Lab Matters Summer 2025 | Page 29

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH of employees a main priority at the laboratory.

Using the Survey as a Tool

Even if your laboratory doesn’ t feel ready to apply for the award, the survey can be a great tool to help you. The survey is broken into several distinct sections which can be used to evaluate where the laboratory may be succeeding in health and environmental stewardship, and which areas might need more improvement. Ideas for incorporating more wellness and environmental sustainability practices can also be generated from the survey questions. Table 1 outlines some of these ideas, along with other best practices taken from the completed survey of previous award winners. Be on the lookout for other future APHL resources to help laboratories determine viable paths towards increasing their own health, wellness and environmental activities. g

Survey Section

Health Promotion

Tips for Your Laboratory

• Create a dedicated wellness committee

• Start a monthly newsletter with health advice for employees

• Provide incentives for employees to engage in healthy lifestyle activities

• Plan outdoor activities such as picnics or sporting tournaments for employees

• Create teams for 5k run / walk events

• Offer free medical surveillance programs

Safety

• Mandatory ADA compliance training

• Monthly safety meetings with all employees or a committee with representation from all areas

• Rotating safety inspections with all employees

• Create a job hazard analysis for each position in the laboratory

• Safety award for improvements / actions to ensure safety

Work and Life Balance

Green Building Aspects

• Designated lactation rooms

• Designated exercise spaces

• Promote professional development

• Include windows in the laboratory or stairwell

• Become LEED-certified

• Become WELL-certified

Energy Usage / Efficiency

• Update lighting systems to incorporate motion detection, high efficiency bulbs or add timers to lights

• Policy to turn off machines when not in use

Water Quality / Efficiency

Green Laboratory Practices

• Update sinks to be water efficient

• Add water bottle refilling stations

• Recycling plastic, gloves and glassware

• Keep high-volume gases in large-volume tanks outside the laboratory

• Re-usable plates and utensils for staff events

Environmental Practices / Behavior

• Offer funding / reimbursement for public transportation

• Provide incentives for walking / biking to work

• Practice green purchasing policies by buying recycled or environmentally certified products

Table 1. Best Practices Taken from Previous Award Winners