Gator TRACS
As part of the University of Florida’s initiative to improve safety and increase efficiency, the web-based Gator TRACS (Tool for Risk Assessment and Compliance & Safety) platform is used to manage safety information from a singular point of access. All lab staff have the ability to review pertinent safety information such as survey reports, hazard assessments, and PPE requirements, training records, and chemical inventories.
LATCH
The Laboratory Assessment, Training, & Chemical Hygiene (LATCH) module is a platform for labs to maintain and track pertinent safety information such as personnel roster, emergency contacts, and training records. Additionally, a checklist is incorporated to identify hazards and select appropriate personal protective equipment for lab-related activities. This assessment, encompassing various hazards satisfies the hazard assessment requirement of the lab-specific chemical hygiene plan. For more information on additional chemical hygiene plan requirements, please visit this page.
Components of LATCH
- Personnel roster – PI or Lab Manager can build the lab’s roster and assign roles
- Training records – track EH&S training records for all lab staff in a single page
- Hazard assessment – completed on an annual basis and signed by all lab personnel.
Chemical Inventory
All labs, shops, studios, and UF entities that utilize hazardous chemicals are required to maintain an accurate inventory in the University’s online chemical inventory database found in Gator TRACS. More information on the chemical inventory and chemical hygiene plan requirements can be found on this page. Chemical inventories must be updated annually at minimum.
Safety Surveys
Reports summarizing EH&S’s annual safety surveys are generated through Gator TRACS. The Principal Investigator or Lab Manager have the ability to respond to or reassign corrective actions identified during the visit. All lab staff may access the survey report but only the Principal Investigator or assigned designee can respond to and close open corrective actions. Watch a short video – closing corrective action.
Biohazard Registration
Research involving specific biological hazards may require approval from the Biosafety Office or the Institutional Biosafety Committee. All biohazard project submissions, technical change amendments and 5-year renewals are processed through the Gator TRACS Biohazard Project Registration module. Please visit the Biohazard Project Registration Page for more information on what type of work requires registration.