Laboratory Inspections

Research Integrity conducts routine, University-wide laboratory safety inspections. The intent of these inspections is to promote a culture of safety, reduce the risk of injury to researchers and students, protect Michigan Technological University property, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and University rules and regulations. During these inspections, some of the areas of safety reviewed include:

• housekeeping and general safety 
• chemical, radiation, and biological safety 
• gas cylinder and cryogenic liquid management
• fire, electrical, and equipment safety 
• other safety areas unique to laboratories or field research 

Inspections are generally scheduled in advance. The laboratory's Principal Investigator(s) or a staff lab manager is expected to attend the inspection. Inspections typically take 30–60 minutes per room. Laboratories are encouraged to conduct a pre-inspection by downloading the list of inspection questions and correcting any deficiencies.

Inspections are conducted using the cloud-based software LabcliQ. When an inspection is completed, the results are immediately shared with the researcher and the department chair. 

After a lab inspection, the PI or designated lab manager may be assigned one or more corrective actions. After 14 days, LabcliQ will automatically send an email reminder and will continue to send email reminders every seven days thereafter until the corrective action has been addressed. After the second email reminder, the department chair/dean will be notified until the issue is addressed.

If a corrective action will take longer than the initial 14 days, an extension must be requested using LabcliQ. Extension requests must include a plan for addressing the deficiency.

LabcliQ Accounts

Accounts are only given to faculty and staff. When your account has been activated, you will receive an introductory email from a Michigan Tech LabcliQ administrator. Immediately use the link included in the email to complete your registration. Once you have done this, no further action is required until after your laboratory is inspected.

Logging in to LabcliQ

• Go to the LabcliQ website
• On the sign-in page, set the Single Sign-On slider to "On"
• If necessary, enter your email (including @mtu.edu) then click Login
• Click on the Michigan Technological University logo
• Sign in using your Michigan Tech credentials
• You should now be in LabcliQ!

What to Do with Open Corrective Actions

After a lab inspection, the PI or designated lab manager can address any assigned corrective actions one of three ways in LabcliQ or by reviewing the Detailed Instructions for Managing Corrective Actions:

1. After resolving the corrective action, use LabcliQ to either post a comment and/or upload a picture to show how it was corrected, then select the “Complete” action bar.
2. If additional time is needed to complete the action (e.g., equipment or supplies need to be purchased, a facilities work order has been initiated, or the action is time-consuming), then use LabcliQ to request an extension.
3. Under certain circumstances, the corrective action may need to be reassigned to another staff member with a LabcliQ account. (Please note that corrective actions can only be reassigned to faculty and staff. Graduate students are typically not given a LabcliQ account and cannot be assigned a corrective action. Do not use the reassign button in place of a Facilities Management Work Order Request.)

Questions about a Corrective Action

If, after reviewing the open corrective actions and any associated pictures, you still have questions:

• Send an email to lab-inspections-l@mtu.edu (preferred), 
• Call 487-2902, or
• Contact the person who conducted your lab inspection directly

Please do not use the comment field for questions. This field should only be used to explain how a corrective action was addressed.

Detailed Instructions for Managing Corrective Actions

1. If corrective actions assigned to you are not automatically displayed, click the Corrective Actions link listed under Inspection Findings in the black column on the left side of the open window.
2. Verify that the Open Actions tab is selected at the top of the page and the date range coincides with the inspection date.
3. Click on the orange Manage folder for each corrective action.
4. For guidance on what you should do to resolve the open corrective action(s), refer to the general comments and the Inspector Notes listed below your name, and/or the photograph taken during the inspection.
5. Prior to marking a corrective action complete, you must upload a photo showing how the situation was corrected or explain how you resolved the corrective action in the comment field.
   1. Click the yellow Photo button to upload a picture documenting that the corrective action was resolved appropriately.
   2. Click the light-blue Comment button to add a description of how you resolved the corrective action.
6. Click the Complete button after you have provided a photo or explanation.
7. If you do not provide an explanation or photo, the corrective action will be reopened.
8. To request an extension on one or more corrective actions, click the dark-blue Extend button, enter a Requested Extension Date, and provide a reason for the extension request.
9. Under certain circumstances, the corrective action may need to be reassigned to another staff member with a LabcliQ account.
   1. Please note that corrective actions can only be reassigned to faculty and staff. Graduate students are typically not given a LabcliQ account and cannot be assigned a corrective action.
   2. Do not use the reassign button in place of a Facilities Management Work Order Request. 
   3. Contact lab-inspections-l@mtu.edu if you have questions about reassigning the corrective action to another individual.