The design of a research laboratory should be the product of a team effort. The team members should include (a) representatives of the scientific disciplines scheduled to use the space; (b) the environmental health and safety organization that will be concerned with safety matters within the space; (c) the architect and engineering staffs engaged to create the space; and (d) the managers who allocate funds, provide operational support, and authorize and enforce policies of procedure relevant to safety practices. The goal of this team is to design a laboratory that minimizes the hazard potential for workers within the laboratory and for the environment while providing a work environment that promotes and facilitates productive research.

The optimum laboratory design successfully meets several design criteria. To fulfill the five criteria outlined, it is necessary to assess the risks of the research program(s). The scientific staff and the environmental health and safety personnel will be in the best position to make the assessment, but the other design team members (i.e., the architect, engineer, and manager) should be included early so they fully understand the parameters of the risks and can make informed contributions to the design and operation of the laboratory. The determinants of risks associated with laboratory research are (a) the research materials, (b) the laboratory personnel, (c) the research operations, and (d) the control practices and containment systems utilized. These determinants, except for laboratory personnel, will be discussed in this paper and aspects relevant to the facility design will be identified. The emphasis of this discussion will focus on laboratories for biological and health sciences research.