Laboratory safety policy
On 10 December 2020, the President adopted a policy on laboratory safety at Stockholm University (SU FV-2.10.1-3311-20). Replaces previous decision: Stockholm University chemical policy (SU FV-2.10.1-3629-13, 2013-11-18).
Responsible unit: Property Management Office
Contact: Mikael Corell
Description
The purpose of this policy is to clarify Stockholm University's standpoint regarding laboratory safety. The laboratory safety work aims to ensure a safe working- and study environment for the university's employees and students.
Introduction
Stockholm University handles chemicals, biological products and radiation sources as well as physical risk sources. Improper handling of these can lead to a negative impact on both human health and the environment. Stockholm University's laboratory safety policy is a declaration of intent and provides a framework for the departments/equivalent systematic work environment and environmental work.
The laboratory safety policy covers the areas of environment, work environment and safety, which includes radiation safety, chemical safety, handling of flammable and explosive goods, biosafety, electrical safety and other work environment risks linked to laboratory activities. By following the university's laboratory safety policy and following the governing and supporting documents for laboratory safety, risks are minimized and environmental management is achieved.
Laboratory safety policy
With the aim of continuously improving laboratory safety at Stockholm University, departments/equivalent with laboratory activities must
- where possible, work according to higher requirements than the legislation and university’s governing and supporting documents.
- set aside resources to carry out systematic and proactive laboratory safety work within the departments/equivalent.
- work to ensure that the expertise available within the university is utilized through a continuous exchange of knowledge and experience between core operations and administration.
- establish risk assessments that include environmental, work environment and safety risks before beginning laboratory work.
- work to ensure that the handling of chemical and biological products, radiation sources and physical risk sources takes place in a safe manner from both an environmental and a work environment perspective through trainings in laboratory safety for employees, students and others working within the university.
- work to minimize emissions to land, water and air.
- work for the substitution principle to be applied, i.e. replace hazardous chemical products and methods where possible, and when replacement is not possible minimize the use of hazardous chemical products and methods.
- store all chemical and biological products and radiation sources safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Responsibility
- All employees and students at Stockholm University must comply with the laws and regulations that exist in the areas of environment, working environment, study environment and safety, as well as to follow the University’s governing and supporting documents.
- The President is ultimately responsible for ensuring that laws and regulations are followed. To be able to ensure this, the President has delegated tasks regarding laboratory safety to the Vice President/Deans/University Director, who in turn have further distributed tasks to heads of department/equivalent. The head of department/equivalent can choose to distribute further tasks to others managers within the department/equivalent.
