Principal Investigator Responsibilities

All Laboratory Principal Investigators who are new to the College of Agricultural Sciences are required to complete Environmental Health and Safety's PI Orientation Class.

All principal investigators are responsible to:

• be thoroughly informed of the contents of the LRSP and how it applies to their areas of responsibility and authority.
• work with all members of their lab or research group to complete the LRSP addressing all laboratory hazards.
• ensure Standard Operating Procedures are developed for hazardous chemicals/operations not covered in the LRSP.
• either act as or assign an individual in his/her laboratory the responsibility for overseeing safety within the laboratory. This person serves as the Laboratory/Research Safety Officer.
• ensure employees, visitors, and students receive general Laboratory Safety training provided by EHS.
• ensure employees, visitors and students receive unit specific training on hazards not covered by general EHS safety training.
• ensure employees, visitors, and students read, comply and complete LRSP certification.
• investigate all injuries and incidents related to laboratories and research areas.
• notify employees, visitors, or students of hazardous chemical monitoring results, if any.
• inspect labs for safety compliance
• enforce use of engineering controls, safe work practices, and required personal protective equipment.
• make sure that hoods, exhaust fans and other safety equipment are functioning properly.
• maintain an adequate supply of personal protective equipment in the laboratory and correct misuse that would diminish effectiveness of the equipment.
• answer employee's questions and concerns.
• forward unresolved questions and concerns to EHS for response.
• provide training and information on the LRSP including the Unit Specific Plan to all affected employees, visitors, and students.
• review and update Unit Specific Plan annually. Complete certification.
• make sure employees, visitors, or students who develop signs or symptoms associated with hazardous chemical exposure are given an opportunity to receive medical attention. Make available to employees permissible exposure limits for hazardous chemicals, information on signs and symptoms associated with exposures to hazardous chemicals used, and Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals used. EHS is available to provide guidance.