Overview

A broad spectrum of research at Harvard is conducted with materials that, if misused, may cause serious health and environmental consequences.  Each researcher using these materials is required to be educated about proper laboratory safety. Critical areas requiring best practices include biosafety, hazardous waste, lasers, “controlled substances,” radiation, flammable materials, laboratory equipment, and emergency response.

Additionally, research activities may include the use of technology, the development of items (e.g., products, goods, hardware, software, and materials), or the communication of information, that are subject to U.S. export-control laws and regulations, including bio-security oversight.  For more information, please see Export Controls and Bio-Security.

External Oversight

Federal and state agencies have regulatory oversight of various aspects of laboratory safety, both in academic institutions and the private sector. Most notably, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Drug Enforcement Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services, and the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program all require Harvard to adhere to specific safeguards in the laboratory environment.

The most common concern about laboratory safety is the risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created a Laboratory Standards website that provides an overview of the minimum safety requirements for hazardous chemicals.

Harvard Policies, Procedures & Guidance

Harvard University's Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) is responsible for ensuring University compliance with the laws and policies that apply to Harvard’s overall physical environment, including laboratory safety. The EH&S website provides a comprehensive overview of laboratory safety topics, including safety plans and manuals for the following topics:

• Chemical Hygiene Plan
• Radiation Safety Manual
• Biological Safety Manual
• Bloodborne Pathogens & Other Potentially Infectious Material Exposure Control Plan

There are various University committees that have oversight of laboratory research:

• Radiation Safety Committee
• Committee on Microbiological Safety (the University's Institutional Biosafety Committee)
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Schools may have local committees and policies that govern the research.