOT be used while handling hazardous materials.
• Radios and CD players are appropriate if they are played through speakers into the general laboratory room.

Laboratory buildings vary widely across our campus and it is important for laboratory staff to understand each building's unique features. Standardized features across all lab buildings include:

• Fire alarm pull stations 
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Eyewash, drench hose and/or safety shower units

The Chemical Spill Kit is distributed by Environmental Health and Safety and contains two absorbent gray pads, as well as nitrile gloves, Ziploc bags, waste tags and instructions for use. The kit must be kept full and in clear view at all times, and all laboratory workers must be trained in its proper use.