The European Tritium Handling Experimental Laboratory is committed to investigate the propagation modes of tritium in materials, components, equipment and process loops. As for other radiochemical facilities, a number of safety criteria and principles have been introduced into the design, construction and intended operation of the facility with the aim of optimising the protection of both the workers and the population. This paper highlights a variety of safety aspects applied to the laboratory: confinement barriers, radiological protection, waste handling and, finally, precautions against internal and external events.