Essential details for Lab Safety Awareness Week: Challenges open to lab personnel

The Environmental Health and Safety department within Purdue Administrative Operations is partnering with the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association in recognizing Lab Safety Awareness Week Feb. 10-14.

Campus researchers and laboratory personnel are encouraged to prioritize and foster a strong safety culture in their daily activities. The following highlights two challenges designed to engage lab personnel in promoting safety, along with details on this year’s topics that cover the importance of maintaining safe research and work environments.

Test your lab safety knowledge

To support Lab Safety Awareness Week, those working in labs are encouraged to participate in Environmental Health and Safety’s Fume Hood Clean-Out photo challenge. Lab personnel should plan to submit photos of their fume hood prior to and after cleaning. The first three labs to submit and meet all requirements will win a pizza party!

Photos should be submitted together through this online form before the end of the week. Only one submission per lab will be accepted.

All lab personnel are invited to participate in the Lab Safety bingo challenge. The first 25 participants to complete a bingo will win a free T-shirt! Download your bingo card here and submit your completed entry via email to researchsafety@purdue.edu.

Greenhouse safety

Greenhouses are essential for supporting research and educational activities. Ensuring doors remain closed is critical not only for maintaining proper temperature regulation but also for preventing pests from entering and disrupting the controlled environment.

Given their exposure to fluctuating environmental conditions, greenhouses require regular maintenance and inspections to promptly identify and address any signs of wear, deterioration or necessary repairs. Implementing these safety practices not only protects valuable research and educational investments but also fosters a secure and efficient environment for all users.

Makerspaces

Makerspaces are valuable for fostering creativity and innovation and require a strong focus on safety to ensure a secure environment for users.

Key elements include implementing safety-by-design principles, providing thorough user training tied to equipment authorization, and maintaining proper monitoring and access control. Supervisors should select equipment that meets safety standards, establish effective ventilation systems and design layouts to minimize risks. Users must complete documented training, and facilities can enhance safety by integrating card-swipe access tied to training. Accessible standard operating procedures should be available for all equipment, highlighting specific hazards and controls.

Administrative Operations supports the university through safe, reliable and transformative services. Fostering a strong culture of laboratory safety by sharing best practices, providing essential resources and encouraging proactive risk management is just one of the many ways the organization powers Purdue.

Downloadable 8.5-by-11-inch flyers that summarize and expand on these safety actions are available on the Environmental Health and Safety website.

Questions about laboratory safety and related topics may be directed to the department at 765-494-6371 or researchsafety@purdue.edu.