Lab Safety Officer Orientation
Summary
How to start lab safety orientation for new Lab Safety Officers (LSO).
Who is this for?
New LSOs.
New Lab Safety Officers
Principal Investigators (PI) appoint LSOs to their lab’s safety team. LSOs support their lab by improving lab safety culture and preventing incidents through education, training, and support.
Once you are appointed, you must complete LSO orientation.
Starting orientation
To start your lab safety orientation:
- Review the resources listed on this page.
- Contact your Lab Safety Advisor (LSA) for more orientation details and an invitation to the next Lab Safety Committee meeting.
You can request a printable orientation packet from your LSA.
Safety training
Access lab safety training through the Harvard Training Portal (HTP).
After completing initial training, complete training refresher courses as prescribed or when the lab work changes.
| Materials | Required Training Course Number | Refresher Course Number and Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Biological materials | LAB103 | LAB203 (annually) |
Chemicals | LAB100 | LAB200 (annually) |
Lasers or new laser instruments | RPO102 and RP0104-1 | RPO202 (every two years) |
Radioactive materials | RPO101 | RPO201 (every two years) |
Committee meetings
You are responsible for:
- Attending all lab safety committee meetings. You can delegate a representative to attend on your behalf if you are unavailable.
- Serving as a liaison between the lab safety committee and your lab.
Lab inspections
- Ensure your lab conducts safety inspections and certifications according to the lab inspection schedule.
- Conduct lab personal protective equipment (PPE) assessments and manage corrective actions in the Assessment and Inspection Management System (AIMS).
Lab documentation
- Update your LabPoint door placards and inventory annually or when lab work or contact information changes.
Update lab rosters when a new researcher arrives or when a researcher leaves the lab.
For more information, review managing lab rosters in PeopleSoft and PeopleSoft lab roster frequently asked questions.
Lab safety resources
Familiarize yourself with these lab safety resources.
EHS support
Contact lab_safety@harvard.edu or your LSA for more information about lab safety at Harvard.