Role of the Lab Safety Coordinator (LSC)

Last Revised: November 15, 2024

Faculty in Penn research labs may designate one or more lab staff members to act on their behalf for issues involving laboratory safety. These individuals are called Lab Safety Coordinators (LSCs). Lab Safety Coordinators have full access to the lab record on BioRAFT, Penn’s online database for laboratory compliance. In many cases, the LSC is also the lab manager, though not always.

See below for more information.

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What Does A Lab Safety Coordinator Do?

Serve as the main point person for communications from EHRS
Manage BioRAFT account
Model responsible lab safety conduct in your lab
Set goals for lab safety in your lab
Seek support of your PI for recurrent safety issues
Delegate lab safety tasks among your lab members
Discuss the role with outgoing and incoming lab safety coordinators

What are My Duties in BioRAFT as a Lab Safety Coordinator?

Overseeing basic lab information, including research focus and accuracy of spaces
Maintaining an up-to-date Lab Members List by adding or removing lab members as needed, including other members rotating in and out of the lab safety coordinator role
Completing the Biological Registration (if applicable)
Updating Lab’s Hazards List
Submitting Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan (ECP) update (if applicable) on an annual basis or whenever changes occur in the lab, such as new lab members or location
Preparing for lab inspections by conducting/coordinating periodic laboratory self-inspections
Responding to lab inspection reports

Responding to BioRAFT Lab Inspection Reports

Your lab has 30 days to respond to open lab inspection reports
Options for response to open reports include:

How to Designate Lab Safety Coordinators in BioRAFT

Some labs have multiple lab safety coordinators; other labs have rotating lab safety coordinators. It’s important to keep this up to date for effective management of change during lab staff transitions.

PIs and existing LSCs can assign the role to others in their lab by following these steps: 1) Go to Members Tab, 2) click on the “Edit” link next to an existing member or 3) add a new lab member and their designation, 4) check the "Laboratory Safety Coordinator" box in the "Optional Access in BioRAFT" section, and 5) click the “Lookup / Add” button to add the user as a member of the group or click "Save" if an existing member. See below:

Member List Screenshot

How to Promote/Foster a Culture of Safety in Your Lab

While the ultimate responsibility for lab culture lies with the PI of your lab, as LSC you play an important role in modeling responsible lab safety conduct and setting lab safety goals for your lab. Here are some ways in which you can achieve this:

Facilitate timely resolutions (not just responses) to items described in lab inspection reports
Discuss lab safety topics in group meetings
Model and enforce that proper PPE be donned when working in the lab
Encourage coworkers to reach out to EHRS, BAs, etc., for assistance and advice
Promote routine lab cleanup days
Highlight the importance and (personal) value in performing a risk assessment

Lab Safety Coordinator Training on Workday Learning

“Lab Safety Coordinator (LSC) Training for Research Labs – EHRS” is now available on Workday Learning. This training provides LSCs with an overview of the roles and responsibilities associated with the lab safety coordinator position and other important guidance for your role, including lab safety training requirements and emergency information. While this is not a required training, EHRS feels both new and existing lab safety coordinators can benefit, and we encourage you to log on and self-assign via this link. The training takes approximately thirty minutes to complete.

EHRS Resources for Lab Safety Coordinators