Permitted Individual (PI) Responsibilities

Principal Investigators and laboratory supervisors have primary responsibility for maintaining safe research operations in the laboratories, personnel and activities under their direction.

At the University of Missouri, a Principal Investigator responsible for locations where chemical, biological or radiological materials are used or stored is registered with Environmental Health & Safety as a Permitted Individual (PI). The Permitted Individual remains responsible for the activities conducted under their permit, even when day-to-day administrative responsibilities are assigned to a laboratory manager or delegate.

Required for Established Laboratories

• Keep laboratory worker rosters current in EHS Assistant. Add or remove workers as personnel change and assign the correct worker function to each person. 
• Ensure laboratory personnel complete required EHS training.
• Keep permitted laboratory locations current in EHS Assistant. Ensure the rooms where hazardous materials are used or stored are associated with the appropriate permit. 
• Keep Hazard Communication signage current and posted at every entrance to registered laboratory spaces where chemicals are used. Update the hazards, required PPE and emergency contact information in EHS Assistant, then reprint and post the sign whenever the information changes.
• Ensure chemical containers are properly labeled. Labels must be legible and identify the chemical and its hazard class. Peroxide-forming chemicals must also be dated, tested and disposed of within the required time-frame. 
• Ensure laboratory personnel follow MU’s minimum PPE requirements. Required protections include appropriate laboratory attire, closed-toe and closed-heel shoes, lab coats, protective eyewear and hazard-appropriate gloves. 
• Assess laboratory hazards and provide appropriate safety equipment. Safety equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained in working condition. 
• Submit hazardous-material waste pickup requests through EHS Assistant. Waste must be removed from the laboratory within six months after accumulation begins. 

Additional Requirements for Biological Laboratories

• Keep IBC protocols current. Changes must be approved before the modified work begins, and protocols for recombinant DNA and BSL-2 or BSL-3 work must be renewed every three years. 
• Maintain a current biological inventory and submit the required annual inventory. 
• Keep biohazard signs, labels and emergency notification information current. 
• Ensure biological workers receive required training and use appropriate PPE. 
• Maintain annual certification of biological safety cabinets. Contact EHS before installing or relocating a cabinet. 
• Report significant biological spills, releases, injuries, illnesses and violations.

Additional Requirements for Radioactive Material Laboratories

• Register and train each person authorized to work independently with radioactive material. Permit-specific training must also be documented. 
• Maintain permit-specific procedures and review them periodically. 
• Complete the semiannual radioactive-material inventory verification. 
• Maintain required radiation surveys and records. 
• Correct radiation inspection deficiencies and enter responses in EHS Assistant within 10 working days. 
• Renew the radioactive-material permit at least every three years. 

Delegation

A PI may designate a laboratory manager or delegate to perform administrative functions in EHS Assistant. The PI retains primary responsibility for the locations where hazardous materials are used or stored.