»Research and Laboratory Safety

Research and lab safety refers to the practices, guidelines, and procedures followed to ensure the health and well-being of individuals involved in research activities, as well as to protect the environment, property, and the integrity of the research itself. It involves the identification and mitigation of potential hazards associated with the research process, ranging from laboratory experiments and field studies to the use of certain materials, equipment, and technologies. Research safety is critical to minimize risks, such as accidents, exposure to harmful substances, or unethical practices, which can endanger researchers, participants, or the surrounding community.  Research and laboratory safety is of paramount importance to the University and is comprised of several programs.

Programs include:

  • Lab and Chemical Safety
  • Biological Safety
  • Radiation and Laser Safety
  • Field Research Safety 

For information about working with animals, please refer to our Occupational Health and Safety site. 

For more information, contact ehs@chapman.edu or call (714)532-6021

Lab and Chemical Safety


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Chemical Hygiene Plan

The Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) (PDF) is a formal document required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450). It outlines specific safety protocols, procedures, and policies for handling hazardous chemicals in laboratory settings. The primary purpose of a Chemical Hygiene Plan is to ensure that employees, researchers, and students working in laboratories are protected from the risks associated with hazardous chemicals, and that they work in an environment where chemical safety is prioritized.
 
The CHP is designed to minimize exposure to harmful substances, promote safe laboratory practices, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. It also serves as a framework for emergency preparedness and response in the event of accidents involving chemicals.
 
A great tool to use in addition to the CHP is the Guidelines for Chemical Storage (PDF)

Chemical Inventory System and SDS

We use CHIMERA for our Chemical Inventory System (Restricted Access Login). You must recieve authorization from EH&S to access our database. 
 
Use the tool below to search up any Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that are located in our chemical inventory system:
  • SDS - Safety Data Sheet Search (Database)

Science Safety Committee (SSC)

This Science Safety Committee (SSC) is structured to be representative of the university science and technology community and its diverse constituency. The general mission of the Science Safety Committee is to:
 
• Develop and implement written safety programs
• Discuss and take effective action on the principal accident-causing conditions
• Develop and monitor training required to maintain a safe environment in the field of science and technology
• Help stimulate an awareness of health and safety issues and an atmosphere of cooperation between management and workers in the sciences
• Help in identifying problems, formulating policy and procedures, monitoring and improving workplace health and safety
• Serve as a consultative body for the required annual reviews of the Chemical Hygiene Plan
 
Please refer to Science Safety Committee Charter (PDF) for reference. 

Controlled Substances Plan

Research use of selected drugs and precursor chemicals are regulated by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and California Department of Justice (CA-DOJ). To assist Chapman University personnel in compliance with these regulations and Chapman University policy, specific institutional requirements have been established for the management of controlled substances and precursor chemicals.  Researchers who need to use controlled substances in their work must be initially approved by Enterprise Risk and Safety.  For more information, please email ehs@chapman.edu or call 714-516-7199.

Controlled Substances Plan Packet (PDF)

Chemical and Lab Safety Forms

  • Standard Operating Procedures Template for Chemicals (PDF)

Biological Safety


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Biological Safety Program

The Chapman University Biological Safety program, administered by Environmental Health & Safety was established to accomplish the following goals:

  • Protect personnel from exposure to potentially biohazardous materials.
  • Prevent environmental contamination.
  • Provide an environment for quality research while maintaining a safe workplace.
  • Comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The University maintains a written Biosafety Manual (PDF) to provide safety guidelines, policies and procedures for the use and manipulation of biohazardous materials. Implementation of these procedures is the responsibility of the Principal Investigators (PI) and Laboratory Managers, and its success depends on the combined efforts of all laboratory workers. Planning for and the implementation of biological safety must be part of every activity in which biohazardous materials are used.

In order to use rDNA and biohazards, you must fill out a Biological Use Authorization form (DOC) and submit it to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The IBC is responsible for the registration, review and approval of all research projects involving
potentially hazardous biological materials such as human or non-human primate blood and other
potentially infectious materials, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids, viruses, bacteria, biological toxins (microbial and non-microbial), prions, and others. The IBC help support the interests of the University-recognized Institutional Official (IO) with regard to all National Institutes of Health (NIH) andrelated research reviews and approvals and other compliance-related matters.

