Laboratory Safety

I. Background

1. 1. At UT Tyler, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse array of hands-on learning experiences across multiple disciplines, including art, chemistry, biology, engineering, technology, nursing, kinesiology, psychology, and more.  These environments, referred to as laboratories, shops or studios, are integral to our academic mission, providing students with the practical skills needed to excel in their fields.  However, the inherent risks associated with laboratory work requires a strong commitment to safety, both for individuals and for the broader community.  A robust safety culture is at the heart of our operations, ensuring that every action taken within our labs prioritizes the well-being of everyone involved.  The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) supports this culture by complementing the safety instruction already provided in these spaces.  We offer a range of services designed to protect students, faculty, and the public from the risks associated with laboratory activities, fostering a safe and productive learning environment. 

II. Contact Information 

1. 1. UT Tyler Research at research@uttyler.edu
   2. Chris Frydenlund, MS, ASP, LSO, EMT, Senior Lab Safety Manager and Biological Safety Officer at cfrydenlund@uttyler.edu 
   3. Kerry Bonilla, Administrative Assistant III at kbonilla@uttyler.edu 

III.  Laboratory Safety 

1. 1. Chemical safety 
      1. ORC manages chemical safety at all UT Tyler owned and operated facilities. 
      2. Hazardous chemicals fall into a special class of controls.  The Institutional Biosafety Committee must approve all new hazardous chemicals not already listed in existing inventories.  UT Tyler policy and instructions on ordering hazardous chemicals can be found in the Hazardous Chemical Policy.
   2. Biological safety
      1. Synthetic and recombinant nucleotides (i.e. rDNA) ordered from vendors fall under the responsibility of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).  Individual PIs must contact ORC before ordering any synthetic nucleotides. 
      2. Infectious and toxic organisms are overseen by the Infectious Organism Research Review Committee (IORRC).  Individual PIs must contact the ORC before ordering any infectious or toxic organism, or product from such organisms (cells, toxins, etc.). 
      3. Contact the Biosafety Officer or ORC for questions or concerns, and training in biosafety. 
      4. ORC provides required training and advice related to safe use of biological materials.  However, individual departments and Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for the health and safety of their laboratories.  
   3. Life-safety ventilation certification 
      1. ORC takes care of the annual certification of chemical fume hoods and biological safety cabinets on the Main Campus. 
      2. The Health Science Center campus' ventilation certification is administered through a separate contract. 
   4. Radiation Safety 
      1. ORC provides instructions and training for PIs using radiological equipment or material. 
   5. ORC offers services to all UT Tyler owned or operated facilities.
      1. Training for students and faculty in academic and research laboratories, shops, and art studios. 
      2. Performing annual and biannual safety surveys of lab, shop, and studio areas, as well as upon request. 
      3. Providing training, services, and advice for shipping dangerous goods. 
         1. PIs must contact ORC if they are shipping chemicals, biological materials, and/or internationally. 
      4. Managing laboratory hazard communication. 
      5. Providing laboratory decommissioning services. 
      6. Providing consultation on safety related items for all laboratories, engineering shops and art studios. 

IV.  Additional Resources

1. 1. Additional Resources can be found in training provided by ORC and other related mandatory training supplied by the University. 

V.  Links

1. 1. Safety data sheets - provided by CampusOptics. 
   2. Personal protective equipment guidelines - provided by DuPont. 

VI.  Regulatory Information 

1. 1. Texas Hazard Communication Program
   2. NIH Guidelines on recombinant nucleic acid (April 2024)
   3. UT Tyler Hazardous Chemical Policy
   4. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (6th edition) 
   5. DOT shipping - regulations on shipping hazardous materials in the U.S.