Laboratory & Technical Area Safety Surveys

Welcome to the H&S Laboratory & Technical Areas Safety Surveys website! This page provides information and resources for the program. 

Starting in 2024, the objective is to visit each laboratory and technical area at least once every 2 years. For areas with hazardous chemicals, this schedule aligns with the wall-to-wall reconciliation effort that will be completed in 2024 and subsequent institutional requirement of at least once every 2 years.

Labs are encouraged to do a voluntary annual self-lab safety survey as a way to support a safe work place.  Use the survey form and question guide linked below as resources.

For any questions, concerns, or for support, please contact LabSafety@lbl.gov. 

Purpose of Surveys 

• Increase EH&S support in these spaces to help the implementation of chemical and general safety program requirements

• Assure key lab and chemical safety program elements

• Opportunity to share and address safety concerns and questions

• Receive feedback from researchers 

• Performed as an integral aspect of LBNL’s DOE-approved Injury and Illness Prevention/Worker Safety and Health Plan

Implementation of Program 

Definitions

• Laboratory & Technical Area: any space with the following label(s) "Animal Colony", "Computer Laboratory", "Dry Laboratory", "Heavy Laboratory", "Shop", "Wet Laboratory"

• Surveyors: Survey Program Manager and H&S Reps/Liaisons

• Responsible person/people: person in a laboratory or technical area that will be listed as the room manager and will be responsible for action item completion as well as receive email notifications

• RSS Inspect: an electronic tool developed by UC that will be used to house/track surveys and action items 

Process

• Surveys to be performed in each lab and technical space at least once every 2 years 

  • Spaces with chemicals to be completed as part of chemical inventory reconciliation 

  • Spaces without chemicals to be completed through established walk throughs (varies by division) or scheduled independently as needed 

• RSS Inspect will be used to house/track surveys and action items

  • System notifications will be sent to Responsible Person/People and DSC (by request). This includes completed survey reports and action items reminders

  • Responsible person/people will have 30-90 days to address non-compliances (if issue not fixed on the spot)

  • Surveyor will work with division stakeholders to document and complete the survey in RSS Inspect

Resources for Surveyors & Responsible People

Continous Improvement

• Give feedback to surveyors to continue to improve the program

• Email labsafety@lbl.gov for any feedback, questions, or concerns