Refer to IBC Charter (PDF) and schedule (PDF) for more information. 

CITI Program Training

The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) at the University of Miami is a leadingprovider of research education content. Their web-based training materials serve millions of learners atacademic institutions, government agencies, and commercial organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Access to these courses has been arranged for Chapman University faculty, researchers and staff courtesy of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration.

Refer to to (PDF) for more information.

Bloodborne Pathogen Program

This Chapman University Bloodborne Pathogen Control Plan (PDF) describes procedures and protocols to eliminate or minimize the potential for occupational exposures to bloodborne infectious pathogens according to the requirements of Cal OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Title 8 CCR 5193 (https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5193.html).

This Exposure Control Plan is designed to meet the letter and intent of the Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard as well as the hazard communicationrequirements of the Injury Illness and Prevention Program Standard, Title 8, CCR 3203 (https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3203.html).

Aerosol Transmissible Disease Program

The Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Program was developed to ensure compliance with the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard established by Cal/OSHA (California Occupational Safety and Health Administration). The primary purpose of the ATD Program is to protect employees and workers from diseases that can be transmitted through airborne particles or aerosols, particularly in environments where workers may be exposed to such risks.

Please refer to Aerosol Transmissible Disease Exposure Control Plan (PDF) for more information.

Radiation and Laser Safety


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Radiation Safety

In compliance with the University Radiation license held under approval of the Radiologic Health Branch of the State of California Department of Public Health, Chapman University EH&S department provides technical assistance, support and oversight of radiation safety, including guidelines for prudent work practices in the (a) handling, storage, and use of ionizing radioactive materials and (b) use of radiation-producing instruments/equipment (including X-ray diffraction) in accordance with University policies and California regulations.

Please refer to the below written programs and Notice to Employees RHB 2364 for more information:

  • Radioactive Materials Radiation Safety Plan (PDF)
  • X-Ray Producing Machines Radiation Protection Plan (PDF)
  • Notice to Employees- Standards for Protection Against Radiation RH 2364 (PDF)

If you plan or want to use radiation, you must submit a Radiation Use Authorization (RUA) Form (PDF) to ehs@chapman.edu.  

Laser Safety Program

The objective of this Laser Safety Program is to provide reasonable and adequate guidance for
the safe use of lasers and laser systems by providing information dealing with the recognition,
evaluation and control of the hazards associated with them. The Laser Safety Officer (LSO), an
EH&S staff member, administers the Laser Safety Program at Chapman University and ensures
that all hazards related to the use of lasers are adequately controlled.

Please Refer to Laser Safety Program Manual for detailed information (PDF). 

If you plan or want to use Class 3B/4 lasers on campus, you must submit the following documents to ehs@chapman.edu. 

  • Laser Use Authorization Form (PDF)
  • Laser SOP (PDF)

After the LUA and SOP are approved, the LSO will meet with you in person to review the setup. You and any users noted on your LUA will also be enrolled in our online laser safety training hosted in LearnUpon.

For more information, please contact ehs@chapman.edu.

Other documents that are good resources for safe use of lasers.

  • Laser Hazard Assessment Guide (PDF)
  • Laser Alignment Checklist (PDF)

Field Research Safety


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Field Research Safety Manual

The Chapman University Field Research Safety Manual (PDF) provides guidelines and resources to lead safe, successful field courses and research trips. The content focuses on risk management issues that are relevant for California-based field courses and research, international trips, research expeditions, and other outdoor excursions.

Field Research Safety Plan

A Field Safety Plan (PDF) serves as a tool to document your hazard assessment, communication plan, emergency procedures, and training.  This plan should identify hazards, as well as precautions and actions taken to address and mitigate those hazards.  Submit your final plan to ehs@chapman.edu no later than 2 WEEKS before your trip.

Preventing Sexual Violence and Harassment in Field Placements

The Preventing Sexual Violence and Harassment in Field Placements (PDF) is intended to expand illness and injury prevention in field placements to include prevention of sexual harassment and violence, stalking, relationship violence, as well as protection against retaliation for reporting such incidents. This guide SHALL be reviewed prior to any field research safety trip and the review of the guide shall be documented or marked on your field safety plan.