Laboratory Safety

A safe research environment begins with hazard awareness and risk management. Safety training is required for anyone who works in or uses a research lab, instrument development shop, test facility or other space at UC San Diego where workplace hazards exist. This includes researchers, faculty, post-docs, students (graduates and undergrads), staff research associates, visiting scientists, and volunteers. The following listing will get you started.

Principal Investigators

Getting Started

Submit a Principal Investigator Information Form to EH&S
Contact SIO Safety Coordinator:
- Jennifer Rosales at (858) 534-8449 or j2rosales@ucsd.edu

Requirements & Training

Laboratories

Laboratories are defined as a facility where the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals occurs. It is a workplace where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a non-production basis. Use or manipulation of biological or unsealed radiological materials would also qualify for this designation.

Required Training:

New Worker Checklist (one for each lab you are a member of)
UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (online, once every three years)
Annual Laboratory Hazards Training (online, annually)
Obtain and wear your required PPE

Technical Research Areas

Technical Research Areas are defined as research spaces where no biological or radiological materials are used, and chemical usage is minimal. For example, small quantities of solvents or other materials are used to maintain or clean equipment.

Required Training:

New Laboratory Worker Checklist, for Technical Laboratories (one for each lab you are a member of)
Injury and Illness Prevention Program Training (a one-time in-person training)
Annual Shop & Studio Environmental Compliance & Hazards Training (online, annually)
Obtain and wear your required PPE

Research-Specific Requirements

Inspections

Inspections of all spaces are coordinated with both the EH&S Inspector and Scripps Safety Coordinator.

Research Spaces are required to conduct self-inspections bi-annually by using the UCSD Lab Self-Audit Form.
- Keep the Self-Audit forms in a binder for review during your EH&S during your audits.
Be Ready for the Inspector: Information for Fire, Cal/OSHA, and CUPA inspections.
- Fire Safety Self-Inspection Guide
- Office Safety Inspection Guide

Environment, Health, and Safety Contacts for SIO

Biosafety
- Sheryl Major, Campus Biosafety Officer Officer
- (858) 822-2493 | smajor@ucsd.edu
Birch Aquarium
- Danilo Flores, Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist
- (858) 226-5431 | dmflores@ucsd.edu
Chemical Safety
- Kayla Woodward, Campus Chemical Hygiene Officer
- (858) 583-3257 | k4woodward@ucsd.edu
Controlled Substances
- Wendy Scott, Campus Controlled Substances Program Manager
- (858) 534-1362 | wscott@ucsd.edu
Fire Marshal
- Chuck Weber, Interim Campus Fire Marshal
- (858) 534-7525 | jweber@ucsd.edu
General Safety
- Kris Morris, General Safety Program Manager
- (858) 534-6027 | krmorris@ucsd.edu
Laser Safety
- Trung Le, Laser Safety Officer and Health Physicist
- (858) 822-2850 | t16le@ucsd.edu
Personal Protective Equipment Program
- Alexis Rimer, PPE Program Coordinator
- (858) 534-2698 | arimker@ucsd.edu
Radiation Safety
- Jeff Wagner, Health Physicist
- (858) 822-5526 | j7wagner@ucsd
SIO Research Assistance Program (Lab Audits)
- Tiffany Cai, Research Assistance Specialist
- (858) 534-3721 | t2cai@ucsd.edu
SIO Shop and Off-site Research Location Compliance
- Dan LaPel, Research Assistance Specialist
- (858) 822-1743 | dlapel@ucsd.edu
Hazardous Waste Management
- Mark Gonzales, Hazardous Materials Operations Supervisor
- (858) 822-2737 | msg002@ucsd.edu