Laboratory Safety Inspections
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) conducts routine inspections of laboratories and other spaces where chemicals are used to ensure compliance with federal, state, and university safety requirements. These inspections are a key part of promoting a safe research environment and a strong safety culture at the University of Missouri.
EHS has recently updated the laboratory safety question set to reflect evolving best practices and regulatory expectations. In conjunction with this update, a new inspection format has been implemented for all laboratories registered with a chemical permit.
PI-Centric Inspection Model
Inspections are now conducted on a Principal Investigator (PI) basis, rather than room by room. All lab spaces associated with a PI’s chemical permit will be included in a single, scheduled walkthrough, allowing for a more comprehensive and efficient review of the group’s safety practices.
- Inspections will be scheduled in advance with the PI or a designated delegate.
- A lab group member will be asked to accompany the inspection team to facilitate real-time resolution of issues and answer questions.
This approach streamlines the process, minimizes disruption to research activities, and supports more effective, immediate engagement between research staff and EHS.
Areas of Emphasis
The updated inspection process places particular emphasis on:
- Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Adherence to minimum lab safety standards
- Chemical storage, labeling, and segregation
- Emergency equipment and access
Immediate Hazard Resolution
While most inspection findings can be addressed within the timeframe provided in the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) system, any issue deemed Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) must be resolved on-site during the inspection or immediately upon notification.
Inspection results are made available to Permitted Individuals (or their designees) through EHSA, the university’s centralized compliance management platform.