If your research involves collecting human specimens, such as blood, saliva, swabs, or other bodily fluids, this work must be documented in the laboratory demographics you submit to Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) as part of your lab safety review.
This requirement includes shared clinical research spaces that support multiple studies or trials simultaneously.
Registering human specimen collection activities with EH&S helps ensure that:
- Research staff are properly enrolled in Employee Health, including medical surveillance and post exposure support
- Required training (e.g., Bloodborne Pathogens, biosafety, medical waste management) is completed and documented
- The infrastructure of collection spaces meets the standards necessary to safely conduct the scope of work, such as appropriate surfaces, handwashing access, medical waste management, and hazard signage
In shared research environments, each investigator is responsible for ensuring their study is registered and that their personnel are trained and authorized—even when another study is already operating in the same space. Documenting this information in your EH&S laboratory demographics helps confirm that responsibilities are clearly defined and that the spaces are suitable for all activities occurring in the area.
Even when activities are limited to specimen collection only (and not conducted in a BSL 2 laboratory), they are still subject to Bloodborne Pathogens requirements and institutional safety standards.
Bottom line: If you are planning—or already performing—human specimen collection, especially in shared clinical research areas, connect with EH&S early.
This simple step supports compliance, protects staff, and helps shared research spaces function safely and efficiently.