EH&S conducts annual Lab Safety Reviews of all MS State research, academic, and diagnostic labs. These reviews aim to assess facility design, communicate critical safety guidance, and help ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Graded Lab Safety Review Checklist
It is important to note that EH&S Lab Safety Reviews are graded. In order to provide an objective score, safety considerations are ranked via a risk assessment matrix that evaluates the likelihood of adverse outcomes versus the severity/impact of an event.
- Severity/impact determinations are multifaceted, and key considerations include:
- Direct risk to the health and wellbeing of laboratory workers.
- Indirect risk to the local community, including public safety and environmental health.
- Risk of regulatory noncompliance that potentially disrupts standard operations, imparts fines, or promotes a negative public perception of the University.
- Based upon the risk assessment, safety considerations are graded in accordance with the following criteria*:
- Major Risk Considerations: Worth 3 points. Deficiencies have a high likelihood of adverse outcomes and have been determined to impart a high severity/impact.
- Moderate Risk Considerations: Worth 2 points. These considerations encompass a wide breadth of risk. Depending upon the specific nature of the issue, which may be further confounded by circumstantial considerations, the likelihood or severity affiliated with moderate risk deficiencies may vary.
- Minor Risk Considerations: Worth 1 point. Deficiencies are associated with relatively minor severity/impact.
* To help foster a robust culture of safety, EH&S strives to reduce year-after-year repeat issues. As such, points are doubled for any repeated deficiencies.
The comprehensive Lab Safety Review Checklist is intended to communicate key considerations that are evaluated during routine reviews. Pertinent considerations will vary depending upon the specific nature of the laboratory environment.
For assistance with identifying your particular lab classification, please review the MSU Lab Classifications Guide.
Lab Safety Review Procedure
- EH&S Specialists will request booking of a Lab Safety Review appointment with the responsible Principal Investigator, Laboratory Director, or responsible designee.
- Prior to the appointment, it is imperative for Principal Investigators or appointed responsible designees to complete the linked Lab Personnel Form to document all individuals who work in a lab under their supervision.
- Based upon the hazards present in the laboratory space, appropriate EH&S subject matter experts will complete the comprehensive Lab Safety Review.
- Upon completion of the review, a report will be issued detailing the findings. This report will notably include any noted corrective actions, resolution guidance, and the overall Lab Safety Score.
- EH&S will conduct a follow-up review approximately 30 days after issuing the initial report. The updated lab door signage will be provided during the follow-up review in order to reflect the applicable safety rating.
- EH&S may coordinate an additional review of any labs that do not attain lab safety ratings detailed below.
- In order to potentially increase lab safety ratings, labs may request an additional EH&S Lab Safety Review 3 months after the initial review. In order to request an additional Lab Safety Survey, please fill out the service request form linked below:
Recognition/Rewards
Labs that earn stellar EH&S Laboratory Safety Review scores will be recognized on their EH&S lab door signage. Rating schemes are as follows:
MAROON: Awarded to labs that achieve ≥95% safety scores.
SILVER: Awarded to labs that achieve 90%-94.9% safety scores.
BRONZE: Awarded to labs that achieve 85%-89.9% safety scores.
All labs that earn a Maroon rating, will also be issued an EH&S Excellence in Safety coin to commemorate their stellar achievement. Additionally, labs that achieve outstanding safety scores may be considered for other awards.