Laboratory Safety
Joseph Vaughan, Assistant Director of Laboratories, has overall responsibility for the day-to-day, operational procedures for our labs, including microbiological safety (COMS), radiation use, and controlled substances.
HSCRB’s points of contact for Harvard’s Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) committee are Beverly Neugeboren and Mary Lindstrom who helps our laboratories manage biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards proactively.
Safety Training
- Contact Joseph Vaughan for all HSCRB laboratory safety, safety training and scheduling, and safety procedures in HSCRB laboratories.
- Contact Beverly Neugeboren for EH&S biosafety, biosafety training and scheduling, and biosafety procedures in HSCRB laboratories.
- Contact Mary Lindstrom for EH&S lab safety, laboratory safety training and scheduling, and any safety-related procedures in our laboratories.
Safety Resources
- Updated SAA signs that don’t have the lab contact info at the bottom.
- Current version of the Laboratory Safety Orientation Checklist for new group members.
- Weekly SAA Inspection Checklist – to be done by the group’s LSO or other designated person.
- Annual Lab Inspection Checklist – used by me and Beverly when we inspect labs.
- EH&S training webpage with information on managing lab training rosters.
- AIMS – Assessment and Inspection Management System for PPE Assessments and inspections. If you can’t log in and view your group’s information let me know.
- Guide to conducting PPE Assessments in AIMS.
- EH&S Labels and Stickers template page.
- EH&S Lab Safety Guidelines and SOPS page, including one on peroxide-forming chemicals.
- Exposure Control Plan – please fill out the lab-specific parts of this and keep in an accessible place for lab members.
- Hepatitis B Vaccination Offer Form – please have one of these on file for each member of the lab who works with human cells. This can be kept in the same notebook as the other safety paperwork
- Local Transport of Biological Substances.
- Biosafety at EHS – all links you might need related to biosafety including link to COMS (under Biological Project Registration).
- Hydrogen peroxide wipes that can be used instead of 10% bleach in your biosafety cabinets.
Laboratory Services
Storage and Backup Freezer Services
HSCRB has temporary emergency back-up -80C freezers and short-term auxiliary freezer storage space for the laboratories. Both -80C freezers can be reserved for two week periods on the reservation calendar. HSCRB also has a -20C freezer that can be moved to labs for use during defrosting freezers.
Contact Joe Vaughan for further information and access to reservation calendar.
You may view current reservations at this Link: Backup Freezer Calendar
- Presto request to request a mobile freezer for temporary use.
Dry Ice
VWR Stockroom provides Dry Ice that is sold by weight in the basement of the Biolabs for emergencies and for routine lab needs.
Stockrooms
HSCRB scientists can access common reagents quickly. For example VWR has a supplied stockroom in the basement of the Biolabs and New England Biolabs has 24/7 stockrooms located on the Harvard Cambridge campus (NEBnow) and near the Longwood campus (HMS BPF NEBnow).
Waste
Biological waste disposal for laboratories in the Bauer and Sherman-Fairchild buildings is managed by Beverly Neugeboren, Laboratory and Biosafety Officer in FAS Environmental Health and Safety.
Work Requests for Building Operations
- Presto request for facilities-related issues.
Departmental Space, Use and Access
Keys and Keycard Access
All key and keycard requests should be submitted via the Presto Work Request system. You will need an active HUID and specify what building, zone or floor and specific rooms you need access to.
Departmental Signage
Contact Joe Vaughan for all signage change requests including new signage or additions, deletions and modifications to current signage.
HSCRB Flexible Touch Down Space and Calendars
HSCRB provides flexible touchdown spaces throughout the department for all HSCRB members. All spaces are available by reservation only. Contact Joe Vaughan for access to reservation calendars.
All HSCRB Flex space areas and rooms must be reserved prior to use. Include surname, lab and room number when signing up.
Guidelines for use:
- rooms should only be used for Harvard-related work.
- rooms must be reserved in advance and booking times should only be for the time needed, as these rooms are shared by many individuals.
- these spaces are not intended to be used for eating or drinking.
- individuals must remove all personal items and clean all surfaces after use.
Private Flex-space offices are available for associated, adjunct and visiting faculty. Please contact Joe Vaughan for access to the reservation calendars for these rooms.
List of spaces and links to viewable flex space calendars for all HSCRB members are below.
Fairchild Building
Level One
- SF2 Admin Flex Space – SF157
Description: One (right side) Reservable Cubicle space in SF1 admin suite for quiet work. [Temporarily Closed]
Level Two
- SF2 Admin Flex Space – SF258
Description: Three (3) Reservable Cubicle spaces in SF2 admin suite for quiet work.
- SF2 Collegial Community Space
HSCRB also provides a large collegial gather and community space on the second level of the Fairchild building. Here you can find quiet sitting areas for conversations and collaborations. The area is outfitted with an Espresso & Coffee machine and a hot water dispenser for tea. The space is available for departmental events and gatherings including regular Community Hours with snacks and beverages.
Departmental Equipment
Lists of Department Shared Equipment can be found on the Research Operations webpages. Please contact Joe Vaughan for access to the reservation calendars for departmental shared equipment and instruments.