Safety Resources

Autoclave Tutorials

Access video tutorials on how to operate an autoclave on the Purdue Biology YouTube Channel.

Integrated Safety Plan Information

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) explains the Integrated Safety Plan.

Important Forms

As part of the Integrated Safety Plan (ISP), the department conducts Integrated Safety Plan Self Audits Checklists. This is to review the current safety protocols/documents found in all areas (labs, shops, storage, and common areas) and to identify if new safety measures/protocols are necessary.

The Biological Sciences department audit is usually in April/May and self-audits must be complete within 6 months of the audit date. The biological sciences committee usually sends out the request for the self-audits to be completed in late January/early February.

1. The self-audits are first submitted to the safety committee to review.
2. After review, the committee will ask to abate/address any issues found on the self-audit forms.
3. The self-audits are then submitted to EHS, which then conducts the safety program audit. EHS then sends a list of deficiencies/issues to address. If there are no deficiencies or all the deficiencies have been abated, then EHS will recommend ISP certification renewal.

Integrated Safety Plan Self-Audit (please check the EHS website to make sure you have the most current version of this form).

Required Lab Posting Information Forms

In order to be in compliance with EHS protocols, all labs need to have the following forms and documents posted. Failure to do so may result in a violation/citation on the next building inspection or ISP audit.

1. Lab Door Posting (Form can be found on this page All Forms - Environmental Health and Safety - Purdue University)
   • Post on the outside of the lab entrance doors
   • Update every 5 years
2. Certification of Hazard Assessment (Form can be found on this page All Forms - Environmental Health and Safety - Purdue University)
   
   • Post on the outside of the lab entrance doors
   • Update every 5 years
3. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
   • Compile into a binder and put in the lab in an easy-to-access location, not a locked cabinet, drawer, or inner room.
4. Your Lab Chemical Abbreviation and Formula Key
   
   • Post somewhere in the lab, preferably by the entrance door.

Required Trainings and Certifications

All Principle Investigators (PIs), students, and staff need to take these training courses at the bare minimum. More training should be assigned depending on the research of the individual lab. For example, if the lab handles human blood or bloodborne pathogens, then bloodborne pathogen training should be required (bloodborne pathogen training can be found on the Health and Safety Institute (HSI) website).

All employees should have read through the Purdue Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), which gives a broad overview of the safety protocols and expectations of a research lab at Purdue, and have a copy of it in the lab.

Trainings can be found on the HSI website. As of 2023, HSI has replaced the training website VIVID. All the training previously on VIVID is now on HSI. All new employees receive login credentials in an email. If not found, contact Savannah at peter706@purdue.edu for access. Please do not self-register for an account.

Place printed copies of the training certifications below, along with a copy of the Purdue CHP, in a binder and keep it in an easy to find location in your lab. Check the EHS forms page for the most current version of the training forms.

1. Personnel Protective Equipment 
2. Chemical Hygiene Plan Training Certification
3. Lockout-Tagout 

Hazardous Waste Disposal

This EHS webpage details the specific process for the disposal of Biological, Chemical, or Radioactive waste.

Reporting an Injury or Near Miss Investigation Report

• If a Purdue employee (staff, faculty, grad student, undergrad student employed by Purdue) is injured in the lab, a First Report of Injury (FROI) form needs to be filled out.
• If the person is a student not employed by Purdue please fill out a report of injury form found on this page Report an Injury - Environmental Health and Safety - Purdue University

The near-miss investigation report can be accessed by scrolling down the EHS forms page.

Biology Safety Committee Contact Information

Questions may be directed to the Biological Sciences Department Safety Chair.