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Safety Hub

Welcome to the 2017 Safety Hub! Below you will learn about Safety as it pertains to the iGEM competition. We expect all team members and instructors to review this information carefully prior to starting your iGEM project.

General Safety Information

What is Safety?

In iGEM, we have clear expectations for teams when it comes to safety. Please read our What is Safety page for complete details about Safe Project Design, Safe Laboratory Work, and Safe Shipment Practices.

Responsibility and the Safety Committee

We expect everyone involved with iGEM to act responsibly in the lab. Please read our Responsibility and Safety Committee page for more information on how we define Responsibility and for information on the iGEM Safety Committee.

Safety Requirements for Teams

Safety Check-In Form — Form Opens: June 2, 2017

Some organisms and parts present risks beyond what is ordinary for lab work in synthetic biology. As your project progresses, you should consider the risks presented by each organism and part you plan to use. The White List can help you with this.

Before you acquire or use any organism/part that is NOT on the White List, you must submit a Check-In. Check-Ins allow the iGEM Safety Committee to help you ensure that you will work safely with these riskier organisms/parts.

Go to the Check-In Form

"About Our Lab" Form — Due Date: June 30, 2017

This is a short questionnaire form about the laboratory where you will work on your project.

Go to the About Our Lab form

"About Our Project" Form — Due Date: June 30, 2017 & update when your primary project idea changes

This is a short questionnaire about your primary project idea. Its main purpose is to encourage you to think about the safety of your project as a whole, rather than focusing narrowly on individual parts. It can also help you think about future applications of your project, and what safety health environmental issues would be important to consider.

You should complete the "About Our Project" form, and then revise it if you choose a new primary project idea.

Go to the About Our Project form

Final Safety Form — Due Date: September 1, 2017

The Final Safety Form is a more comprehensive review of your project, and it must be signed by an Instructor or Primary Contact of your team.

Go to the Final Safety Form

Guidelines

General rules and advice for working in and outside the lab.

Ask your Instructors!

Your first resource is always your instructors, advisors, and professors. They have experience working in their own lab facilities, and they know how to work with your university to ensure lab safety. Other local resources include:

  • The laboratory manager for the lab where you work
  • The safety office or Biosafety Committee at your university/institution
  • Members of your local or national government

Help

If you have any questions or problems about safety, please reach out to us! We're here to help you! Email safety AT igem DOT org at any time with any questions you might have! We are friendly and available, and we will do our best to answer your questions quickly. Any team member can ask a question, whether you are a student, a leader, or an advisor. You should not fear that your team will suffer consequences simply because you asked us a question.