Survey Program

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in the Office of Risk Management has developed a comprehensive program for ensuring that SMU Laboratories are meeting recommended standards for safety and compliance. All laboratories containing chemical, biological, and/or physical hazards are subject to the University survey program.

Self Survey

In order to assist laboratories in complying with this program, SciShield/BioRAFT has provided a Self Survey Checklist.  General instructions on SciShield/BioRAFT can be found here.  Laboratories should use this checklist on a quarterly basis to ensure that their labs are meeting the expected standards.  For assistance or to address immediate safety concerns, please reach out to EHS at 214-768-2083 or riskmanagement@smu.edu.

EHS Surveys

EHS will conduct laboratory surveys annually for all laboratories and spaces with chemical, biological, and/or physical hazards. These surveys will be scheduled in advance and will only be conducted when a laboratory representative is present. The surveys cover the following topics:

  • General Safety
  • Life Safety
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Laboratory Equipment and Engineering Controls
  • Chemical Storage and Use
  • Hazardous Waste Handling
  • Biological Safety
  • Electrical Safety
  • Compressed Gas Safety
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Researcher Interviews
  • Records Review - including SOPs and Laboratory-Specific Training

Upon survey completion, the Principle Investigator (PI) and/or the Laboratory Supervisor will be provided a summary of findings and the complete report with any images that were taken.  The Laboratory Supervisor should correct any findings as soon as possible with a targeted completion date within 30 days of receiving the summary.  

Lab Survey Escalation Process