The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)

The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) The Laboratory Safety Institute is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to practice safer science worldwide.

No lesson is so important & no task is so urgent that we cannot take the time to Teach, Learn, and Practice Science Safely. The Laboratory Safety Institute is an international nonprofit education organization for laboratory safety. LSI provides the highest quality laboratory safety training, audits, inspections and consultation services throughout the world.

Publication Announcement: LSI Featured in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫!We’re proud to share that LSI's Executive Director, Stephe...
11/24/2025

Publication Announcement: LSI Featured in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫!

We’re proud to share that LSI's Executive Director, Stephen, has been published in The Science Teacher_NSTA, an award-winning, peer-reviewed practitioners’ journal for grade 9–12 educators, university faculty, and science education leaders.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 highlights innovative, classroom-tested strategies that align with the Framework for K–12 Science Education. It is a leading venue for educators seeking research-backed approaches to modern science instruction.

Stephen’s article uses national data and LSI fieldwork to reveal the systemic gaps that allow hazardous, outdated, and unlabeled chemicals to accumulate in school labs. Underfunding, limited oversight, and inadequate professional development have pushed many educators away from lab-based learning. The article calls for coordinated action including chemical audits, safer curricula, disposal funding, mandatory safety training, and stronger partnerships between schools, regulators, and communities. Creating safe, sustainable science labs is essential for protecting both students and the future of science education.

Read Stephen’s publication:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00368555.2025.2535256

We’re thrilled to see Stephen’s expertise recognized in a journal that influences science educators nationwide.

Need support improving lab safety at your school?
Contact LSI to learn how we can help assess risks, strengthen safety culture, and provide training for educators and administrators.

How to Be a More Effective Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO)📅 November 25, 2025 · Live on ZoomThe CHO role is one of the mo...
11/21/2025

How to Be a More Effective Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO)
📅 November 25, 2025 · Live on Zoom

The CHO role is one of the most important (and often least supported) positions in any lab environment. Chemical hazards remain a leading cause of lab incidents, and many CHOs inherit responsibilities without the structured guidance needed to perform them effectively.

This one-day course gives you the tools, clarity, and real-world insight needed to strengthen chemical safety in your organization.

🔹 Strengthen Your Chemical Hygiene Program
Assess and improve your Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), identify gaps, and apply practical strategies to better protect people and facilities.

🔹 Build Confidence in Your CHO Responsibilities
Gain clarity on OSHA requirements, hazard identification, control methods, and safety leadership so you can perform your CHO role with confidence and competence.

🔹 Learn What Others Miss
Get real-world examples, case studies, and expert insights that most CHOs aren’t formally trained on. Spot risks earlier, respond more effectively, and elevate your safety culture.

🔹 Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
Strengthen your expertise and your professional credentials.

If safety leadership matters in your workplace, this course is essential.

👉 Register now: https://www.labsafety.org/more-effective-chemical-hygiene-officer

Is your school planning for safer, stronger science programs in 2026?With the holiday break approaching, now is the perf...
11/20/2025

Is your school planning for safer, stronger science programs in 2026?

With the holiday break approaching, now is the perfect time to assess your science safety readiness, and LSI is here to help. We’re excited to offer FREE Safer Science™ Self-Assessments for K–12 schools and small higher-ed institutions.

🔬 K–12 Schools
Safer Science Self-Assessment → https://app.agolix.com/assessment/25838

🏫 Small Universities, Colleges & Community Colleges
Safer Science Self-Assessment → https://app.agolix.com/assessment/27128

These quick assessments help you identify strengths, uncover hidden risks, and highlight opportunities to build a safer, more effective STEM environment.

Our Safer Science™ Program gives educators and administrators a comprehensive framework to integrate safety into every part of science education. Built for today’s classrooms, it offers:
✔️Customizable Solutions
✔️Comprehensive Resources
✔️Ongoing Support
✔️Standards-Aligned

Use this holiday break to jump-start meaningful improvements and empower teachers, staff, and students with safer science practices—starting today.

We’re excited to spotlight our recent work with ORYX GTL Lab, where teams completed hands-on safety training and a full ...
11/19/2025

We’re excited to spotlight our recent work with ORYX GTL Lab, where teams completed hands-on safety training and a full lab inspection last month!

Delivered in two highly engaging batches, the sessions focused on real-world hazard identification and practical safety awareness. Participant feedback praised the training’s relevance and impact — and the recommendations will help strengthen protocols even further.

Proud to support organizations committed to building a strong safety culture. 💙

Upcoming Course: How to Be a More Effective CHO🗓 November 25, 2025 (9–5 Eastern) | 💻 Live on ZoomWhether you're a new CH...
11/18/2025

Upcoming Course: How to Be a More Effective CHO
🗓 November 25, 2025 (9–5 Eastern) | 💻 Live on Zoom

Whether you're a new CHO or a seasoned safety leader, this one-day workshop offers practical, real-world guidance for anyone responsible for chemical hygiene in the lab. Learn how to spot hazards others miss, strengthen your Chemical Hygiene Plan, and build a stronger safety culture.

Course Benefits:
• Earn CEUs
• K–12 teacher discount available
• Group discounts available for multiple attendees
• Downloadable course notebook included

If you oversee chemical safety (even informally) this course will help you elevate your skills and confidence.

👉 Register here: https://www.labsafety.org/events/how-to-be-a-more-effective-chemical-hygiene-officer-11-25-25

Upcoming Webinar: Box Cutter Injuries - Nov. 21, 2025From scalpels to glassware, sharp tools are an essential part of sc...
11/17/2025

Upcoming Webinar: Box Cutter Injuries - Nov. 21, 2025

From scalpels to glassware, sharp tools are an essential part of science learning — but they’re also a leading source of classroom injuries.

This one-hour webinar will share practical strategies to reduce laceration risks and integrate hazard analysis into everyday lab activities.

🔒 LSI Members register free: https://www.labsafety.org/events/members-only-webinar-boxcutter

This webinar is part of a special series for LSI members. Become a member today: https://www.labsafety.org/membership

We’re excited to share that the Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) will be part of the upcoming SEHSA Conference!This mem...
11/13/2025

We’re excited to share that the Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) will be part of the upcoming SEHSA Conference!

This members-only event is dedicated to advancing environmental health and safety across New York’s academic campuses.

Next Week, LSI will be presenting the NFPA 45 Course, focusing on laboratory fire safety, compliance, and practical strategies to help align lab operations with NFPA standards.

We’re honored to contribute to this professional community and support SEHSA’s mission of fostering safer, healthier learning environments.

Don’t miss your last chance this year to strengthen your biosafety skills!Join us on November 18, 2025, for the final li...
11/12/2025

Don’t miss your last chance this year to strengthen your biosafety skills!

Join us on November 18, 2025, for the final live Biosafety in the Lab Course on Zoom. This one-day training is for anyone working with live organisms, viruses, or microorganisms.

This interactive session helps you recognize, assess, and control biological risks, creating safer, more compliant lab environments.
✅ Covers BSL-1, BSL-2, and an intro to BSL-3
✅ Perfect for lab managers, technicians, researchers, and educators
✅ Certificate of completion included

👉 Register now: https://www.labsafety.org/events/biosafety-in-the-laboratory-11-18-25

Hidden risks don’t announce themselves — they live in the gaps between policy, practice, and culture.Most safety program...
11/10/2025

Hidden risks don’t announce themselves — they live in the gaps between policy, practice, and culture.

Most safety programs focus on written rules or physical hazards. But in reality, the biggest risks often emerge in the spaces between them — between what policies say, what people actually do, and what the team believes is “safe enough.”

Consider these real-world examples:
- A child killed by an MRI accident because written rules weren’t followed.
- A nurse’s fatal medication error made possible by flawed equipment and a culture of exhaustion.
- A hospital where mold silently spread for years, unnoticed because each department saw “just one case.”

Each incident reveals the same truth: no single policy, inspection, or checklist is enough.

Only by examining all three pillars — policy, practice, and culture — can labs uncover hidden misalignments before they lead to tragedy. That’s what a 360° safety review does. It connects the dots between people, process, and policy to reveal blind spots that traditional audits often miss.

🔍 Read our full article in to see how these real incidents shaped this approach — and how labs can prevent the next “never event.”: https://medhealthoutlook.com/learning-from-real-incidents-why-a-360-safety-review-is-critical-in-clinical-lab-settings/

We had an incredible time connecting with educators at the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers Annual Conferen...
11/07/2025

We had an incredible time connecting with educators at the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers Annual Conference!

More than 300 teachers and science leaders came together to learn, share, and strengthen STEM education across the Commonwealth — and we were proud to be part of it. It’s always inspiring to see how dedicated educators are to making science learning engaging and safe.

If you couldn’t make it to our booth, here are some resources and opportunities you may find helpful:

2026 Safer Science Summit – Free for K–12 STEM educators. Summits will be held across the U.S., with new locations being added.
https://www.labsafety.org/safer-science-summit

Safer Science Masterclass – A virtual webinar series designed to help teachers strengthen safety programs and connect with educators around the world.
https://www.labsafety.org/science-safety-for-teachers-masterclass-season-2-webinar-series

Safer Science Program – A comprehensive, school-wide program to build and sustain effective science safety systems and practices.
https://www.labsafety.org/science-safety-for-teachers-program

School Incident Data Dashboard – Explore national data on science lab incidents and trends.
https://www.labsafety.org/school-incident-data-dashboard

Free Safety Posters – Downloadable resources to promote safety awareness in your classroom.
https://www.labsafety.org/product-category/posters

A huge 'Thank You' to everyone who stopped by our booth and to the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers for hosting another outstanding event. We’re proud to support educators across Massachusetts in building safer science learning environments.

LSI will be at    Conference – Tomorrow!The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) is excited to be exhibiting at the Massach...
11/04/2025

LSI will be at Conference – Tomorrow!

The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) is excited to be exhibiting at the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST) Conference tomorrow, November 5th!

MAST is dedicated to improving science education at all levels and serves as the Massachusetts chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) — enhancing science teaching and empowering educators statewide. This mission aligns closely with LSI’s commitment to advancing safety education and supporting teachers in creating safer, stronger learning environments for every student world-wide.

Stop by our table to learn how LSI supports science teachers, schools, and institutions in building safer, stronger learning environments. Whether you’re looking for classroom safety resources, professional development, or ideas to strengthen your lab culture, we’d love to connect.

Address

Natick, MA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15086471900

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Our Story

The Laboratory Safety Institute is a nonprofit educational institution providing safety courses and consulting for chemical laboratories worldwide.

We have taught courses to more than 100,000 people in 27 countries, spanning 130 different industries, including research, high-tech, government, medicine, and academia. Many of our students say they love our courses because they are engaging and make a wealth of information easy to absorb and retain. Virtually any lab, anywhere can benefit from our expert training, audits and inspections.

The Laboratory Safety Institute was founded by James Kaufman, Ph.D. in 1978. While driving home from work in 1973, he heard on the radio that there had been a serious explosion at nearby Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Kaufman had recently completed post-doctoral work at Worcester Polytechnic, and had earned his Ph.D. there a few years before. Upon hearing the news of the accident, he bypassed his house, driving straight to the Worcester lab instead.

"I got there two hours after the explosion," Kaufman remembers. "The light fixtures had been blown off the ceiling, the windows had been blown out of the room. A grad student I knew blew off portions of his hands, and he was lucky he wasn't killed."