Laboratory Safety – Programs & Services
Please see below for information about the Laboratory Safety programs and services of most relevance to you.
Work Space
Information about the potential health risks of asbestos exposure, including the increased risk to smokers, and the Boston University/Boston Medical Center Asbestos Management Plan
Please also see:
Guidance to ensure that the University community is safe from fires and ensure compliance with the appropriate fire codes and fire safety regulations
Please also see:
- Fire Safety Do’s and Don’ts
- Fire Safety FAQs
- Fire Safety For Students On and Off Campus
- Fire Safety Resources
- Fire Extinguisher Use & Safety
- R.A.C.E. Fire Response Procedure
- Sterno Safety Guidelines
Procedures to ensure that a space is free of contamination prior to the relocation or disposal of laboratory equipment, the re-certification or relocation of a laboratory, construction or renovations within a laboratory, or the vacating of a laboratory
Please also see:
- Laboratory Decontamination and Decommissioning: In Depth
- Equipment Decontamination Information for Contractors and Facilities Workers
Guidance for transporting chemicals and hazardous materials between laboratories, between campuses, or off campus
Please also see:
Personal Protective Equipment, commonly known as “PPE”, is used to protect the body from chemical, biological, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, and other hazards that students, faculty or staff may encounter in an academic or professional environment. PPE appropriate to the task will be provided to BU faculty, staff, and students by their respective laboratories, departments, and/or supervisors. For additional information, refer to the resources tab at the bottom of the page or feel free to contact EHS at oehs@bu.edu.
An important philosophy to remember is that PPE is the last line of defense. OSHA, NIOSH and BU EHS suggest following the Hierarchy of Controls illustrated below to provide the most effective protection for faculty, staff and students 1.
Assessment of Hazards
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- Review the safety section of equipment and machinery manuals.
- Read Section 2 of the chemical safety data sheets (SDSs) used in your lab or workplace.
- Read the door placard before entering a laboratory (see figure below).
- Look for signage in lab or around machinery (see figure below).
- Research patterns or incidents of near misses, injuries or illness that have occurred in your workplace with materials or equipment that you are using.
- Communicate with current and former colleagues that are familiar with your operation.
- Reach out to EHS to perform a procedural risk assessment.
Once hazards have been identified, you, in collaboration with your colleagues, supervisor, and EHS, can identify PPE that will most adequately protect you. There are many types of PPE which can be used to protect from various maladies or routes of entry. Each type of PPE may have different makes or models, each with their own limitations such as service life or assigned protection factors (APF). APF helps determine if PPE will protect you based on the frequency, duration of work, and concentration of materials.
Examples of PPE:
For more information about respiratory protection visit this EHS Respiratory Protection Page.
Donning and Doffing
Donning |
Doffing |
1. First layer of gloves (if double gloving)* |
1. First layer of gloves (if you are double gloved)* |
2. Gown or lab coat |
2. Lab goggles or safety glasses |
3. Face mask or respirator (if any) |
3. Gown or lab coat |
4. Lab goggles or safety glasses |
4. Face mask or respirator (if any) |
5. Last layer of gloves (if double gloving) |
5. Last layer of gloves |
| *If double gloving is not part of your procedure, skip this step | |
When doffing disposable gloves, it is important to follow a specific technique to reduce probability of transferring hazardous materials to your bare hands. See the diagram below for guidance 4.
Use and Maintenance of PPE
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- Disposable gloves are SINGLE USE ONLY. Furthermore, if gloves break during your work, doff them correctly (see section above), wash your hands and don a new pair.
- Remove disposable gloves before reaching for commonly touched items. Items such as elevator buttons, stair railings and door handles should not be touched with a gloved hand. Always doff disposable gloves before exiting the laboratory.
- Do not wash body PPE with street clothing. Residual materials may stay on your street clothes when laundered with your body PPE. This could inadvertently expose your family and friends.
- If you can avoid it, do not bring PPE home. By keeping your PPE at work, you will reduce the likelihood of exposing your family and friends to dangerous materials.
- Always have spare PPE ready to use. Broken safety glasses or torn gloves are equivalent to not wearing protection at all. Never hesitate to throw out damaged or soiled PPE and get a new set.
- Inspect PPE for broken parts, rips, or holes. It can be hard to see damaged PPE during donning. Make sure you inspect your PPE one time before you enter a contaminated space or begin work.
- Make sure PPE is the correct fit. Similar to broken PPE, if the sleeves of your lab coat are too short or your nitrile gloves are too big, for example, your skin may be exposed, making you more susceptible to injury or illness.
