Laboratory Clean Areas

Learn about laboratory Clean Areas, where eating and drinking are permitted.

Requirement

Eating, drinking, food storage, application of cosmetics, and handling of contact lenses in research laboratories is permitted only in approved, posted Clean Areas.

Clean Areas are not permitted in facilities where biosafety level 2+ or 3 work is conducted.

Designate a Clean Area

When required by space considerations, Clean Areas may be designated within lab areas containing desks, writing tables, or food refrigerators.

The area must be:

• Physically separated from any laboratory work area by at least one meter, or by a substantial physical barrier such as a solid bookcase or an acrylic shield
• Approved by Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S)
  • Contact the EH&S Research Safety Program specialist for your building to get approval
• Posted with a Clean Area sign
  • Print a Clean Area sign: (PDF) (Word file)
• Equipped with a waste receptacle for non-laboratory trash only

Protect Clean Areas from contamination by doing the following:

• Remove gloves and wash your hands after working with hazardous materials and before handling any papers or working in a Clean Area.
• Conduct routine laboratory surveys within and at the boundaries of Clean Areas to detect radioactive contamination.

Safety

Laboratory

• Close or Relocate a Lab
• Engineering Controls
• Eye Wash & Emergency Shower
• Decontamination Clearance for Equipment & Facilities
• Clean Areas
• Lab Notes Newsletter
• Safety Labels
• Magnets
• Minors
• Non-laboratory Personnel Guidelines
• Power Failure
• Research Assistance Program
• Resources for New PIs
• Centrifuge
• Preventing Reproductive Hazards