The Micro Gram: PSU's Lab Safety Newsletter

Welcome The Micro Gram's landing page! Below you will find the archive of previously released Micro Grams from over the years.

The Micro Gram: Winter 2024

It's Lab Safety Awareness Week! Learn more in this edition:

  • Proper Chemical Storage
  • Lab Safety Awareness Week events
  • Field Work Safety Training - May 3rd, 2024
  • Upcoming lab safety training offerings

The Micro Gram: Fall 2023

In this digest, you will learn a bit more about:
  • How to report a lab incident  that occurs on campus or while performing field work
  • The brand new field work safety manual and resources
  • Lessons Learned: freezer turned off due to alarms sounding - 20 years of research lost
  • Upcoming lab safety training offerings

The Micro Gram: Spring 2023

Exciting things you can learn a bit more about in this edition are:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and General Lab Attire
  • When and how to sign up for the upcoming Lab Safety Trainings
  • Lessons Learned: Nitrogen Dewar Tip-over Incident
  • PSU Green Lab Tip of the Spring

Spring 2022 Laboratory Freezer Cleanout

Springtime is a great time of year to take a good look at what is currently being stored in your lab's fridge/freezer. 

Are there:

  • things that can go? 
  • things to be inventoried? 
  • areas that need cleaning/defrosted?
  • ways to decrease the impact on the environment?

A shortened version of this flier can be found here: Spring Laboratory Freezer Cleanout (short)

The Micro Gram: Fall 2021

Featured in this edition:

  • Help PSU be More Green
  • Freezer Challenge
  • Laboratory Safety Leads
  • Become a My Green Lab Ambassador
  • Upcoming virtual lab safety training schedule

The Micro Gram: Winter 2019

Featured in this edition:

  • Laboratory Hot Plate Safety Tips
  • PPE for the Laboratory
  • Lessons Learned: Peroxide Explosion
  • Upcoming Winter Term events
  • Upcoming Lab Safety Training Dates

The Micro Gram: Fall 2018

Featured in this edition:

  • Lessons Learned: PSU Lab Incident Review 2017-2018
  • New Training: Undergraduate Laboratory Safety Training
  • Chemical Fume Hood Use
  • Science News: The Chemistry Grad School Experience
  • Tips for Avoiding the Flu 
  • Upcoming Events
  • Upcoming Lab Safety Training Dates

The Micro Gram: Spring 2018

Featured in this edition:

  • Lessons Learned: Flash Fire
  • Shut the Sash
  • Be Aware of Peroxide Forming Chemicals
  • Proper way to Smell a Chemical
  • Upcoming Lab Safety Training Dates
  • Message from the Chemical Hygiene Committee

The Micro Gram: Winter 2018

Featured in this edition:

  • Lessons Learned: Understanding Procedures
  • Five Steps to a Greener Lab
  • Message from the Chemical Hygiene Committee
  • Preventing Winter Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Fume Hood Operation Tip

The Micro Gram: Fall 2017

Featured in this edition:

  • Lessons Learned: Incompatible Waste Containers
  • Chemical Storage Tips
  • Prevent Lab Electric Hazards
  • Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
  • New Training Opportunity: Formaldehyde
  • Got Waste