A Chemical and Laboratory Safety Program is designed to establish and maintain a safe working environment in laboratories where hazardous chemicals are used.
We understand that chemicals play an important role in research and teaching at Augusta University. Unlike industrial production facilities, laboratories at academic institutions generally have a large variety of chemicals in small quantities that can still pose multiple risk factors and multiple points of hazardous waste generation.
In an effort to meet these challenges, our Institutional Chemical Safety Committee (ICC) works together with the Chemical Safety Office to develop safe work practices in labs and foster cooperation between laboratory workers and support services. The objective is to ensure the safety of all employees, students and visitors, and to achieve full regulatory compliance campus-wide.
What to do if you have a chemical spill in your lab.
Important safety guidance for laboratories
Chemical Safety Office
Health Sciences Campus
Environmental Health & Safety Building
706-721-2663
706-721-9844
Campus Emergency:
706-721-2911
Lab Safety Audits are performed by the Chemical Safety Office to assess laboratory practices and assist Principal Investigators and laboratory workers in correcting safety hazards and regulatory violations. Labs are encouraged to perform periodic self-reviews. The checklist below is compiled from various regulatory standards and review procedures to demonstrate what labs can expect from an actual inspection.
The Chemical Safety Office is also available to perform on-site risk assessments, evaluate unique situations and resources, and provide recommendations to assist individual labs in meeting the standards for worker safety and regulatory compliance.
The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) makes unannounced inspections of institutions that use controlled substances in research. Departments are required to comply with all necessary documentation and reporting.