OEB Health & Safety Program


All members and professional guests of the Department of OEB, the Harvard University Herbaria, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Museum of Natural History should be familiar with the elements of the Safety Program.

Each individual has an interest in a safe learning and working environment. Therefore, each shares responsibility with the University for establishing and maintaining this environment.

Harvard's Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) provides guidance and information through their web site.

Everyone should make themselves familiar with the information available from EH&S, including the on-line training programs. In particular, those who work in laboratories are required to complete Hazardous Waste Training annually. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for laboratory reagents is also available through the EH&S web site.

Safety Program materials are available below in PDF format for downloading and printing. Each operating unit should review all elements of the Safety Program. Each building has a customized Evacuation Plan.

The Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) is in three sections and is common across all units and buildings. Each operating unit (laboratory, collection, library, etc) shall appoint a representative to the department Safety Committee.

Safety Program Documents:

Safety Orientation for New Researchers
Chemical Hygiene Plan and Lab Safety
Evac Plan MCZ Labs
Evac Plan Concord Field Station
Evac Plan Glasshouse
Evac Plan Herbaria
Evac Plan MCZ and Botanical Museum
Use of Human Subjects in Research
Use of Animals in Research and Teaching
Radiation Safety

Questions and comments may be addressed to Rebecca Chetham at: chetham@oeb.harvard.edu