Develop a Safety Orientation Program

All new employees, students, faculty, and staff should receive a specially designed indoctrination to your safety program.

This orientation should cover the philosophy, policies, and procedures. It should explain how to deal with emergencies and how to handle emergency equipment. The new person should receive a set of rules or operating manual for the academic institution or company and be expected to read, understand, and agree in writing to follow the rules and procedures.

If you are involved in hiring new employees, consider asking the candidates the following question: "What is there in your background that suggests that you are both concerned and knowledgeable about issues of laboratory safety?"

You'll never have the special opportunity again that you have on day one to make a lasting impression about how much you care about health and safety.