# Lab Safety ## Lab Safety ![Lab equipment.](/sites/g/files/omnuum641/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-05/lab_safety.jpg?itok=11yyCnDe) ## expand\_more ## Summary How to ensure safety and regulatory compliance before, during, and after lab-related work. ## Who is this for? Labs and research. ## Lab safety at Harvard Help keep Harvard academic and research labs safe by: - Managing biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards. - Following safety policies and guidelines for lab equipment, materials, and activities. Review the [Harvard Lab Safety Policy](https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/websites.harvard.edu/dist/f/106/files/2022/10/university_safety_policy_2018-3-9.pdf) to learn about general safety principles, roles, and responsibilities for all lab work at Harvard. Labs work with EHS to prevent incidents and safely manage lab activities, equipment, and spaces. ### Lab Safety Officers Lab Safety Officers (LSO) are part of each lab's safety team. They prevent incidents and improve the lab safety culture through education, training, and support. New LSOs must complete [LSO orientation](/resource/lab-safety-officers "Lab Safety Officers"). ### EHS Lab Safety Advisors [EHS Lab Safety Advisors (LSA)](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") advise LSOs, facilitate safety committee meetings with LSOs, and help manage lab safety-related issues. ## Lab systems [### Assessment and Inspection Management System ](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system)Lab inspections and personal protective equipment (PPE) assessments [### Chemical Hazard Databases ](https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/chemicals-and-hazardous-materials#hazardous-workplace-chemicals)Safety data sheets (SDS) and other chemical safety information [### Chemical Inventory and Door Placard System ](/resource/chemical-inventory-and-door-placard-system)LabCup and LabPoint [### Chemical Waste Hazard Database ](/resource/chemical-waste-hazard-and-sink-disposal-tool)Chemical waste hazard designations and sink disposal restrictions [### eShipGlobal ](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=807e79ee4791a1906b944f53636d4387)Lab equipment and material shipping [### Harvard Training Portal ](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/catalog/browse/categ000000000002886?selectedTab=LEARNINGEVENT)Harvard lab safety training [### Waste Pickup and Supply Requestor ](/resource/waste-pickups-and-supplies)Chemical and reusable sharps waste pickups and supplies ## Lab materials biotech [### Biological Materials ](/biological-safety) science [### Chemicals and Hazardous Materials ](/chemicals-and-hazardous-materials) search [### Nanomaterials ](/resource/nanomaterials) microwave [### Radiation and Radioactive Materials ](/radiation-safety) ## Lab activities, equipment, and spaces door\_back [### Confined Spaces ](/resource/confined-spaces) precision\_manufacturing [### Cranes, Hoists, and Powered Industrial Trucks ](/resource/cranes-hoists-and-powered-industrial-trucks) electric\_bolt [### Electrical Safety ](/resource/electrical-safety) airline\_seat\_recline\_normal [### Ergonomics ](/ergonomics) fire\_extinguisher [### Fire Safety ](/fire-safety) checklist [### Lab Assessments and Inspections ](/resource/lab-assessments-and-inspections) emergency [### Lab Emergencies ](/resource/lab-emergencies) label [### Lab Labels and Signs ](/resource/lab-labels-and-signs) login [### Lab Move-in and Move-out ](/resource/lab-move-and-move-out) waving\_hand [### Lab Safety Officers ](/resource/lab-safety-officers) check\_box [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Templates ](/lab-standard-operating-procedure-templates) lock [### Lockout-Tagout ](/resource/lockout-tagout) adf\_scanner [### Makerspaces ](/resource/makerspaces) masks [### Personal Protective Equipment ](/resource/personal-protective-equipment) local\_post\_office [### Shipping and Transportation ](/shipping-and-transportation) delete [### Waste Management and Disposal ](/waste-management-and-disposal) roofing [### Working at Heights ](/resource/working-heights) ## Related resources Find documents and online tools for lab safety. [### Cold and Warm Rooms ](/resource/cold-and-warm-rooms)Perform experiments or store lab materials in cold and warm rooms [### Cold and Warm Rooms Poster ](/resource/cold-and-warm-rooms-poster)Printable poster for cold and warm rooms [### Construction and Renovation Design Guidelines ](/resource/construction-and-renovation-design-guidelines)EHS design requirements and guidelines for construction and renovation projects [### Lab Equipment Decontamination Form ](/resource/lab-equipment-decontamination-form)Form to decontaminate lab equipment [### Lab Fume Hoods ](/resource/lab-fume-hoods)Lab fume hood safety procedures [### Lab Offboarding Form ](/resource/lab-offboarding-form)Form to certify lab safety during offboarding [### Lab Pregnancy and Reproductive Health ](/resource/lab-pregnancy-and-reproductive-health)Pregnancy and reproductive health in labs [### Lab Safety Orientation Form ](/resource/lab-safety-orientation-form)Form to conduct new lab safety orientation training [### Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Drones in Labs ](/resource/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-and-drones-labs)Unmanned aerial vehicles and drones indoors in labs [ All lab safety resources arrow\_circle\_right ](/all-lab-resources) ## EHS support Contact [lab\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:lab_safety@harvard.edu) or your [LSA](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") for additional lab safety support, including: - Lab building system design, operation, and maintenance: - Emergency equipment and fire separations, detection, and alarms. - Fume hoods and ventilation, including fume hood certifications and work practices. - General and local exhaust ventilation systems. - Lab design review risk assessments. - Reviews of equipment supplied as part of lab infrastructure. - Snorkel exhaust arms. - Toxic gas delivery and monitoring systems. - Lab equipment and spaces: - Bunsen burners and hot plates. - Conservation labs and makerspaces. - Filming and photography in labs. - Lab storage, containment, and monitoring. - Plants in labs. - Lab safety training. See also:- [ Labs and Research ](/audience/labs-and-research) - [ Labs ](/topic-areas/labs)