Laboratory Security
Laboratory security is an integral part of an effective laboratory safety program. Follow these procedures to ensure a secure working environment:
- Keep laboratory doors locked when unoccupied.
- Keep an accurate record of valuable equipment, chemicals, stocks, cultures, project materials, growth media, and those items that support project activities.
- Notify University Police (2-6412) if materials are missing from the laboratory.
- Inspect all packages arriving at the work area.
- Do not leave chemicals unattended on loading docks and public access areas.
- Report any suspicious material orders (e.g., chemicals organisms). Ensure you match invoices to orders received in the lab.
- When research is completed for the day, ensure that chemicals and biological materials have been properly stored and secured.
- Ask strangers (someone you do not recognize as a co-worker or support staff) for university identification. If they are not authorized to enter, ask them to leave or report their presence to management or University Police.
- Keep high hazard materials in locked storage units whenever they are not in use. High hazard or high security materials include:
- Radioisotopes
- Carcinogens
- Select Agents
- Controlled substances and other narcotics
- Explosives or highly reactive materials
- Maintain a catalog for receiving, using, and disposing of high hazard materials.
There are additional requirements and specific regulations for Select Agents.