Chemical and Biological Safety

All lab members are expected to follow UTSW safety policies and complete any required training before working independently with hazardous materials, specialized equipment, or regulated shipping workflows.

Required training

• Complete all mandatory safety and compliance modules assigned through UTSW.

• Refresh annual trainings on schedule when required by institutional policy.

• Do not assume that training from a previous institution satisfies local requirements at UTSW.

Daily expectations

• Use the PPE required for the materials, instruments, and spaces you are working in.

• Follow institutional procedures for sharps, chemical waste, and biohazard disposal.

• Make sure shared benches and equipment are left in a safe state for the next user.

• Do not operate specialized systems such as lasers or high-voltage instrumentation without the appropriate local training.

Shipping and decontamination

• Shipping biological materials requires the appropriate training and the correct packaging, labeling, and documentation.

• Equipment that has been exposed to biological, chemical, or radioactive materials must be decontaminated before surplus removal.

See Working at UTSW for shipping, surplus, and broader institutional links.