The Engineering Safety Office is dedicated to addressing the primary hazards (general/physical, biological, chemical, and radiological safety concerns) commonly found in research and academic laboratories at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Our goal is to minimize the risks to personnel involved in laboratory or shop activities.

There are guidelines and programs for research and academic activities on campus. Click on the categories below to review the minimum requirement that must be met depending on your activities:

Chemicals and/or hazardous materials play an important and essential role in both research and teaching operations within our college. The Chemical Safety Program establishes policies, procedures, and training for the safe acquisition, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials on campus. All research and academic laboratories that uses chemicals are required to complete do the following:

  1. Complete “ Laboratory Safety ” Training
  2. Inventory Chemicals in Chematix
  3. Label chemicals properly (full name of chemicals)
  4. Store chemical according to compatibility
  5. Maintain proper housekeeping in their laboratory or shop
  6. Do not eating and/or drinking in the lab.

For more information and how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement, please visit RMS webpage: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/chemical or contact the Engineering Safety Manager EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673

The Biological Safety Program focuses on minimizing risk to any laboratory personnel that works directly or indirectly with biohazardous materials. Examples of biohazardous materials may include pathogenic microorganisms, biological toxins, certain types of viral vectors, etc.

Individuals working with biological material must:

  1. Register their research or academic activities with the IBC or IACUC if it meets their requirement
  2. Complete “ Biosafety training ” if work fall under the Biosafety level requirement
  3. Complete “ Blood Borne pathogen training ” if work involve blood or bodily fluids.

For more information and how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement, please visit RMS webpage: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/biosafety or contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673

Risk Management and Safety’s Environmental group is responsible for the collection and proper disposal of chemical waste, biohazardous waste, batteries, and other hazardous materials used and/or produced in the labs or shops.  The University’s Hazardous Waste Management Program must comply with all ADEM requirements and Federal regulations. As a minimum, all individuals who research and academic activities will result in hazardous waste generation should do the following:

  1. Complete Hazardous Waste Training
  2. Mark storage areas with the “ Satellite Accumulation Area ” sign
  3. Label waste container with word “ HAZARDOUS WASTE ” and include the content of the waste
  4. Keep container clean and closed at all times

For more information and how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement, please visit RMS webpage: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/environmentalManagement or contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673

The Radiation Safety Office provide consultation and guidance to ensure a safe working environment. At a minimum, the following is required of any research or academic activities that involves use of radioactive or radiation producing devices:

  1. Register your radioactive or radiation producing equipment with the University
  2. Complete “ Introduction to Radiation Safety ” if you will be using radioactive sources
  3. Complete “ Analytical X-ray Safety training ” if you will be using x-ray producing devices
  4. Complete “ Radioactive Sealed Sources ” if you will be radioactive sealed sources equipment
  5. Provide hands-on instructor to all individual who will use equipment

For more information and how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement, please visit RMS webpage: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/radsafety or contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673

If you research or academic work will involve the use of compressed gases, please ensure the following:

  1. Complete “ Compressed Cylinder Safety ” training
  2. When cylinder are in storage, ensure that:
    1. Cylinders are individually strapped or secured to prevent falling or rolling.
    2. Keep valve caps in place when not in use.
    3. Keep valves closed when not in use.
    4. Store cylinders with other compatible gases.
    5. Do not store flammable gases near oxidizers or combustible materials.
    6. Toxic or highly toxic gases gases (e.g. Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, Chlorine, Ethylene Oxide, Nitric Oxide); corrosive gases (e.g. Dichlorosilane, Chlorine), pyrophoric gases (Silane) categorized by Airgas and NFPA (NFPA 55 7.9.2.1) must be stored in a ventilated cabinet or exhaust enclosure.
  3. When cylinders are in use:
    1. Use a 2 stage regulator made for that gas.
    2. Do not alter, adapt or use Teflon tape on regulators (Teflon tape can only be used on threaded connections).
    3. Leak test fittings, piping and connections with Snoop before work begins.
    4. Mark cylinders "MT" or "EMPTY"; store separately from full cylinders.

For more information and how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement, please visit RMS webpage: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/LabSafety or contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673

The University has established a Laser Safety Program which covers with Class II, III, and IV lasers. Individuals working with such lasers must:

  1. Register laser equipment
  2. Implement laser safety controls for the type of lasers
  3. Complete “ Laser Safety ” training

For more information and how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement, please visit RMS webpage: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/lasersafety or contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673  

If you research or academic activities will involve working in a shop or the use of:

  1. Heavy Machinery (Drill Press, Lathes, Band Saws, etc.)
  2. Hand and Power tools (Chisels, Hammer, Portable Drill, Circular Saw, etc.)
  3. Respirators
  4. Noise (>85dBa) generating operations
  5. Working at elevated heights or confined spaces

Please contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673, for more information and assistance on how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement.

Those working and learning in the teaching labs and experiential learning spaces (academic laboratories, workshops, studios, and machine shops) are exposed to many hazards. The Safety Program for Teaching Labs provides guidelines and support to mitigate the hazards to the students, teaching/research assistants, lecturers, faculty, and staff associated with the teaching labs.

Please contact the Engineering Safety Manager: EngineeringSafely@eng.auburn.edu or 334-728-7673, for more information and assistance on how to ensure safety of your activity and meet the universities safety requirement.