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Lab safety

Laboratory safety programs apply across many, if not all, campus laboratories. They are developed to ensure the health and safety of university members and to ensure regulatory compliance. The programs also set out the university's program-specific requirements as well as support education and training. The SFU Laboratory safety manual assembles key information from the SFU Laboratory safety program in a single document.

Inspections

A critical component of any laboratory safety management program is inspections.  Laboratory safety starts with the researchers who work there every day. Keep an eye out for potential hazards and if you see something that appears unsafe, don’t wait until a formal inspection to address it.

Monthly inspections

Principal Investigator or Laboratory Manager is responsible for organizing the monthly self-inspection of the lab and keep it posted near the entrance. To ensure diverse perspectives and attention to detail, it’s recommended that different lab members conduct the inspection each month.

Annual departmental inspections

The department conducts an annual lab inspection using Inspection Management Module. These inspections, where feasible, must include the participation of safety committee members. Safety Committees are responsible for ensuring the departmental lab inspections are being performed.  Copies of the department inspections should be requested and reviewed by the local safety committee.

Inspections Management Module

Inspections are performed using an Inspections Management module, available at: https://safety.sfu.ca/

User Manuals are available for Inspectors and Principal Investigators.

A video recording of a recent demo session is available here.

Radiation safety and biosafety inspections

Biosafety, radiation safety laser safety, and X-ray safety each require separate annual inspections particular to those program areas. These inspections are organized by EHS in coordination with the PI.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) mandate these internal biosafety and radiation safety inspections as part of the licensing process. Inspections must be carried out and the results kept on record, to be produced on request of the licensing agencies. Failure to comply can result in revocation of licenses for the entire University, resulting in the suspension of all research involving these materials.

SFU is subject to PHAC and/or CNSC inspection at any time, with little notice provided. All of the above informal and formal levels of inspections go into good laboratory practice. When all of the rules and regulations are adhered to, a surprise inspection by a licensing agency will be just another day in the laboratory.