Survey Program

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in the Office of Risk Management manages a comprehensive program to ensure that ÃÛÌÒ½´Laboratories meet recommended and required safety compliance standards. All laboratories containing chemical, biological, and/or physical hazards are subject to the University survey program.

Applicability of ÃÛÌÒ½´Policy 11.2

This program is in accordance with ÃÛÌÒ½´Policy 11.2 Environmental Health and Safety, which mandates they implementation of safety measures and compliance with regulatory standards to protect the health and safety of the university community. 

Self Survey

A  is available in SciShield. EHS recommends that Principal Investigators (PIs) complete the checklist quarterly to ensure that their labs meet the expected standards.  General instruction on SchShield can be found .  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 annual laboratory surveys for all laboratories and spaces with chemical, biological, and/or physical hazards. These surveys will be scheduled in advance and, under most circumstances, only 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, the Department Chair and the Director of Research Integrity and Compliance will be provided with a summary of findings and the complete report with any images taken.  The Laboratory Supervisor should correct any findings as soon as possible,  with a targeted completion date within 30 days of receiving the summary.

If no progress has been made to resolve the findings, the survey content will be forwarded to the PI's respective Associate Dean, with the Director of Research Integrity and Compliance copied.  An additional 30 days will be granted to correct any findings. 

If after 60 days, no progress has been made to resolve the findings, the survey will be sent to the PI's respective Dean, with the Vice Provost for Research and Chief Innovation Officer included for research labs.  

If no progress has been made after 90 days, the survey will be escalated to the Provost.