Laboratory safety in the Department of Chemical Engineering is given paramount importance. The department’s Safety Committee meets regularly and performs activities in accordance with the following charter.
Eliminate the likelihood of safety incidents by:
- Determining and monitoring current state of Department Safety Program
- Creating a world class Safety Program model to be shared across campus
- Performing Lab safety inspections and making recommendations
- Supporting the Department to achieve its safety metrics
- Strengthening the Unit Operations Lab Safety Program
- Mapping the training requirements for all students, staff and faculty
- Developing roles and responsibilities for PIs
- Influencing completion of safety training for all students, staff and faculty
- Developing and executing a review and continuous improvement plan of the Department Safety Program
The department’s safety plan serves to protect health and life, the environment, the campus and local communities, and property.
The safety plan outlines steps to manage risk and prevent accidents in the laboratory, establishes operating practices designed to assure the safety of all, and provides a course of action in case of an emergency. Departmental personnel, including faculty, staff, and graduate students, as well as nonemployee students, are expected to familiarize themselves with the appropriate safety documents and adhere to all laboratory safety policies.
This website provides safety resources for both students and personnel. All senior students are required to take the 3-credit course CM4310 "Chemical Process Safety/Environment." Students enrolled in senior-level chemical engineering lab courses are required to follow the safety practices described in the Prevent Accidents with Safety (PAWS ) webpage. Safety documents for those who work in research labs are available on the Research Lab Safety page. All graduate students are required to take the course CM 5310 "Laboratory Safety" in the first year of their enrollment. In addition, graduate students participate in meetings with the Safety Committee (one in the Fall and one in the Spring) to share lab safety best practices and to discuss and address any safety concerns.
All students (undergraduate and graduate) and guest scientists must satisfactorily complete the training at the link provided below and pass an exam with a minimum grade of 80% before being granted access to work in a research laboratory:
Research Lab Access Safety Training
To learn more about safety on campus, visit Michigan Tech’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). EHS is primarily responsible for life safety, fire protection, environmental protection and health, laboratory safety, occupational safety, and radiation safety.
Before you visit our labs please watch this short safety video:
