Lab Safety Teams

What are Academic Lab Safety Teams?

LSTs, or Laboratory Safety Teams, are student-led groups that play a pivotal role in promoting a strong safety culture within their respective laboratories, departments, and institutions. Operating as grassroots groups, LSTs take independent initiative to evaluate safety concerns within their departments and institutions and offer solutions to address these issues. LSTs operate with the backing and support of department heads, safety professionals and advocates.

LSTs have the potential to achieve several important objectives:

  • Foster improved communication on safety matters among researchers at all stages of their academic careers.
  • Enrich the professional growth and development of newer researchers by providing valuable safety education and guidance.
  • Enhance the overall safety culture throughout academic institutions, promoting a proactive approach to safety and reducing risks within laboratory settings.

 


Resources for Starting & Maintaining an LST

Explore resources and strategies for students, faculty and academic staff to lead student-led lab safety teams within academic institutions:


LST Community
Image Credit: Calla Mae McCulley
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Contact Us

Is your student-led LST missing from the directory? Do you have questions about LSTs? Please contact safety@acs.org

 

Find an LST: North America

Discover what other Lab Safety Teams are doing and connect with chemistry peers at different institutions. 

Midwest

 

West & Southwest

Northeast

 

Southeast



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Peer-Led Workshops

If you're interested in learning more about our upcoming workshops, want to know when the fall dates become available, or if you have any questions, please fill out the Peer-led Workshops Information Request Form. We look forward to connecting with you!


Summer 2025 Events

ACS MARM

May 28-31, 2025

  • Empowering Academic Researchers Workshop to Strengthen Safety Culture: Check the conference page if you plan to attend MARM and wish to add this in-person workshop to your schedule. Register through Eventbrite if you only plan to attend the workshop!
  • RAMP in the Research Lab: Check the conference page if you plan to attend MARM and wish to add this in-person workshop to your schedule. Register through Eventbrite if you only plan to attend the workshop!

ACS GLRM

June 4-6, 2025

  • Empowering Academic Researchers Workshop to Strengthen Safety Culture: Register for this in-person workshop through the conference website!
  • RAMP in the Research Lab: Register for this in-person workshop through the conference website!

LST Quick Connections graphic

LST Quick Connections

A semesterly event, organized by the ACS DCHAS, to bring LST leaders and members together to share best practices for team growth and network. LST Quick Connections events create open dialogues with current LST leaders and supportive mentors (former LST leaders, LST champions, and passionate individuals who can offer guidance for teams) with the intention of forming and strengthening mentorship connections within the LST network.