It is the intent of this policy to prevent accidents, injuries and occupational exposures or disease in the laboratory, to help each member of the UofL community to maintain a safe and healthy laboratory, and to help ensure compliance with government health and safety regulations applicable to laboratories.

The University of Louisville recognizes and accepts its responsibility to provide its personnel, students, and visitors with a safe and healthful environment in which to perform their daily activities.
 
Each person in a supervisory or management capacity is responsible for the provision and maintenance of safe working conditions in his or her respective area, and for ensuring that all authorized and applicable safety precautions and guidelines are followed. It is of prime importance that all supervisory personnel understand and accept this responsibility for the safety of all people under their direction, as well as those not under their direction that may enter their laboratories.
 
Everyone who is employed by, a student of, or a visitor to the university must assume and, by their action, demonstrate primary responsibility for his or her own safety.
 
Each employee and student is personally responsible for complying with applicable safety precautions and guidelines. Also, each employee and student is responsible for using any safety equipment that is provided or required.

The faculty­ based Biohazards Safety Committee developed the first edition of the Laboratory Safety Manual. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety has augmented this manual, updating rules and procedures as required by current regulations and standards of care, and including additional reference information to further assist lab personnel. This updated information is now available online.

Safety is not the exclusive responsibility of any one individual, department or office. Recognizing this, the University of Louisville has created the Department of Environmental Health and Safety to help the faculty, staff, and students in meeting their responsibilities.