Lab & Space Safety

for UCLA Samueli Engineering Student Organizations

KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE & DO NO HARM

Guiding principles for students, engineers and future leaders.

Before you Begin Checklist

Before you Begin Checklist

This is a guide to help you plan for an activity.  Please provide the information to the checklist items below and review this with your Faculty Advisor before you start on your project or activity.

Checklist:

  1. Name of project or activity
  2. Names, title, and contact information of project lead(s)
  3. Summary of project or activity
  4. Outcomes of project or activity
  5. Who are the participants?
    • How many of them are there, per event/activity?
    • Are there any specific skills or abilities they need to participate?
  6. List of tools, equipment, materials, and chemicals that will be used
  7. Where will these tools, equipment, materials, and chemicals be stored and will you have access? Please do not order supplies before determining a place to store your items.  For bulky shipments (arriving on shipping pallets), please contact Anthony Redon, aredon@seas.ucla.edu, to see if temporary storage of your materials is available. 
  8. What are the hazards involved in your activity that could cause harm to your participants?
    • Are you using tools or equipment that can cause harm if used incorrectly or an accident occurs?
    • Does this involve strenuous activity or mobility?
    • Are you using chemicals beyond what you would find on the shelf in a kitchen that is used to prepare a meal?  You will need to review the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (see the Lab & Space Safety for Student Organization leaders website, https://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/lab-safety) and review this with your faculty advisor.
  9. What trainings (and/or instructions) do you have to provide to your participants?
    • What do you have to teach them so they can participate?
    • What do you have to teach them to reduce the potential of an accident?
    • Are there any Standard Operating Procedures or Job Safety Analysis related to your activity that already exists that can be adopted for your activities?
  10. What policies and guidelines exist that govern your activity? Do you need participants consent to participate? Examples:
    • Paint & Sanding policy
    • Policy on Chemical waste disposal
    • Publicity Release
  11. When and where will you work on your project or activity? Is there adequate space, lighting, ventilation, etc.?
  12. What is the impact of your project or activity on the community or campus-environment?
    • How does this impact people walking by, in the nearby building, etc…?
    • What can you do to reduce the impact of your project or activity on the community or campus-environment?
  13. What is the clean-up and disposal procedures for the materials?
  14. What is the protocol in place in case there is an emergency?  What do you do?  Who do you call?  What if you’re off-site?

General Guidelines & Next Steps

  • General Guidelines
    • Any tool or equipment should have an instruction manual. Find them and have participants review them. Please supplement as needed.
    • Any activity that involves a high-level of hazard, warrants a Job Safety Analysis or Standard Operating Procedure be adopted or created.
    • Any use of chemicals require a review of the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet, a review by your faculty advisor for proper use, PPE, storage and disposal, and must be included in your Chemical Inventory sheet and submitted to EH&S.
  • Have your Faculty Advisor review your Before you Begin Checklist for approval.
  • Provide the necessary training to your participants.

Resources