Research - Laboratory Shutdown Checklist Template - 04/01/20

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Finn

Research laboratory shutdown checklist template for coordinating remote work and safeguarding lab operations during a shutdown. It defines goals suitable for offsite completion, sets expectations for documentation and ongoing meetings, and organizes shutdown tasks by general safety, chemicals and equipment, biological materials and animals, and radiological materials. Includes data backup, access control, hazardous materials handling, waste collection requests, controlled substance inventory steps, essential services adaptations, and guidance to consult institutional safety and animal care resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Research/Laboratory Shutdown Checklist Template (04/01/20)

Remote goals and interaction planning

Lab shutdown – General safety and equipment

Lab shutdown – Chemicals, materials and equipment

Lab shutdown – Biological materials and animals

Lab shutdown – Radiological materials

Essential services adaptations

Research/Laboratory Shutdown Checklist Template (04/01/20) For each person in the group, develop a list of goals that can be completed remotely: ・ Data analysis ・ Manuscript preparation ・ Reading literature ・ Preparing grant materials ・ Remote course work ・ Acquisition of new computational skills ・ Professional development activities ・ Take online safety training Establish a plan for ongoing interactions: ・ Determine format and interval for all-group meetings and one-on-one and smaller meetings. Many labs have weekly group meetings via Zoom. ・ Establish expectations for how researchers document their work when working remotely. Lab shutdown – General safety and equipment ・ Distribute lab contact list ・ Remove all perishable food from break areas, lockers and refrigerators ・ Back up critical research data ・ Ensure lab members have remote access to work off site ・ Secure lab notebooks and other data ・ Take laptops home or secure in locked locations ・ Secure physical hazards, such as sharps ・ Remove items from window ledges ・ Close all gas valves and water taps ・ Shut off gas to area, if possible ・ Decontaminate areas of the lab as you would do routinely at the end of the day ・ Lock all outer lab doors ・ Update emergency contacts on outer doors ・ Cancel orders for non-essential research materials if they have not yet shipped. ・ Contact loading dock/mail services personnel to notify them of any expected incoming shipments. ・ Do not place any packages potentially containing dry ice in a walk in cold room or freezer Lab shutdown – Chemicals, materials and equipment ・ Consolidate storage of valuable perishable items within storage units that have backup systems. ・ Fill dewars and cryogen containers for sample storage and critical equipment ・ Properly secure all hazardous materials in long-term storage. Use secondary containers for any chemicals stored on the floor. ・ Ensure all flammables are stored in flammable storage cabinets with secondary containment ・ Ensure all items are labeled appropriately ・ Remove all chemicals and glassware from benchtops and fume hoods and store in cabinets or appropriate shelving ・ Request waste pickup for chemicals that may become unstable over time ・ Submit a collection request for all chemical waste items ・ Ensure all hazardous chemical waste containers are securely closed, properly labeled and stored by compatibility. Use secondary containers for wastes not stored in storage cabinets. ・ Collect contents of any acid/base baths and request waste pickup. ・ Confirm inventory of controlled substances and document in log book. ・ Secure controlled substances. ・ Check that all gas cylinders are secured and stored in an upright position. ・ Remove gas cylinder regulators and use caps. ・ Ensure cryogenic liquids are properly vented. Lab shutdown – Biological materials and animals ・ Ensure all items are labeled appropriately. ・ Freeze any biological stock material for long-term storage. ・ Consolidate storage of valuable perishable items within storage units that have backup systems. ・ Fill dewars and cryogen containers for sample storage and critical equipment. ・ Remove infectious materials from biosafety cabinets and autoclave, disinfect, or safely store them as appropriate. ・ Decontaminate and clean any reusable material that may be contaminated with biological material. ・ Disinfect and empty biological waste in aspirator collection flasks. ・ Collect all solid biological waste in appropriate containers. Dispose of waste properly. ・ Ensure cryogenic liquids are properly vented. ・ Designate essential employees to take care of animals. ・ Contact UAF Animal Resources Center (ARC) about current animal care recommendations. Lab shutdown – Radiological materials ・ Ensure all items are labeled appropriately. ・ Secure/lock radioactive materials inside a refrigerator, freezer, lockbox or cabinet in accordan

FAQs

How should researchers plan work that can be completed remotely during a lab shutdown?

The template asks each group member to develop remote-completable goals such as data analysis, manuscript preparation, reading literature, preparing grant materials, remote coursework, skills development, professional development, and online safety training.

What are the key general safety and equipment steps to perform when shutting down a lab?

Steps include distributing the lab contact list, removing perishable food, backing up critical data, ensuring offsite remote access, securing lab notebooks and data, securing laptops, managing sharps and window ledge items, closing gas and water, decontaminating routine areas, locking outer doors, updating emergency contacts, and canceling non-essential orders while notifying mail or loading dock services of expected shipments.

How does the checklist address chemicals, biological materials, and radiological materials during shutdown?

It requires securing hazardous and flammables in appropriate storage, labeling and storing chemicals and glassware away from benchtops, arranging waste pickup and collection, confirming and securing controlled substances with documented inventories, and handling gas cylinders and cryogens. For biological materials, it specifies labeling, freezing for long-term storage, decontaminating and safely storing or autoclaving infectious materials, and properly collecting and disposing biological waste. For radiological materials, it instructs secure storage in approved containers and refrigerators/freezers/lockboxes, approved waste storage, requesting waste pickup, and consulting EH&S if relocation is needed.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Finn