Laboratories contain hazardous substances that can pose a serious danger to public health if handled by untrained personnel or removed from the laboratory. In addition, laboratories contain expensive instruments and equipment that must be protected from unauthorized use, vandalism, and theft. Therefore, it is imperative that laboratory personal implement appropriate security precautions to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to laboratory materials and equipment. To secure the laboratory, laboratory personnel should:
- Identify potential security risks in the laboratory (e.g., laboratory doors left open, doors left unlocked when the laboratory is unattended, or unsecured hazardous substance storage areas).
The following security procedures must be followed in all laboratories:
- Keep doors closed at all times and locked when no authorized personnel are present.
- Do not leave hazardous substances unattended or unsecured at any time.
- Restrict access to freezers, refrigerators, storage cabinets, and other equipment where hazardous substances are stored.
- Limit laboratory access to approved laboratory personnel who are properly trained with regard to the hazards present in the laboratory and the type of work they will perform.
- Restrict off-hours access to individuals authorized by the Laboratory personnel.
- Escort visitors to and from the laboratory.
- Challenge or question unfamiliar or suspicious individuals that gain access to restricted areas or to the laboratory. Report these incidents to Safety Officer.
- Report any missing inventory to Safety Officer.
- Report all acts of vandalism, theft, or suspicious activities to the Safety Officer.
The contractor hired by a Faculty member for specific purpose or by facility to work inside the lab or by the department or any adjunct hired by the University to conduct laboratory work is expected to fully comply with the safety rules applying to faculty and staff.
Restricted Access for Visitors
Visitors should not be allowed to enter laboratories unattended and should be escorted to and from the laboratory by authorized Alfaisal University personnel.
Restricted Access for Minors
With the exception of undergraduate students enrolled in instructional courses at Alfaisal University, access to laboratories is restricted for individuals under the age of 18. The following age restrictions apply to Alfaisal University laboratories:
- Individuals under 12 years of age are not permitted in laboratories.
- Individuals between the ages of 12 and 15 may tour laboratories as part of chaperoned tour groups comprised of a maximum of eight visitors. Two chaperones are required per tour group. Visitors that tour laboratories must be approved by the laboratory personnel and must be given basic laboratory safety instruction by the laboratory personnel before entering laboratories. As a general rule, individuals in this age group are not permitted to perform experiments in the laboratory.
- Individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 may tour laboratories as part of chaperoned tour groups comprised of a maximum of 12 visitors. Visitors that tour laboratories must be approved by the laboratory personnel and must be given basic laboratory safety instruction by the laboratory personnel before entering laboratories.