The Laboratory Safety program oversees safety and compliance in all SFSU research and teaching laboratory spaces to reduce the risk of injury and exposure, decrease the risk of property loss, lessen the likelihood of lost research, and minimize environmental damage.
Laboratory safety helps protect the SFSU community of students, faculty, staff and visitors, and includes oversight for compliance and safety, training and outreach, institutional support for incident response, building design, and collaboration with SFSU committees.
You can find detailed information about laboratory policies and safe work practices established by the university in the SFSU Chemical Hygiene Plan (pdf).
In the pdf, the Table of Contents' sections are hyperlinked to their locations in the document to help you find the relevant information more quickly.
Faculty or staff that run or manage research or academic support operations are considered the Responsible Person (RP) of a laboratory or other space with hazardous materials or equipment. Although certain tasks may be delegated, the RP is the person ultimately responsible for ensuring safe work practices are followed, regulatory requirements are met, and that their hazard assessments, chemical inventory, and group profiles are up-to-date.
RPs are required to maintain their Main Group profile, Laboratory Hazard Assessments, and Chemical Inventory up-to-date in the RSS (Risk and Safety Solutions) lab management system.
Risk and Safety Solutions (RSS) is the laboratory management software used at SF State and other CSU campuses.
The RP must ensure that lab members complete required training. In addition to online training, an in-person lab-specific safety orientation must be provided to new group members. This training must be documented and forms are available to help ensure the required topics are covered.
Approved Flammables Storage Cabinet
Flammables storage cabinets that can be designated as "approved storage" must meet the following criteria:
- Cal/OSHA 8 CCR 5533 - Design, Construction and Capacity of Storage Cabinets
- NPFA 30 and 251-1972
- Self-closing doors per California Fire Code (or International Fire Code, IFC)
- Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed
Listed Safety Cans for Flammable or Combustible Liquids
The basic purpose of a safety can is the control of flammable vapors, while providing a convenient means of carrying, dispensing, and storing up to five gallons of flammable liquid.
NFPA Code 30 1.6.40 and OSHA 1910.106(a)(29) define a safety can as, "A listed (approved) container, of not more than 5-gal (18.9-L) capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."
- NFPA 30
- OSHA 1910.106(a)(29)
Refrigerators and Freezers For Storing Flammables
Flammable liquids that must be chilled or frozen require special flammable storage refrigerators or freezers to minimize the risk of fire or explosion.
- NFPA 30
- Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed
Never store flammable liquids of any volume in a standard or domestic refrigerator or freezer. They have numerous ignition sources that could ignite vapors.
- Flammable storage refrigerators and freezers have no exposed ignition sources inside the cabinet, such as lights or switches, that could ignite vapors.
- They are engineered to safely store flammable liquids and are labeled as such by the manufacturer.
Explosion-Proof Units
Explosion-proof refrigerators and freezers are extremely expensive and not necessary in most academic applications. Purchase of these units is not recommended. Contact EH&S if you believe you need one of these.
- Explosion-proof or spark-proof units have no interior or exterior ignition sources at all.
- They have no power cord, instead they must be hard-wired.
- Adding a power cord violates the UL listing and they are no longer explosion-proof.
- An explosion-proof refrigerator or freezer may be required in rare circumstances in hazardous locations.
Quick Links
| SFSU Chemical Hygiene Plan | Pre-Approval Required: Chemicals | Experiment in Progress Notice |
| Laboratory Rules (from CHP) | Pre-Approval Required: Equipment | Research Safety Page (pending) |
| Biosafety Program | Policy for Moving/Closing Labs (pending) | Inspection Checklists |
| Eye and Face Protection | Personal Protective Equipment | Volunteer Use of Dust Masks |
| Appropriate Laboratory Attire | Lab Coats and FAQ | CSU Learn and EHS |
Standard/ Safe Operating Practices for Labs
This section is under construction.