About Us
The Research Laboratory Safety Office (RLS), in Occupational & Environmental Safety (OES), is dedicated to partnering with the research community to support and promote laboratory safety at Johns Hopkins. RLS develops and implements comprehensive research safety programs for laboratories in accordance to Johns Hopkins policy as well as federal, state, and local regulations. RLS sponsors a broad range of instructor-led training courses, performs consultations on-site risk assessments, conducts Annual Research Laboratory Safety Surveys, offers laboratory safety orientations, supports safe laboratory design and construction, and helps the research community navigate through external laboratory safety compliance requirements at Johns Hopkins.
Subtopics
- Annual Research Laboratory Safety Survey
- Biological Safety Cabinet Assessments, Certifications, and Maintenance
- Consultations & On-Site Risk Assessments
- Survey Schedule and Timeline
Resources
Training
Online training courses:
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Chemical Waste Management
- DOT Training- Shipping Ebola Contaminated Waste
- DOT/ IATA Dangerous Good Shipping
- DOT/IATA Shipping Certification Consumer Commodities
(NOTE: Update to Ground Shipment Requirements) - JH | Safety Respiratory Protection Training
Instructor-led courses (see schedule and register on MyLearning):
The Research Laboratory Safety Office (RLS), part of Occupational & Environmental Safety (OES), partners with the research community to promote lab safety at Johns Hopkins. RLS develops safety programs, ensures compliance with university and regulatory standards, provides training, conducts lab surveys and risk assessments, supports safe lab design, and guides researchers through external compliance requirements.
- BBP – Non Human Primate Module
- Biosafety Cabinets
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- BSL-3 Practices (Attendance is restricted)
- DOT/ IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping
- Hazard Communication
- Laboratory Safety – General (via Zoom)
- BSL1 & 2 Laboratory (via Zoom)
- Ad Hoc Trainings – available upon request. email: [email protected]
- Biosafety Cabinets
- Working Safely in Animal Areas
- Working Safely in Laboratory Spaces
- Arthropod Containment Training
- Rabies Risk Safety Training
- Q-Fever Safety Trainings
- Departmental Annual Training Refreshers & Summer Students/Interns/Trainee Orientations)
Policies
Given that the annual research laboratory safety surveys are general, holistic reviews of each lab space, many HSE policies may apply.
See the HSE Policy Manual for all Policies
Research Safety-Related Policies:
Safety
- (HSE013) Use of Adapters and Extension Cords
- (HSE021) Pest Control
- (HSE025) Access to Restricted Areas
- (HSE026) Means of Egress
- (HSE035) Hazard Assessment Program
- (HSE036) Exhaust System Outages and Fume Hood Repair
- (HSE037) Emergency Equipment: Eyewash, Drenching Hose, and Shower Equipment
- (HSE046) Cryogenic Liquids and Dry Ice
- (HSE047) Machine Shop Safety in Academic Departments
- (HSE052) Transport of Research Materials
- (HSE805) Laboratory Waste Disposal
- (HSE-SP004) Respiratory Protection Program
- (HSE-SP009) Compressed Gas Cylinder: Storage, Handling and Management
- (HSE-SP011) Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- (HSE-SP012) Eyewash and Emergency Shower Equipment
Biological Safety
- (HSE505) Acquisition and Use of Select Agents & Toxins
- (HSE-SP002) Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan
- (HSE508) Certification and Testing of Biological Safety Cabinets
- (HSE509) Clean Air Benches
- (HSE507) Containment for Research Involving Cell Culture
- (HSE502) Containment of Biological Agents and Materials
- (HSE511) Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)
- (HSE500) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
- (HSE506) Protection of Vacuum Systems
- (HSE503) Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Research
- (HSE504) Registry of Biohazardous Agents and Materials
- (HSE510) Use of Gas in Biological Safety Cabinets
Chemical Safety
Laboratory Safety
- (HSE801) Proper Attire For Individuals in Laboratories
- (HSE802) Hazard Assessment of Laboratory Workers
- (HSE803) Hazard Warning Signage
- (HSE804) Laboratory Refrigerators, Freezers, and Coolers
- (HSE805) Laboratory Waste Disposal
- (HSE806) Health and Safety Information for Animal Users
- (HSE807) Animal Exposure Surveillance Program
- (HSE808) Response to Laboratory Emergencies
- (HSE809) Laboratory Exit/Decommission and Clearance Policy
- (HSE810) Laboratory Equipment Clearance Policy
Guidance Documents
- (HSEG002) Guidelines for Handling and Decontaminating PAPRs
- (HSEG004) Medical Surveillance
- (HSEG005) Guidance for Basic Safety Training for All Staff and Students Who Are to Work in Laboratories
- (HSEG006) Guidance for Reproductive Concerns in the Workplace
- (HSEG007) Guidance for Prudent Practices for Chemical Use (By Hazard Class) in Laboratories
- (HSEG011) Guidance for Corrective Actions and Progressive Response for Ongoing or Repeat Laboratory Safety Violations
Important Links & Contact Information
Internal Resources:
- Johns Hopkins Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Facilities Management Groups:
- JHH / SOM Facilities: 410-955-8300
- BSPH Facilities: 410-955-3451
- Homewood Facilities: 410-516-8063
External Resources:
- Prudent Practices in the Laboratory
- CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL, 6th edition)
- Health Canada Pathogen Safety Data Sheets
- OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030
Associations: