Preparing Post-Secondary Institutions and University Facilities for Safe Reopening - Laboratory Focus

As post-secondary institutions and universities plan to reopen, laboratories often slip through the cracks - fume hoods may be uncertified, airflow unchecked, and hand-sanitizer dispensers absent.

Imagine students arriving, only to find outdated certification on safety cabinets, unclear airflow patterns, and missing entry sanitizers.

One miscalculation in ventilation or contamination control might halt hands-on learning entirely - or worse, compromise health.

Asking staff to retrofit under pressure breeds stress, leads to errors, and damages institutional credibility.

Start now by auditing every lab: verify fume hood and biosafety cabinet certification, conduct smoke tests for airflow, install sanitizer dispensers at entry points, and reconfigure workstations for social distancing.

Develop a clear checklist and a phased timeline so labs are verified, sanitized, and safe before reopening.

Engage facilities, EHS staff, and faculty to share ownership.

This proactive preparation ensures that when students return, labs function safely, instilling confidence and continuity in hands-on instruction.