The Division of Safety (DS) routinely performs clearances to check for visible research-related hazards prior to renovations and maintenance of laboratories.
Laboratory clearances are required before the following activities:
Any renovation, whether partial or complete, of a laboratory.
Any maintenance or similar work in a laboratory that requires the entry of maintenance or other staff that is not knowledgeable about laboratory safety and/ or aware of potential hazards in the space.
In addition, for BSL-2 laboratories, work on ventilation equipment, and re-occupancy of newly renovated areas.
In BSL-3 laboratories, all of the above and prior to any housekeeping (i.e. waxing of floors) or routine maintenance of equipment.
Labs wishing to surplus or remove lab equipment must ensure the equipment has been appropriately decontaminated and a “Certification that Property is Free from Hazards" is filled out and attached to the equipment. Some equipment, like Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs), do not submit a clearance request. Instead, these require gaseous decontamination by the primary barrier contractor and a “DECONNED" sticker affixed to the BSC. Place a 
Service Request for gaseous decontamination of a Biosafety Cabinet . Please note this link is only accessible on the NIH Intranet. For more information on Biosafety Cabinets , 
click here. Please contact your safety specialist for additional details.
Submit all laboratory clearance requests through myCority. Contact your Safety & Health Specialist for additional information.
Helpful Resources
Moving Your Lab Safely
Health and Safety Application Resources (NIH Only) which provides access to:
· myCority PDF User Guide – Requesting a Lab Clearance
· myCority Video Walkthrough – Submit a New Lab Clearance Request
back to the top
