Staying safe at NIH

The NIH is committed to supporting safe and healthy work environments for all trainees, fellows, and staff. Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is everyone’s responsibility, within our research groups and across our campus.

On this page you will find information on physical safety at the NIH, with a focus on research environments. We hope that you will be proactive to avoid accidents and injury and want to be sure you know who to contact and where to go in case of an accident.

All members of the Intramural Research Program must complete laboratory safety training every year. Additional required trainings depend on your age, what type of research you will be doing, and whether you will be working with specific pathogens in your research group.

All safety trainings are hosted by the Division of Occupational Health and Safety. Consult this table and talk with your daily supervisor and/or PI about what trainings are required to help you stay safe at NIH.

The Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) provides support to all NIH staff in Maryland, Montana, Arizona, including trainees and fellows. DOHS maintains offices on NIH campuses in Bethesda, Baltimore, Frederick, and Hamilton. DOHS also provides contract safety support for NIH staff working out of facilities in Phoenix, AZ. Safety at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina is provided by the NIEHS Health and Safety Branch (HSB). DOHS and HSB provide support in many areas:

If you get injured at work, you should contact your local Occupational Medical Services (OMS) clinic. If your injury resulted in a lab-related exposure:

1. Immediately initiate first aid at the worksite-wash wounds with soap and water or irrigate eyes or mucous membranes as applicable, for 15 minutes,
2. Notify your supervisor, if available,
3. Report to your local OMS:
   • Bethesda: Building 10, Room 6C306, (301) 496-4411
   • Baltimore: Room 01B210, (443) 740-2309
   • IRF-Frederick: Room 1B116, (301) 631-7233
   • NIEHS-RTP: Building 101, Room E111, (984) 287-4178
   • RML-Hamilton: Room 5205, (406) 375-9755
   • NIDDK-Phoenix: (301)496-4411

If your exposure is related to an old-world nonhuman primate, consult the Nonhuman Primate and Other Research Animal Bite, Scratch, Splash, and Exposure (BSSE) Guidelines.

If you require immediate assistance on campus, call the NIH police:

• Bethesda: Building 31/Room B3B17
  • 911 for emergencies
  • 311 or (301) 496-2387 for non-emergencies
• Baltimore: 9-911
• IRF-Frederick: 9-911
• RTP-North Carolina: 9-911
• RML-Hamilton: 0

The NIH Division of Emergency Management is the main emergency planning resource for the NIH. Explore their resources and be prepared for an emergency:

• Access basic emergency preparedness procedures online, or download the PDF version and keep it at your desk.
• Explore workplace emergency preparedness, including your building's emergency plan (if available).
• Sign up to receive emergency alerts (ALERT NIH) in the event of a local emergency.

Provides guidance to staff regarding COVID safety measures.

Visit the NIH DOHS COVID website.

Provides oversight and resources to keep laboratories safe, including radiation,  biological, chemical, and laser safety.

Visit the Lab Safety Resources website.

Provides guidance and hosts important safety trainings.

Visit the Lab Safety Training website.

Supports you in finding ways to decrease injuries related to your workspace.

Visit the Ergonomic Assessments website.

Enhances the health and safety of the NIH workforce through a variety of work-related medical and counseling services.

• If you have questions about laboratory safety issues or observe unsafe or unhealthy work conditions in your research group, speak with your supervisor and/or PI. You can also consult your lab safety specialist. You may also request a consultation or make reports of unsafe or unhealthy work conditions by reaching out to DOHS to report an unsafe condition.

• Pre-placement Evaluations in OMS
• DOHS Safe Lab Practices and Procedures
• Department of Occupational Health and Safety Safe Laboratory Practices and Procedures
• Information on Laboratory Safety Trainings
• Register for AlertNIH
• Resources for Reporting Unsafe of Unhealthful Work Conditions
• Reporting an Injured Animal On-Campus - Injured or distressed wildlife can be reported by calling either 301-496-5685 or 311, and the on-call veterinary staff will be notified.