# Lab Safety Officers ## Summary Lab Safety Officer (LSO) responsibilities and resources, including new LSO orientation. ## Who is this for? LSOs. ## Lab Safety Officers at Harvard LSOs are lab members who help Principal Investigators (PI) implement Harvard safety requirements and programs in their labs. Once you are assigned as your lab’s LSO, contact your [Lab Safety Advisor (LSA)](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") for LSO orientation. As part of your orientation, your LSA will review these resources with you. Open all sections Close all sections ### Responsibilities expand\_more - Help implement Harvard safety requirements in your lab. - Be a primary liaison between your lab and EHS. - Foster a strong safety culture by promoting safe work practices, proper use of PPE and engineering controls, and prompt reporting of incidents and near misses. - Support routine lab safety inspections and follow-up on corrective actions. - Attend safety committee meetings. - Ensure that lab members complete required safety training and that their training is documented. - Maintain current lab documentation, such as door placards, inventories, and lab rosters. - Notify your LSA before changing or adding LSOs. ### Weekly - Inspect satellite accumulation areas (SAA). - Flush eyewashes. ### Annually - Attend annual lab inspections with EHS. - Update and post PPE assessments. - Reconcile chemical inventories. - Print and post new door placards. ### As needed - Report incidents and potential safety issues to your PI, supervisor, core managers, and EHS. - Help onboard new lab members. - Help develop, communicate, and review lab-specific standard operating procedures (SOP) and emergency procedures. - Distribute relevant EHS safety information to lab members. ### Emergency preparedness expand\_more - Ensure that lab members know [how to respond to accidents and incidents](/resource/lab-emergencies "Lab Emergencies"). - Use [LabCup](/resource/chemical-inventory-and-door-placard-system "Chemical Inventory and Door Placard System") to manage door placards and room inventories. Door placards communicate lab-specific hazards. - Display [lab emergency contact posters](/resource/lab-emergencies "Lab Emergencies") in clearly visible locations throughout your lab. - Make sure all lab members can access the [Lab Emergency Response Guide](/resource/lab-emergency-response-guide "Lab Emergency Response Guide"). Keep a physical copy in your lab or keep a digital copy online that is accessible to all lab members. ### Lab rosters and safety training expand\_more Use [PeopleSoft](https://peoplesoft.hrapps.harvard.edu/) to view your lab roster, add and remove lab members, and assign core safety training. Use the [Harvard Training Portal (HTP)](http://trainingportal.harvard.edu/) to view your lab members, assign any additional training, and see if lab members are overdue for required training. After you become an LSO: - Log in to PeopleSoft and ensure you can access your lab roster. - Confirm that all necessary core HTP trainings are assigned to your lab roster. - Assign any additional HTP trainings based on your lab’s hazard profile (such as enclosed laser training or makerspace safety training). - Ensure that lab members meet current training requirements. - Review [PeopleSoft: Managing Lab Rosters](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/mycontribution/Files/simrs000000000012024?searchContext=true&searchText=lab%20roster) and [EHS Lab Roster Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/mycontribution/Files/simrs000000000003880?searchContext=true&searchText=lab%20roster). Contact for help with HTP. SortRequired core lab safety training and refresher courses in HTP.MaterialRequired Core TrainingRefresher Training and FrequencyBiological materials [LAB103 Laboratory Biosafety](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003204) [LAB203 Laboratory Biosafety Refresher](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003261) (annually) Chemicals [LAB100 General Laboratory Safety](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003203) [LAB200 General Laboratory Safety Refresher](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003260) (annually) Lasers [RPO102 Laser Safety Training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail/cours000000000003166?regId=regdw000000000725752&context=user&learnerId=emplo000000000595683&returnurl=catalog%2Fsearch%3FsearchText%3Dlaser%20safety%20training%2526filter%3D%7B%7D) (only assigned in HTP) [RPO202 Laser Safety Refresher](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003239) (every two years and only assigned in HTP) Enclosed Laser Instruments [RPO104 Enclosed Laser Instruments Safety](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003167) No refresher Radioactive materials [RPO101 Radioactive Materials Safety](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003165) [RPO201 Radioactive Materials Safety Refresher](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003238) (every two years) ### New lab member orientation expand\_more Review the [Lab Safety Orientation Form](/resource/lab-safety-orientation-form "Lab Safety Orientation Form") with new lab members before they begin work. The form includes safety resources and lab-specific safety procedures. After you become an LSO: - Confirm where your lab stores lab safety orientation forms. They are usually in an easily accessible lab safety binder with other safety documents. If your lab keeps digital copies of forms, ensure you have ownership or can access the files. - Ensure each lab member completes and signs a lab safety orientation form. Keep signed forms on file for each member using the lab. - Share a digital copy of the form with new lab members so that they can access the links in the document. ### Lab safety inspections expand\_more Use the [Assessment Inspection Management System (AIMS)](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system "Assessment and Inspection Management System") to view inspection reports, manage inspection corrective actions, and conduct PPE assessments. After your LSA adds you to AIMS as an LSO for your lab: - Bookmark AIMS and log in to review your lab information and inspection reports. - Review your PPE assessments and ensure your current PPE assessment is posted in your lab space. - Review how to [manage and close corrective actions](https://ss-labcliq.s3.amazonaws.com/public/harvard/1/managing_corrective_actions_user_guide_20231.pdf), [conduct PPE assessments](https://ss-labcliq.s3.amazonaws.com/public/harvard/1/conducting_lab_ppe_assessments_user_guide_20231.pdf), and [prepare for your annual lab safety inspection](/resource/lab-assessments-and-inspections "Lab Assessments and Inspections"). ### Chemical inventory and door placard system expand\_more Use [LabCup](/resource/chemical-inventory-and-door-placard-system "Chemical Inventory and Door Placard System") to manage your lab’s chemical inventory and door placards. Labs must maintain accurate chemical inventories and complete annual inventory reconciliation. LabCup also uses your chemical inventory to populate chemical hazards for door placards. After your LSA adds you to LabCup as a Group Administrator for your lab: - Bookmark LabCup and [Chemical Inventory Management System](https://hu.sharepoint.com/sites/ChemicalInventoryManagementSystem). - Register for [LabCup Group Administrator Training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail/cours000000000048108?regId=regdw000000001798039). - Review your lab’s chemical inventory and chemical storage locations. - Update your door placards with your contact information. Once updated, print and post the new door placards. Contact for help. If your group is not onboarded in LabCup, keep using [LabPoint ](https://ehs.labpoint.sph.harvard.edu/)to: - Create and update door placards with chemical, biological, and radiological hazard pictograms. - Manage your chemical inventory. To learn more, follow the [LabPoint User Guide](/resource/labpoint-user-guide "LabPoint User Guide"). Contact your [LSA](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") to register for LabPoint. ### Biological materials and recombinant DNA expand\_more Labs must register all work with [biological materials or recombinant DNA](/biological-safety "Biological Safety") with the Harvard Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS). If your lab works with biological materials or recombinant DNA: - Contact your [Biosafety Officer (BSO)](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers"). - Locate where your lab stores biological safety documents. They are usually in an easily accessible binder with other safety documents. This includes documents like Hepatitis B forms, Exposure Control Plans (ECP) (reviewed and signed annually), and COMS approval letters. - Confirm with your PI if you are a COMS PI Designee. - If your lab is registered with COMS, confirm that your registration covers all current research. Review [COMS regulated materials](https://hms.harvard.edu/departments/committee-microbiological-safety/registering-coms/coms-policies/coms-policy-introduction) and [how to register with COMS](/resource/biological-project-registration "Biological Project Registration"). - Add new lab members to your COMS protocol (if applicable). - Review and bookmark the [Biosafety Manual](https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/resource/biosafety-manual), [ECP template](https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/resource/exposure-control-plan-template), [eCOMS system](https://compliance.hms.harvard.edu/COMSIACUC), and [eCOMS User Guide](/resource/ecoms-user-guide "eCOMS User Guide"). ### Radiation and radioactive materials expand\_more [Radiation safety](/radiation-safety "Radiation Safety") applies to labs that work with radioactive materials, including: - Radioactive materials. - Ionizing radiation generating devices, such as fusors, X-rays, electron beams, or ultraviolet radiation. - Non-ionizing radiation generating devices, such as lasers, radiofrequency, microwave, terahertz, or intense light sources. - Devices that produce magnetic fields, such as rare earth magnets, magnetic resonance imaging, or nuclear magnetic resonance. If your lab works with these materials: - Ensure your materials or equipment are properly registered and permitted. - Review SOPs related to any permitted devices or materials. Ensure all information and contacts are accurate. - [Review past inspections of your group’s devices or spaces.](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system "Assessment and Inspection Management System") Contact [radiation\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:Radiation_Safety@harvard.edu) for help with radiation and radioactive materials. ## Lab safety resources Familiarize yourself with these lab safety resources. Open all sections Close all sections ### Chemical safety expand\_more - [Chemical Hygiene Plan](/resource/chemical-hygiene-plan "Chemical Hygiene Plan"). - [Chemical storage](/resource/lab-chemical-storage "Lab Chemical Storage"). - [Lab chemical safety guidelines](/lab-chemical-safety-guidelines "Lab Chemical Safety Guidelines"). - [Lab SOP templates](/lab-standard-operating-procedure-templates "Lab Standard Operating Procedure Templates"). - [Labeling requirements for hazardous chemical containers](/chemicals-and-hazardous-materials "Chemicals and Hazardous Materials"). - [Safety data sheets (SDS)](/chemicals-and-hazardous-materials "Chemicals and Hazardous Materials"). ### Lab safety expand\_more - [Annual lab safety inspections](/resource/lab-assessments-and-inspections "Lab Assessments and Inspections"). - [Lab ergonomics](/ergonomics "Ergonomics"). - [Lab labels and signs.](/resource/lab-labels-and-signs "Lab Labels and Signs") - [Lab move-in and move-out](/resource/lab-move-and-move-out "Lab Move-in and Move-out"). ### Waste disposal expand\_more - [Biological waste](/resource/biological-waste "Biological Waste"). - [Chemical waste label hazard designations](/resource/chemical-waste-hazard-and-sink-disposal-tool "Chemical Waste Hazard and Sink Disposal Tool"). - [Disposal restricted waste](/resource/disposal-restricted-waste "Disposal Restricted Waste"). - [Radiation waste](/resource/radiation-waste "Radiation Waste"). - [Requesting chemical waste pickups and services](/resource/waste-pickups-and-supplies "Waste Pickups and Supplies"). - [Satellite accumulation areas (SAA)](https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/node/711#waste-storage-disposal). - [Sharps disposal](/resource/sharps-disposal "Sharps Disposal"). - [Universal waste](/resource/universal-waste "Universal Waste"). ## EHS support Contact [lab\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:lab_safety@harvard.edu) or your [LSA](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") for more information about lab safety at Harvard. See also:- [ Labs ](/topic-areas/labs) - [ Lab Move-in and Move-out ](/topic-areas/lab-move-and-move-out) - [ Lab Safety Officer Orientation ](/topic-areas/lab-safety-officer-orientation) - [ Labs and Research ](/audience/labs-and-research)