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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Lab Safety Officer

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Health & SafetyScience & ResearchComplianceFacilities Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Lab Safety Officer is a critical operational role responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all personnel within our dynamic laboratory facilities. This individual serves as the subject matter expert on all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) matters, proactively identifying risks, implementing robust safety protocols, and ensuring unwavering compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. You will be instrumental in fostering a world-class safety culture that empowers our teams to conduct innovative research safely and effectively.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • EHS Coordinator
  • Research Associate / Scientist with a strong safety focus
  • Experienced Lab Technician or Lab Manager
  • Industrial Hygiene Technician

Advancement To:

  • EHS Manager / Laboratory Safety Manager
  • Director of Environmental Health & Safety
  • Regional or Corporate Safety Lead
  • Biosafety Officer (BSO) or Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Facilities Operations Manager
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, review, and continuously improve comprehensive laboratory safety programs, policies, and procedures to ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Conduct regular, thorough safety inspections and audits of all laboratory areas, equipment, and work practices to identify potential chemical, biological, physical, and radiological hazards, documenting findings and tracking corrective actions to closure.
  • Manage the institution's Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), ensuring it is current, effectively implemented, and reviewed annually or as needed to reflect current lab activities.
  • Oversee the laboratory's hazardous materials program, including maintaining a complete and accurate chemical inventory, managing Safety Data Sheet (SDS) accessibility, and ensuring proper labeling, storage, and segregation of chemicals.
  • Lead incident and accident investigations, including near-misses, to determine root causes, develop detailed reports, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to prevent recurrence.
  • Develop, schedule, and deliver engaging and comprehensive safety training for all laboratory personnel, covering topics such as new employee safety orientation, chemical safety, biosafety, emergency procedures, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for all lab safety inquiries and act as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA, EPA, Fire Department) during inspections and audits.
  • Manage the hazardous waste disposal program, ensuring waste is properly identified, segregated, stored, and disposed of in accordance with all environmental regulations and sustainability goals.
  • Perform formal and informal risk assessments and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) for new and existing laboratory procedures, experiments, and equipment to proactively mitigate potential risks to personnel.
  • Oversee the selection, inventory, proper use, and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and conduct fit-testing for respirators as required by OSHA standards.
  • Chair the Laboratory Safety Committee, facilitating productive meetings, setting agendas, recording minutes, and driving action items to completion to foster a collaborative safety culture.
  • Develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans, including fire safety, chemical spill response, and evacuation procedures, and coordinate and conduct regular drills to ensure readiness.
  • Maintain all required EHS documentation, records, and reporting, including training records, inspection reports, incident logs, chemical inventories, and regulatory permits.
  • Evaluate and approve new chemicals, biological agents, and experimental protocols from a safety perspective before they are introduced into the laboratory environment.
  • Manage the laboratory's biosafety program, ensuring compliance with NIH guidelines and CDC standards for work involving biological materials, including recombinant DNA and infectious agents.
  • Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and changes in health and safety regulations, and integrate best practices into the laboratory's evolving safety program.
  • Coordinate the calibration, certification, and maintenance of critical safety equipment, such as chemical fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, safety showers, and eyewash stations.
  • Promote a proactive and positive safety culture through regular communication, safety campaigns, and by being a visible, approachable, and supportive safety resource for all staff.
  • Assist in the design and review of new laboratory construction or renovation projects to ensure that safety and compliance requirements are integrated from the initial planning stages.
  • Coordinate with facilities and maintenance teams to ensure that building systems critical to laboratory safety (e.g., HVAC, exhaust ventilation) are properly maintained and functioning according to design specifications.
  • Administer the lab's ergonomics program by conducting assessments of workstations and procedures to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and improve employee comfort.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc safety projects and initiatives as directed by EHS leadership.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader EHS strategy and long-term safety roadmap.
  • Collaborate with research, development, and operational teams to translate scientific needs into safe and compliant work procedures.
  • Participate in safety committee meetings and cross-functional project teams to provide EHS expertise and guidance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • In-depth knowledge of EHS regulations, including OSHA (29 CFR 1910), EPA, RCRA, and relevant state/local codes.
  • Expertise in Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) development, implementation, and management.
  • Proficiency in hazardous waste management, characterization, and disposal procedures.
  • Strong ability to conduct risk assessments and Job Hazard Analyses (JHA).
  • Proven experience in incident investigation techniques and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
  • Thorough understanding of biosafety principles and practices (BSL-1, BSL-2).
  • Familiarity with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical classification and labeling.
  • Competency in emergency response coordination and chemical spill containment procedures.
  • Experience with the operation and certification requirements of safety equipment (e.g., fume hoods, biosafety cabinets).
  • Ability to develop and deliver effective, engaging technical safety training to diverse audiences.
  • Proficiency with EHS management software and digital chemical inventory systems.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and strong observational abilities.
  • Critical thinking and pragmatic problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus among scientific and technical staff.
  • Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
  • A proactive, service-oriented mindset with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
  • Adaptability to work effectively in a fast-paced, innovative research environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in a relevant field.
  • Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
  • Occupational Safety
  • Chemistry or Biology
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Public Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of direct experience in an environmental, health, and safety role, preferably within a laboratory, research, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environment.

Preferred:

  • Experience serving as a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) or Biosafety Officer (BSO).
  • Proven track record of managing safety programs and interacting with regulatory agencies.
  • Experience developing and leading a safety committee.
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