New Researcher Guide

General

Become familiar with general policies, procedures and guides associated with laboratory safety. See the Laboratory Safety Sections and the Safety Manual for details.

• EHS website

Laboratory Safety Policy

Become familiar with the campus Laboratory Safety Policy.

• UTK Laboratory Safety Policy (LS-001)

Become familiar with Potential Hazards

Discuss potential hazards to be created or encountered by the work or the work environment. The Lab Safety Policy and the Lab Commissioning Procedure that follows will specifically indicate additional hazards and hazard classes in greater detail. Some have specific programs, plans, and procedures that may be found through EHS resources.

Please consider and indicate the following general areas:

• See Lab Safety Policy above and Commissioning Procedure below.

Hazardous substances:

(poisons, explosives, oxidizers, flammables, highly reactive substances, carcinogens, corrosives, irritants, and compressed gases, etc.)

Physical Hazards:

(Shop environments and tools, heavy equipment, mechanical, ergonomic/materials handling, electrical, pressurized systems, temperature extremes, noise in excess of 85dBA, non-ionizing radiation, adverse working environments)

Perform Lab Commissioning Procedure

Using the Lab Commissioning Form in Appendix C, complete the checklist and follow any indicated guidance.

This will include aspects such as:

Door placards, hazards assessments, chemical inventory, chemical hygiene plans, etc.

• UTK Laboratory Decommissioning and Commissioning Procedure
• Appendix C: Commissioning Procedure

Training

Become familiar with training requirements as outlined in the UTK Laboratory Safety Policy (LS-001).

Ensure that General Lab Safety Training is completed

Ensure Lab specific Training is completed.

Consult EHS as necessary.

• UTK Laboratory Safety Policy (LS-001)