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California Institute of Technology
Division of Biology
Workplace Specific Safety Orientation Checklist for Incoming Researchers
The Caltech Academic Divisions are concerned that all researchers know, understand, and observe
good safety practices and procedures. For your benefit and safety, we require that you complete this
safety checklist together with the safety officer in your laboratory. This must be done before receiving
a key to the lab.
Instructions
Please discuss the items on this sheet with the Safety Officer in your laboratory or with your mentor.
Check off the items or mark N/A if they do not apply to your research environment. (Note: The
Emergency Procedures applies to all researchers.)
Any researcher must receive work area specific safety training before starting a project in a laboratory.
Safety Training should:
 Discuss Emergency procedures
 Discuss available safety related resources including www.safety.caltech.edu
 Discuss lab specific hazards which may include processes, equipment, chemicals and/or
contact with animals.
Personal Information
Researcher’s Name: ______________________________________U.I.D.:_________________
Phone: ______________________ Email: ________________________________________
Lab Group: _________________________________Position: __________________________
Building: _________________________________
Safety Officer’s Name: __________________________________________________________
Emergency Procedures
 -For campus emergencies, dial x5000.
 -Where is the nearest emergency exit and alternate route?
 -Where is the emergency assembly point for the building?
 -Where are: 1. Eyewash, 2. Emergency Shower station, 3. First aid kits
 -Where are: 1. Fire extinguishers, 2. Pull stations
 -Where is the Caltech Emergency Response Guide?
 -If injured at work, immediately notify your Safety Officer and/or Supervisor.
 -Where are the lab contact phone numbers?
 -Campus Hot Line (626-395-3291) and (888-427-7465). Is this listed with lab phone #’s?
 -Where is the lab MSDS notebook? (Material Safety Data Sheets)
 -Have you signed up for Lab Safety 101?
Last updated 2/6/2016
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 -Have you reviewed the check-out list?
 -Your Safety Officer will now teach you the specific dangers of the lab.
 -Hazardous waste specifics
 -Location of dangerous reagents
 -How the chemicals are stored and organized
 -Are radioactive materials used, if yes, where
 -Are dangerous viruses or bacteria used, if yes, where
 -Have you completed safety walk through within the lab?
 -Do you have the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
Specific Safety Training Classes or Additional Training from Safety Officer
(mark N/A if they do not apply to your research environment)
Topic
Training by
Date Trained
New Researcher Orientation, Lab Safety 101
Biological Safety
Bloodborne Pathogens (Human cells, tissue, fluids)
Chemical Handling Procedures (Chemical Hygiene Plan)
Chemotherapy/ Cytotoxic drugs & waste
Controlled substances
Cryogenics (ie: Liquid Nitrogen)
Euthanasia/anesthetic agents (Innocuous & Harmful)
Hazardous Waste Handling (Call EH&S for pick-up.)
Personal Protective Equipment
Radiation (isotopes, X-ray)
Radiation (laser, UV, etc.)
Standard wet chemistry
Other:
Other:
Other:
Other:
Other:
I reviewed and understand the above-mentioned Safety Orientation items.
Researcher’s Signature____________________________________________Date:___________
Safety Officer’s Signature_________________________________________Date:___________
When completed, please save form as a PDF file and return via email to the appropriate person
listed below, depending upon your status. Please copy your lab safety officer and yourself.
Grad Student – Raina Beavan
Postdoc, Research Fellow, Visitor – Gwen Murdock
Staff, Volunteer, Guest – Your Biology HR representative (Janie Malone, Patricia Mindorff,
or Laurinda Truong)
Keys will not be provided until safety training has been completed.
Last updated 2/6/2016
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California Institute of Technology
Division of Biology
Workplace Specific CHECK-OUT list for Departing Researchers
Before leaving a lab, you must complete the following steps:
 Send a written inventory to your PI/Supervisor, the lab manager, and the lab safety officer.
 Complete the labs on-line inventory entries (cell line, primers, vectors, constructs), if your lab
has a database. (See your lab manager for this.)
 Lab Notebooks are property of Caltech. You may print or copy data, but actual notebooks must
be given to the Lab Manager or PI/Supervisor.
 Clean and clear your bench, cold room, refrigerators and freezers before you leave. Do not
leave anything (buffers/solutions/kits, etc.) on your bench. Tag your hazardous waste for
removal.
 Receive bench approval from the lab manager and safety officer prior to departure.
 Organize all computer files on all lab computers and servers, and leave a backup (CD, DVD or
Flash drive) of all your computer data with your lab notebooks.
 Review any remaining mouse cages with the Lab Manager/Animal Techs.
 Leave desk keys and laptop lock-up keys with the lab manager.
 Give forwarding address and email to the lab manager and PI/Supervisor.
 Take all personal items with you.
 Complete final administrative paperwork, turn in lab and building keys:
-Postdocs require a resignation letter – Please checkout with Gwen Murdock.
-Grad student checkout is with Liz Ayala
-HHMI Staff checkout is with Angel Rooker
-Staff, Volunteer, or Guest checkout is with your Biology HR representative (Janie Malone,
Patricia Mindorff, or Laurinda Truong)
I have completed these steps.
Researcher’s Signature____________________________________________Date:___________
Lab Manager/SO/PI Signature______________________________________Date:___________
Last updated 2/6/2016