USC has partnered with USC Sustainability to design 5 Tips to Green Your Lab – manage freezer efficiency, shut the sash on your fume hood, optimize autoclave use, reduce plastic waste, and practice green chemistry!…
Tag: Lab Safety
Lab Safety Awareness Week [Feb 10-14]
This week is CSHEMA’s Lab Safety Awareness Week! A week “that recognizes the successes of laboratory health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep our faculty, staff, and students safe.” EH&S is actively participating in and promoting Lab Safety Awareness at USC. And, we’re taking this opportunity to cast a…
Emergency Eyewash/Shower Challenge
Participate and Win! Imagine the following scenario:You are working in the lab, and suddenly, a hazardous liquid splashes across your face and into your eyes. It stings. Your safety depends on your next action. Close your eyes for a moment. Without peaking…describe the route you would take to get to the nearest emergency eyewash/shower station…
2025 Annual Laboratory Safety Refresher Training Memo
MEMORANDUM Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 To: Principal Investigators and Permit Holders From: Deona Willes, MPH, CLS, Executive Director, Environmental Health & Safety Subject: Annual Laboratory Safety Training Refresher Reminder Dear USC Researcher Community, In light of the wildfire disasters affecting members of our community, we want to extend our thoughts and support to everyone…
Sustainability in Research Labs at USC
To celebrate Green Week (September 4 – 9) (one of the many initiatives that support Assignment: Earth) and the grand opening of the USC Sustainability Hub, EH&S has launched its Sustainability in Research Labs at USC web page. The web page promotes sustainable lab practices that include chemical usage minimization, chemical recycling, and waste management. Visit…
Using Risk & Safety Solutions (RSS) for Lab Inspections
If the EH&S Chemical Inventory team has already visited your lab to certify your chemical inventory, your inspection will now be handled primarily through the Risk & Safety Solutions (RSS) application. This includes inspection reporting, findings, and resolutions. Responsible Parties (PIs & Lab Managers) will receive email notifications when: An inspection is submitted Comments are…
Online GLS and Meet & Greet
The Office of Environmental Health & Safety is pleased to make the following announcements:
Online General Lab Safety Training (GLS) – now available on Trojan Learn
GLS Meet & Greet – new one-time Zoom requirement for GLS participants…….
Common (Lab) Areas
If your lab utilizes Identify and assign ownership to all hazardous materials and equipment in common areas by clearly labeling items with your name as the responsible PI….
Recirculating Water In Experimental Setups
The use of open-circuit water cooling for cooling condensers in research laboratories at USC shall be phased out and ultimately prohibited by Jan. 1, 2024. After the deadline, any observed open-circuit use of water for cooling condensers shall be considered a finding during an EH&S laboratory safety inspection. The most common cause of avoidable flooding…
Phenol Safety
If your laboratory utilizes phenol, it is imperative to stock phenol first aid kits with laminate film gloves for emergency response. The gloves protect against phenol exposure during decontamination of a phenol spill. Review the Phenol Safety Fact Sheet for hazard information, appropriate PPE/supplies and first aid, and spill response….