Training
Laboratory personnel should receive training appropriate to the hazards associated with their assigned work before beginning activities that present significant hazards. Training shall address hazard recognition, required controls, safe work practices, emergency procedures, and PPE.
Laboratory-specific hazard assessments shall be conducted when required and whenever significant changes occur in equipment, materials, processes, or laboratory activities.
Additional requirements may apply based on the specific hazard or activity. Laboratory personnel shall consult the applicable University safety program, SOP, or EHS guidance before performing specialized or higher-risk work.
Training and Information Program
The University maintains a laboratory safety training program to ensure that faculty, staff, students, researchers, volunteers, and other authorized individuals who work in or support laboratory activities understand the hazards associated with their work and the procedures and controls necessary to work safely.
Training shall be appropriate to the individual’s responsibilities, laboratory activities, and identified hazards and shall comply with applicable regulatory and University requirements.
Training Requirements
Individuals working in laboratories where hazards are present shall complete required training before beginning work involving those hazards.
Training requirements may apply to:
- Faculty and instructional staff
- Research staff, laboratory technicians, and employees
- Graduate and undergraduate students
- Postdoctoral researchers and visiting scholars
- Volunteers and visiting researchers working under University oversight
Additional training shall be provided when:
- New hazards, chemicals, equipment, or processes are introduced.
- Laboratory procedures or responsibilities change.
- An incident, near miss, or deficiency indicates a need for additional training.
- Required competency has not been demonstrated.
- EHS, the PI, laboratory supervisor, or Department Chairperson determines retraining is necessary.
Refresher training shall be completed as required by the LSP, applicable regulations, University policy, or EHS.
Training Delivery
Training may be provided through EHS instruction, online modules, laboratory-specific instruction, hands-on demonstrations, supervised training, or other appropriate methods.
Training shall address, as applicable:
- Laboratory hazards and required control measures
- The LSP and applicable University safety programs
- Safe work practices and SOPs
- Engineering controls and PPE
- Chemical handling, storage, and waste requirements
- Emergency procedures, including spills, releases, fires, injuries, and evacuation
- Proper use of laboratory safety and emergency equipment
Laboratory Safety Training
EHS shall provide or coordinate training addressing the requirements of the LSP, laboratory hazards, safe work practices, required controls, emergency procedures, and applicable University safety programs.
All new and returning laboratory personnel and students shall complete the applicable University-approved laboratory safety training or safety video at the beginning of each academic term, as required by EHS.
Students shall complete the applicable Laboratory Code of Conduct before participating in laboratory activities. Research students shall complete the Research Laboratory Code of Conduct before participating in research activities.
Laboratory-Specific and Task-Specific Training
Faculty, PIs, laboratory supervisors, or other qualified individuals shall provide training specific to the hazards, equipment, procedures, and activities associated with each laboratory or work assignment.
Laboratory-specific training shall include instruction on applicable SOPs, engineering controls, PPE, emergency procedures, and specialized or high-hazard activities.
Personnel shall not independently perform tasks requiring specialized knowledge or skills until appropriate training and competency have been demonstrated.
Competency and Retraining
Training shall include demonstrations or observed proficiency when appropriate to the activity or hazard. Faculty/PIs and laboratory supervisors are responsible for verifying that personnel are adequately trained and competent to perform assigned laboratory activities.
Retraining shall be provided when competency is not demonstrated, unsafe practices are observed, procedures or equipment change, new hazards are introduced or following an incident or near miss.
Training Records
Required training shall be documented and maintained in accordance with University recordkeeping requirements and applicable regulations. Records shall include, as appropriate, the individual’s name, training topic, date of completion, and method of training.
Training records shall be retained for at least five years, unless a longer retention period is required by applicable regulations or University policy.
Program Review
EHS shall periodically review the laboratory safety training program and update training requirements as necessary to reflect regulatory changes, institutional experience, incident trends, and recognized laboratory safety practices.