SciShield FAQ

SciShield is a web-based platform developed by a researcher that allows researchers to more easily manage research safety and compliance. It is a commonly used tool utilized by major Carnegie R1 research universities, such as Clemson, to more efficiently manage large, growing research portfolios.

Among its many features, SciShield:

• Registers laboratories, researchers, authorizations, and requirements;
• Tracks hazardous materials such as pathogens, radioisotopes, high-risk chemicals, x-ray devices, lasers, etc.;
• Automates training requirements and reminders;
• Delivers online training and manages classroom training;
• Reports managing committee reviews and oversight.
• Provides for a more efficient inspection process with customized inspection templates and easy follow-up for corrective actions.

SciShield reports numerous benefits experienced at other top research institutions:

• A 60% average reduction in time spent by researchers on the top 15 common safety tasks.
• Between 53% and 84% reduction in time spent on training and other safety-specific tasks.
• 1,288 fewer hours spent conducting inspections by environmental, health and safety staff.

Faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students that work or conduct research in a lab, shop, farm or other Research and Teaching area will use SciShield. Additional information on Research Safety programs and procedures can be found on the OES website.

Information is viewable only to authenticated and authorized individuals.  For example, institutional compliance officers can view high-level information about laboratories across the institution.  Principal Investigators in a lab can see relevant information only about their lab and lab members.  Individual researchers can see only their information and certain information about their lab’s activities (depending on their role/job duties).

SciShield is a hosted web-based solution and is operating system-independent for end users. It has been tested extensively on both Windows and Macintosh based web browsers. The current and two previous major releases of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer/Edge and Safari are supported on a rolling basis.

Yes. There is no mobile version but you would access SciShield from the Clemson university website as you would from your computer and the website is mobile device friendly.

No. The Office of Research Safety has worked with SciShield to upload information into their system. You will simply login with your Clemson University ID and password just as you do for other university systems.

Send a request to the SciShield Manager and include the person’s name, department, supervisor, and email.  They will be issued a temporary userID and login which will be sent to their email.

Getting started is simple. Follow steps outlined in the SciShield FAQ & Education pages.

If you have any questions please email questions to the SciShield Manager.