What is Research Safety?
Research safety is comprised of several specialty programs that support the teaching and research enterprise at UCR. The specialty programs include Biosafety, Lab Safety, Radiation and Laser Safety, Chemical Safety, and Field and Drone Safety. Each program provides targeted health and safety services to support UCR's teaching and research laboratories. EH&S provides resources, training and specialized laboratory safety consultation on potential hazards, as well as guidance to laboratories so they can meet their regulatory compliance requirements. Specific program services may include:
- Provide safety consultation and review of hazardous materials in research processes.
- Review safety procedures when working with hazardous materials.
- Provide specialized training on proper handling and use of hazardous materials.
- Provide training and consultation on Risk and Safety Solutions such as LHAT, Inspect, Chemicals, WASTe, etc.
- Consultation on laboratory set up, moves and decommissioning.
- Incident or accident investigation and follow-up.
- Coordination with outside agencies regarding regulatory inspections.
For more information, contact Research Safety or call (951) 827-5528.
Latest Updates
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Instructional Labs
New guidance now available for instructional labs. Visit Instructional Lab website for more information.
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Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Program
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is an corrosive acid with unique properties. Hydrofluoric acid spill and exposure response are unique to the chemical, and standard lab response can be ineffective or create additional hazards. Review the Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Program Document which outlines the basics of safely handling HF and responding to HF spills and exposures.
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Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program
Reduce the potential risk of exposure to mercury. Exchange your mercury thermometer for FREE.
Learn more about the program.
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Power Outage Guidance for Laboratories
Learn what to do before, during and after a power outage
Laboratory Safety
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Chemical Hygiene Plan
UCR's Chemical Hygiene Plan provides guidance on working safety with chemicals in the laboratory, including administrative requirements and responsibilities, general safety precautions, and how to identify hazards and reduce risks associated with chemical use, handling, storage, and disposal in laboratories.
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Chemical Inventory
UCR is responsible to report the storage and use of hazardous materials on campus. Laboratories are required to maintain a Chemical Inventory within RSS Chemicals and certify annually. In addition, chemical inventory should be updated with any changes to the inventory, such as adding, removing, or moving chemical containers.
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Emergencies and Incidents
Understand how to respond to different emergencies and incidents that occur in the laboratory. Each laboratory should have an Emergency Procedures poster posted in a conspicuous place.
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Hazardous Waste Management
Review and understand how to properly prepare and dispose of hazardous waste. Use WASTe to create and view hazardous waste tags, and to notify EH&S when hazardous waste is ready for pick up.
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Laboratory/Equipment Relocation & Clearance
Moving labs or need to remove an equipment from your lab? Review the Laboratory/Equipment Relocation and Clearance guidance document to understand what actions need to be taken to successfully move your equipment or lab. Submit a request to notify EH&S of your move and we will schedule a time to provide additional guidance.
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Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT)
The Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) is a web-based application that enables researchers to identify hazards in their labs or research areas. When completed it provides a list of personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for lab members to wear when working with hazardous materials/processes. All lab members should review and acknowledge your PI's laboratory hazard assessment prior to working in the laboratory.
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Laboratory Safety Evaluation
Laboratory safety evaluations provide an opportunity to assist departments, faculty, staff and students to identify and correct potential health and safety hazards in research and teaching laboratories. Laboratory safety evaluations are conducted annually by EH&S personnel to ensure that each laboratory conforms with the safe and healthy work conditions and practices as identified in in the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP), UCR's Chemical Hygiene Plan, federal and state regulations, standards and UC policies.
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Laboratory Safety Manual
The Laboratory Safety Manual is a collection of resources for individuals working in research and teaching laboratories. It includes safe work procedures, chemical safety information, laboratory equipment safety information and links to resources. It is a web-based living document, with new items being added or revisions taking place at any time. This manual includes the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) and Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP).
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Laboratory Safety Training
Guide for Completing Training in a Laboratory Setting
- Review and complete the Laboratory Site Specific Training Checklist for each lab personnel.
- Identify and complete additional required training based on hazards present in the laboratory.
- Review the Laboratory Safety Manual, which include the Injury & Illness Prevention Plan, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), etc.
- Document training.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
UC Riverside uses the Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) to identify and communicate hazards present in the laboratory or research area. Once hazards are identified, laboratory members must review and acknowledge the laboratory hazard assessment, complete a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training module via LHAT, and print a voucher to be exchanged for PPE.
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Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are written instructions that detail the steps that will be performed during a given experimental procedure; and include information about hazards and how these hazards will be mitigated.
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Safety Data Sheets
Access Safety Data Sheets (SDS) from various manufacturers.
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Chemical Safety
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Chemical Segregation Chart
Use the Chemical Segregation Chart to familiarize yourself with hazard symbols and to properly segregate chemicals.
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Controlled Substance Use Authorization (CSUA)
Controlled substances are drugs or chemicals whose manufacture, possession, and use are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). At UCR, controlled substances include all DEA-scheduled substances, DEA List 1 chemicals, and California Precursor Chemicals. To use controlled substances for research or teaching purposes, submit a Controlled Substance Use Authorization prior to procuring the materials.
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Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is an corrosive acid with unique properties. Hydrofluoric acid spill and exposure response are unique to the chemical, and standard lab response can be ineffective or create additional hazards. Review the Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Program Document which outlines the basics of safely handling HF and responding to HF spills and exposures.
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Nanomaterials
Review and understand the best practices, standards and guidelines for engineered nanomaterials.
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Pyrophoric Materials
Pyrophoric materials are materials that will spontaneously ignite in air at room temperature. Use of pyrophoric materials requires special care. Review the Pyrophoric Materials program document which outlines the requirements for working with pyrophoric materials.
Biosafety
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Biological Use Authorization
The Biological Use Authorization (BUA) application is submitted by Principal Investigators to document the scope of their teaching or research projects. Delegates may initiate and fill out the application, but only Principal Investigators (PIs) who meet the eligibility as defined in UCR Policy 527-3 can submit.
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Biosafety Manual
The UCR Biosafety Manual defines the responsibilities, procedures, and guidelines for the safe handling, use, storage, and disposal of biohazardous materials in research and teaching activities performed at UCR.
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Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) functions as the UCR review body responsible for approval and oversight of activities involving the use, storage, and handling of biohazardous materials, in accordance to NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), the CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), and other regulatory or guidance documents.