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The Lab Safety Health Assessment Partnership Evaluation (SHAPE) Program is a Partnership initiative between laboratory based operations and Environmental Health and Safety [EH&S] with a primary goal of preventing injuries and illnesses. This is achieved by further promoting safe science in our research and teaching laboratories through a continuous process of observation, communication, education, performance and feedback. The program is intended to establish and to communicate mutually agreed upon standards for safe laboratory operations and then to evaluate the success of the Partnership in achieving the desired levels of performance. Deviations from the norm will be evaluated and resolved in a cooperative fashion and laboratories demonstrating exceptional performance will be appropriately recognized. Within the framework of this program, EH&S is committed to functioning as a resource for laboratory operations through on-site consultative visitations and by conducting basic lab assessments to help identify areas where attention is needed and where EH&S can be of assistance. EH&S, in conducting these assessments will apply best practices such as those developed by the American Chemical Society and will seek advice and guidance from the designated laboratory safety coordinators, laboratory supervisors, PIs and the Institution Committee on Chemical Safety throughout the process. Obviously the universe of what constitutes safe science encompasses a broad range of topics and this program is aimed at focusing on a limited number of issues that all laboratories using chemical, biological and radioactive materials should share in common. This includes items such as: Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment; Updated Lab Safety Cards; Personnel with documented Lab Safety Trainings; Protocols Reviewed for Safety; Current Chemical Inventory; Maintained Hazardous Materials Accumulation Area; and Functional Safety Equipment. EH&S staff are assigned a certain number of labs and buildings and these staff members will act as liaison between the lab and EH&S program areas as well as a resource for lab personnel. On-site assessments will typically result in a report of findings using a standardized checklist. These checklists will also be available to laboratories that want to conduct self-assessments. The report is generated after the assessment is provided to the Principal Investigator and his/her designee and EH&S will assist with any related corrective actions or any other assistance that may be needed. In unusual situations, based on the assessment, immediate action may be necessary however in most cases it is expected that a mutually agreeable abatement schedule can be agreed upon. It is expected that corrective action for some findings will be the primary responsibility of Physical Plant or EH&S. For the more routine issues, the goal is to have either the issues that need attention abated within a two week timeframe. The findings and the associated corrective actions are entered into the Lab Assessment database to track performance within the laboratories. Ultimately the assessments will help identify areas that EH&S can target for improvement. If EH&S discovers labs or departments struggling to meet minimum performance requirements, SHAPE will enable them to direct training sessions or resources towards these areas. The Lab SHAPE Program will also help ensure that research laboratories conform to the policies established by EH&S and the regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standards, the National Fire Prevention Association, MA Department of Environmental Protection, and the Environmental Protection Agency. EH&S will work with lab personnel, Principle Investigators, and Department Heads to evaluate the effectiveness of this program. This provides opportunities to improve not only the assessment process, but also the health and safety practices with the lab environment. There will also be a continuous improvement Process as an integral component of this program. EH&S is committed to monitoring the effectiveness of this effort and making improvements based on lessons learned. Associated Documentation: Lab Safety Health Assessment Partnership Evaluation: Procedure that outlines the guidelines EH&S must follow when performing lab assessments. Research laboratories can familiarize themselves with this procedure as well, so as to prepare for each routine inspection. (EHSLABSSOP01)Report of Inspection: This document is a template of the protocol that EH&S uses to assess the health and safety practices within a lab. (LSIReport) Lab Safety Health Assessment Partnership Evaluation Cover Letter: A cover letter will be sent along with the lab inspection report to the Principle Investigator (PI). The PI then reviews and responds to the report.Eachnonconformance identified through the inspection will be noted on the cover letter as well. (SHAPE Report Cover Letter) Lab Shape Questionnaire Guidance: This document provides guidance for each of the assessment questions. It clearly identifies what must be done with respect to meeting the assessment protocol questions. (LA Guidance 2) Self Assessment: Laboratories may conduct SHAPE self-evaluations. Laboratories may conduct SHAPE self-evaluations. Completing a self assessment will not replace EH&S’ lab assessment but should be utilized as a learning tool and a demonstration of interest in laboratory safety matters. Laboratories can complete a self-assessment at any time and submit it to EH&S. The completed self-assessment should identify the deviations from acceptable practices and, whenever possible, the associated corrective actions. EH&S will enterthis information into the Lab Safety Assessment database. [Note: This is not yet available] Completed self assessments should be sent to EH&S via email at shape@ehs.umass.edu. Last Modified: 12-6-06
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