Safety and Training

Equipment Training & Cost

Some equipment is available to use on a Fee For Service basis and requires in-person training. To sign up for training, please visit our Equipment Training & Cost website.

The safety of all the faculty, students, and visitors in MSE laboratory spaces is a top priority to our department and Iowa State University.  There are specific safety policies, training and record keeping that must be followed before individuals have access to MSE Lab spaces.

At a minimum all MSE students and faculty must have the following safety trainings:

  • Laboratory Safety: Core Concepts
  • Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher Safety
  • Emergency Response Guide Video
  • Other safety training as assigned due to hazard assessments or equipment.

The trainings must be recorded in either Canvas or Workday depending on the individuals’ role and/or reason for access.:

Report an Incident

Incidents that should be reported include:

Near misses (an accident that almost happened but no injury or property/equipment damage occurred), accidents that result in any physical injury, accidents that result in property or equipment damage, lab issues, safety issues, and equipment questions.

MSE Room Access

For access to rooms Hoover 3342, 3343, 3347, 3355, 3356, 3362, 3364, 3365 or Gilman 0305, 3113 or 3611, please complete this access request survey:

You may not be given access to the lab until all of your safety training is verified and hands-on equipment training is complete.

To find current lab access policies and schedule place click here:

New to MSE

For Principal Investigators (PI’s), Researchers, Grad Students, & Post Docs:

Required Trainings for all MSE Laboratory Personnel

  • Laboratory Safety: Core Concepts
  • Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher Safety
  • Emergency Response Guide Video
  • Other safety training as assigned due to hazard assessments or equipment

Information for Principal Investigators (PI’s)

For PI’s – EH&S Research Support Checklist

General Laboratory Safety Recordkeeping – List of required records to be retained by laboratory supervisors

Each MSE Principal Investigator (PI) in Hoover and Gilman can see if their researchers’ safety training is current via their research group class on Canvas, course name is “PI’s Name Research Group Training Records” or through Workday (for some university employees)

Lab Inspection Forms

EH&S Resources for Laboratories

Lab Processes

MSE Laboratory Risk Assessment for New and Existing Procedures

MSE SOP Template

EH&S SOP Template

Compatibility or Reactivity of Chemicals:

Chemical Reactivity Worksheet App (Click on “download the program” partway down the page, fill out your information, and you will be emailed a link).

Chemical Resources: –

New Equipment Purchasing

SOP’s

SOP’s are available for most of the pieces of equipment used in the MSE fee-for-service system.

MSE Characterization Labs Equipment SOP’s

Frequently Asked Questions:

MSE Grad Safety FAQ Booklet – 03-07-2022