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Department of Biology

Facilities & Safety

FACILITY ISSUES & EMERGENCIES

To report non-urgent maintenance requests for labs and offices, please email amk31@psu.edu.

For urgent matters, please contact Aaron Knight at 814-863-2154 during regular business hours, or call 814-933-7310 after hours (emergencies only).

OPP Contact Info (for facility emergencies)

            Area 4 Service Desk (M-F, 7am to 3:30pm): 814-865-4317

            Work Reception Center (Sa-Su, and after 3:30pm on weekdays): 814-865-4731

 

EQUIPMENT REPAIRS, MOVES & DISPOSALS

To initiate equipment repairs or moves, please contact Aaron Knight at Sun Ordway Labamk31@psu.edu or call 865-2154.

For disposal of equipment, the removal of any hazardous materials (oil, gases/refrigerant) must be completed beforehand. Contact Aaron Knight to initiate a work order with OPP. Please note that this cost will be charged to the current user/PI. In addition, any large items, such as ultra-low freezers and deli cases, will have to be removed and transported by OPP, thus there is an additional charge associated with this.

For smaller items, please place them in the receiving area by the loading dock on 1st floor in Mueller Lab and send an email to amk31@psu.edu with a list of items, including any property tag #’s found on any equipment.

 

SHARED EQUIPMENT (Department Use Only)

Please view the linked file below for a list of equipment available for shared use. For further information, including location and access, please contact Aaron Knight (amk31@psu.edu).



​xlsx icon Biology shared equipment.xlsx

 

ACCESS REQUESTS

For key and swipe issuance, please fill out this form, complete with the supervisor and requestor’s signature, and return to Aaron Knight either electronically or to 220 Mueller Lab.

*Huck occupants need to send their requests to huckaccess@psu.edu.

 

INJURY REPORTING

To report any type of injury, please notify the appropriate representative within 24 hours of the incident, if possible.

Paid Employees: You must contact Cassie Cavell from the College Facilities Office at cxj8@psu.edu or 814-863-0869

Students and Volunteers: Please complete the following form and send to the address listed at the top of the form. Also, please notify the department safety officer for record purposes and possible follow-up. Incident Form

 

SAFETY TRAININGS

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), with the support of the department and Eberly College, requires specific safety trainings for all faculty, staff and students engaged in laboratory research. Below is a current list of trainings which are located on EHS’s website and by following the ‘Training’ quick link located to the right.

  • Laboratory Safety and Laboratory Hazard Communication

    • Laboratory Safety Initial – UP (first year/new hires or volunteers)
    • Laboratory Safety Refresher (subsequent years)

* When completed, please send a copy for departmental records to Aaron Knight via email or inter-campus mail, 220 Mueller Lab. An additional copy should also be kept with the lab’s Laboratory and Research Safety Plan.

    • Laboratory/Research Safety Officer Training (Principal investigators and lab safety officers only)

  • Pesticide Worker Protection Standard (requirement for greenhouse access and use)

  • Machine Shop Safety – Required with the use of tools inside the lab or in the field when conducting University research. See here for an overview and required forms.

* Please send a copy to Aaron Knight for departmental records.

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Program

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2023 Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Map

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) has issued the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Program to address the spotted lanternfly outbreak in Pennsylvania. This outbreak of invasive species can and will have a major economic and agricultural impact. This is a new PA law and Penn State is required to comply. If you travel to and work within the quarantine zone pictured above, please contact Aaron Knight at amk31@psu.edu for required training and permitting. If you are just traveling directly through the zone, this does not apply.

 

Why do we need to do this?

There are multiple reasons:

1. It is the law in PA. Penn State (including all people who work for Penn State) is required to comply. PSU policy states we will comply with all laws.

2. Penn State is in support of this program, and the College of Agriculture is assisting the state with this effort.

3. The spotted lanternfly can quickly decimate hardwoods, fruit trees, including grapes and hops, and nurseries. PA is a major producer and exporter in these industries, and the economic impact will be great if this is not controlled.

4. People not complying can receive a ticket and fine from the police.

Click here to learn more about this program.