Definitions and Key Words
ULT - Ultra Low Temperature (Freezer)
An ultra-low-temperature (ULT) freezer, also known as a -80°C lab freezer, is a specialized storage unit used for biological sample preservation in biobanks, medical research, and vaccine storage. These freezers maintain extreme temperatures to ensure sample integrity over long periods, making them critical for scientific research, pharmaceutical development, and laboratory sustainability initiatives.
SWOOP - Switch Off Optimization Program
The Switch Off Optimization Program (SWOOP) is an energy efficiency program designed to help laboratories and research facilities reduce energy consumption. By encouraging staff to turn off unused lab equipment, lights, and electronics, SWOOP supports green lab initiatives, energy reduction strategies, and research sustainability. This simple yet effective behavioral change reduces operational costs and a facility’s carbon footprint, making it an essential component of laboratory sustainability.
WO - Work Order
A Work Order (WO) is a system used in facility maintenance, hospital work order management, and lab operations to track and schedule repairs, installations, and service tasks. By streamlining lab equipment repairs and preventive maintenance, work orders ensure compliance, safety, and efficiency in research labs, healthcare facilities, and industrial settings.
EH&S - Environmental Health & Safety
Environmental Health and safety (EH&S) professionals are responsible for maintaining lab safety, chemical safety, hazardous waste management, and sustainability compliance in research labs, hospitals, and industrial workplaces. They oversee biosafety protocols, waste disposal procedures, and emergency preparedness to protect employees, researchers, and the environment. Effective EH&S compliance reduces health risks, improves safety in laboratory environments, and ensures regulatory adherence for organizations focused on sustainability and green practices.
RLSO - Research Lab Support Office
The Research Lab Support Office (RLSO) provides operational, administrative, and technical support for scientific research labs. RLSO assists with lab procurement, equipment maintenance, sustainability programs, and waste reduction strategies. By streamlining lab management, compliance, and energy efficiency initiatives, RLSO ensures that research teams can focus on innovation and discovery while maintaining sustainability best practices.