Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) requires that all newly assigned research spaces receive commissioning visits by EHS and Campus Planning and Facilities Design (CP&FD). The purpose of a consulting visit is to foster a strong safety partnership with staff in order to protect individuals and the facility and to help ensure regulatory compliance. EHS will consult with the research team about the following safety topics:
- Potential hazards
- Methods to reduce the risk involved with potential hazards
- Training requirements
- Proper use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls
- Proper waste disposal
Lab Commissioning and New Research Form
Please use this form for initiating the laboratory commissioning, new research and equipment, and space change processes with EHS as early in the planning process as possible.
Lab Commissioning, New Research, Equipment, and Space Changes
Plan for each of the commissioning tasks when setting up your laboratory. The time needed to complete tasks can range from a day to weeks, months, or even years. Timing heavily depends on the need to coordinate approvals, reviews, acquisitions, designs, etc. in collaboration Institute campus partners and outside agencies. Other variables also impact the time needed to commission a lab:
- Type and complexity of your research
- Number of staff and students working in your laboratory
- Type of equipment and hazardous substances or materials you are using
Research Laboratory Commissioning visits will occur as your research evolves. Any modification that introduces a new hazardous substance, a new variable bringing different risks and precautions (e.g., high temperature, pressure), process change such as scaling up, or a change in the equipment or layout may present additional risks that must be evaluated by EHS and CP&FD. EHS will verify that you have completed tasks necessary to ensure safety and compliance, including:
- Obtaining approvals and licenses from regulatory agencies and Institute committees
- Preparing and collecting safety-related documents and making them available to staff
- Preparing and updating chemical inventories
- Verifying that all staff completes the required safety training
- Enrolling staff in the Medical Surveillance Program when applicable
- Acquiring and making available proper Personal Protective Equipment
- Posting of new or updated Hazard Assessment Signage Protocol (HASP) door signs
Please complete a Lab Commissioning and New Research Form to initiate this process with EHS. Involving EHS and CP&FD in the early planning stages can ultimately speed up the commissioning process!
