Safety Surveys are annual consultations conducted by EH&S to identify potential safety hazards and provide educational support on regulatory requirements. These surveys are performed at least once per year to ensure laboratories operate safely and comply with policies relevant to the type of research and agents used.
If a safety concern is identified, the EH&S surveyor will provide solutions to resolve the issue. Our broader goal is to empower researchers to proactively identify and correct safety concerns year-round, not just during scheduled surveys.
Survey findings are documented in CampusOptics and shared with the Principal Investigator (PI), including a summary of issues. While all lab personnel listed on the PI’s roster can view the report, only the PI or designated Lab Manager may close issues.
Process and Scheduling
The Safety Survey Schedule outlines a general timeline for inspections. This schedule is subject to change and does not guarantee a specific month for your lab’s survey.
When it’s time to schedule, an EH&S Coordinator will contact the PI and Lab Manager via email to arrange an appointment. If there is no response after three attempts, the coordinator will access the lab unescorted using a master key. The PI and Lab Manager will be notified in advance of the visit.
Managing Issues
Most issues are due within 30 days. Instructions on how to view safety survey reports and close issues can be found on the EH&S CampusOptics tutorial videos page.
Tips for a Successful Survey
To prepare for your lab’s safety survey:
- Update the Members tab for the space to reflect current lab members
- Verify training completion in the Members tab of your CampusOptics space.
- Complete the annual hazard assessment in CampusOptics
- Update your Chemical Inventory least annually (reconciliation tool in CampusOptics)
- If applicable, review and amend your biohazard project registration to reflect changes in rooms, personnel, or scope of work