Before You Begin Work
Permitted Individuals (PIs) are responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, compliant laboratory. EHS will help you get started through a coordinated onboarding process and will provide the tools and guidance needed to manage your laboratory spaces, personnel, training, hazardous materials, PPE and other recurring safety responsibilities.
1. Complete PI Onboarding
Complete the Permitted Individual Application and submit it to hazmat@missouri.edu. The PI Transition Coordinator will meet with you and guide you through the onboarding process, including establishing your profile in EHS Assistant, assigning the appropriate Chemical, Biological, General or Radioactive Materials permits, registering each laboratory space where hazardous materials will be used or stored, and adding laboratory workers under the correct permits and Worker Functions.
Worker Functions determine which EHS training courses are assigned. PIs are responsible for keeping their laboratory locations and worker rosters accurate and current.
2. Complete Required Training
The PI and laboratory personnel must complete the training assigned through EHS Assistant before performing work requiring that training.
For laboratories using chemicals, the required general laboratory safety curriculum consists of:
- EHS301 – Analyzing Hazards
- EHS302 – Working Safely
- EHS303 – Laboratory Safety
- EHS304 – Hazard Communication
- EHS305 – MU-Specific Chemical Safety Training
These courses are required for individuals working in laboratories where chemicals are used and must be renewed every three years. Additional biological, radiological or task-specific training may be assigned based on the work performed.
3. Obtain Required Approvals
Obtain all required approvals before beginning specialized research:
- Research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules or work classified as BSL-2 or BSL-3 must receive Institutional Biosafety Committee approval.
- Work involving radioactive materials requires an approved Radioactive Materials permit and coordination with Radiation Safety.
- Work involving animals may require approval through the Animal Care and Use Committee.
4. Post Laboratory Hazard Communication Signs
Create and post a current Hazard Communication sign at every entrance to each registered space where chemicals are used. Signs must identify applicable hazards, required PPE and current emergency contacts. Update and reprint the sign whenever the hazards or contact information change.
5. Establish Your Chemical Inventory
Enter the laboratory’s hazardous materials into EHS Assistant and maintain an accurate inventory. PIs must submit an updated hazardous-material inventory annually. All chemical containers must be properly labeled, and incompatible materials must be stored separately.
6. Establish Waste-Management Procedures
Before generating hazardous waste:
- Obtain appropriate waste containers and labels.
- Train workers on laboratory waste procedures.
- Submit waste-pickup requests through EHS Assistant.
- Arrange for waste removal within six months after accumulation begins.
Waste supplies and pickup services are available through EHS Assistant.
Your Ongoing Responsibilities
Once your laboratory is established, you are responsible for:
Maintain Accurate Laboratory Records
Keep your laboratory locations, worker rosters, Worker Functions and delegate information current in EHS Assistant. Regularly review worker training records and ensure required training is completed before personnel perform hazardous work.
Enforce PPE Requirements
Ensure that your staff, students and visitors follow MU’s laboratory PPE requirements. This includes required laboratory attire and the proper selection, use and condition of lab coats, protective eyewear, gloves and any additional PPE needed for the hazards present.
PPE compliance is evaluated at the PI level. If any person in the laboratory is not following the applicable PPE requirements, the PI may receive a noncompliant observation.
Maintain Hazardous-Material Inventories
Keep chemical, biological and radioactive-material inventories accurate in EHS Assistant. Hazardous-material inventories must be reviewed and submitted annually, as applicable to the materials maintained by the laboratory.
Keep Hazard Communication Signs Current
Post a current Hazard Communication sign at every entrance to a registered space where chemicals are used. Update the listed hazards, PPE requirements and emergency contacts in EHS Assistant and reprint the sign whenever the information changes.
Participate in Inspections and Correct Deficiencies
Participate in required EHS inspections, review inspection reports in EHS Assistant and correct identified deficiencies within the established timeframe. Take steps to prevent corrected issues from recurring.
Properly Manage Laboratory Waste
Ensure laboratory waste is properly identified, labeled, stored and submitted to EHS for pickup. Chemical waste must be removed from the laboratory within six months after accumulation begins.
Maintain Biosafety Cabinet Certification
When applicable, ensure biosafety cabinets are certified annually and notify EHS before installing or relocating a cabinet.