Health & Safety Manual - Laboratory Safety
Vision Statement
We provide expert guidance and timely service to the University Community through our commitment to health and safety. Employing best practices and collaboration, and by building long term relationships, we promote a productive and safety conscious work environment.
1.1 Introduction
Columbia University is committed to providing safe and healthy workplace conditions for all employees. The University is also committed to working in ways that reflect its deep concern for its neighbors and for the quality of the surrounding environment.
The goals of implementing the Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan include:
- Minimizing risk of chemical exposure
- Minimizing risk of work-related injury and illness
- Minimizing risk to the environment
- Compliance with applicable regulations and standards
- Achievement of goals with a minimum burden on research activities
- Ensuring that laboratory personnel are knowledgeable of safe and proper incident response procedures
Implementation of the Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan (The Plan) is intended to assure that laboratory and administrative personnel of Columbia University work in a healthy and safe environment and act responsibly toward our neighbors and the physical areas surrounding our campus. The Plan is intended to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations including the OSHA Laboratory Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.1450, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Emergency Planning & Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) Title 3 Chapter 10 RCNY, and other applicable codes.
The Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan deals with materials, activities and equipment present in research laboratories that can adversely affect the health and safety of workers at Columbia University. General safety procedures are outlined, while the Principal Investigator establishes specific procedures required for individual laboratories. All laboratory workers, including the Principal Investigator, the Laboratory Safety Manager, post-doctoral fellows, students, technicians and others who work in a laboratory environment, should read the Plan. Laboratory personnel are responsible for attending safety training offered by EH&S, maintaining prudent safety habits, and for conducting themselves in such a way that risks associated with hazards are as low as possible.
