Laboratory safety: Engaging 600+ research groups

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has recently updated its laboratory safety program, utilizing an integrated approach to reduce the biological, chemical, and radiological safety silos, and conveying the importance of basic laboratory safety to all departments across campus. The updated approach to educate on the core of laboratory safety was well-received by the researchers. The new program tackles many of the challenges associated with auditing and managing safety at a large research university. These challenges include identifying and visiting all research laboratories on campus, reporting findings in a timely manner, facilitating responses to deficiencies, and educating all researchers on the OSHA Laboratory Standard.