- Store PPE in an area that will preserve it in good condition. Read the manufacturer instructions on how to store PPE. Keeping disposable gloves in a hot car or windowsill instead of a cabinet, for example, will degrade the nitrile/rubber and increase the likelihood of breakage during use.
Additional Resources
References
- “Hierarchy of Controls.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Jan. 2015, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html
- “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Sept. 2020, https://www.osha.gov/shpguidelines/hazard-prevention.html#ai1
- “Sequence for Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Sept. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppeposter148.pdf.
- “Glove Removal Procedure” WorkSafeBC, Workers Compensation Board of B.C., 24 November 2020, https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/ppe-information-sheets/glove-removal-procedure?lang=en
Information about medical clearance, fit testing, and proper use of respirators for employees, staff, and students
This toolkit is meant to provide quick access to information, guidance and helpful tips for the use of Eyewash and Safety Showers.
Additional guidance documents:
Work Practices
Boston University has a robust animal care & use program including the Animal Science Center and the IACUC. Please see the Research Support site for information on animal care & use.
Guidance about the safe use and risks of biohazardous materials and organisms, including all infectious agents or biologically derived infectious materials that present either a risk or a potential risk to the health of humans or animals, either directly through infection or indirectly through damage to the environment.
Please also see:
- Biosafety Levels
- Animal Biosafety Levels
- Boston University BPHC Permits
- Primary Containment
- Resources
- Special Hazards
- Shipping of Biological Materials
- Working with Biohazardous Materials
Guidance about evaluating the risk(s) of chemicals in use, developing programs and procedures to ensure that they are used in a safe and healthful manner, and supporting compliance with all applicable federal, state, and municipal regulations
Please also see:
- The Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Chemical Inventories
- Chemical Safety Equipment
- Design and Engineering Controls
- Formaldehyde Toolkit
- Highly Hazardous Chemical Program
- Medical Services and Surveillance
- Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals
- Safe Work Practices
- Additional Resources & Information
Information about programs in place to a) ensure compliance with Federal and Massachusetts law regarding the conduct of research with controlled substances and b) make better use of the University’s research and administrative resources
Please also see:
- Approvals & Getting Started
- Boston University Controlled Substances Program
- BU Contracted Vendor Websites and Phone Numbers
- FAQs & Resources
- Policies
Guidance to minimize environmental impacts and maintain compliance with environmental regulations in the University’s educational, research, and medical facilities
Please also see:
- Environmental Management Plan
- Biological Waste
- Chemical Waste
- Laboratory Waste Disposal Overview
- Pollution Prevention
- Radioactive Waste
- Spills
Boston University, Boston Medical Center, and its affiliates have a robust laser safety program to oversee the safe use of lasers in a variety of settings. The laser safety program is maintained by the Division of Medical Physics and Radiation Safety (DMPRS). The laser program at Boston University/Boston Medical Center is depicted by the organization chart below. If you have any questions or concerns about laser use or safety please contact the Laser Safety Officer.
LASER PROGRAM AT BU/BMC
Please also see:
- Introduction To Lasers
- Laser laboratory Setup at Boston University
- Operating a Laser at Boston University
- EHS Guide on Laser Pointers
- Laser Safety FAQs and Definitions:
- Working With Lasers
- Microscopes Containing Class 3B and 4 Lasers
- Forms
- Laser SOPs
- Laser User Training/Registration
Quick access to essential tools and information for Lab Safety Coordinators.
Please also see:
- Lab Safety Coordinators
- Roles and Responsibilities
- New Lab Personnel
- Lab Resources- Tools and Posters
- FAQ’s
For assistance during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM), please call 617-358-7688.
For assistance outside of business hours, please call the Control Center at 617-358-4144.
Boston University, Boston Medical Center, and its affiliates have a robust radiation safety program to oversee the safe use of all sources of radiation in variety of settings. The radiation safety program is maintained by the Division of Medical Physics and Radiation Safety (DMPRS). If you have any questions or concerns regarding the radiation safety program please reach out to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
Jump to information on the following within this section:
- Dosimetry
- Diagnostic Medical Physics
- Laser Safety
- Radioisotopes
- Radiofrequency (RF) Safety
- Radiation Safety Operational Forms Library
Or visit the Research Support site for additional information and policies:
Scientific Diving at BU includes scientific dives and snorkelers. Please see the Research Support site for information on Scientific Diving.