Several topics should be included in the training of laboratory workers. The following list is a starting point; it is not inclusive and may or may not apply to your specific work area. 

• Emergency response procedures appropriate to individual laboratories
• Building-specific safety features
• UVM Laboratory Safety Trainings
• Review of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (PDF)
• Review of Safety Data Sheets including recognition of signs and symptoms associated with exposure.
• Methods of detecting the presence of hazardous chemicals (observation, signage and labelling, odor, real-time monitoring, air sampling, etc.)
• Best practices designed to reduce personal exposure and to control physical hazards
• Mechanisms and warning systems associated with specific lab equipment

Supervisors must also ensure that lab personnel are informed about and have access to the following informational resources:

• Safety data sheets (SDS) for laboratory chemicals and biological agents. These are available from the chemical manufacturer or supplier, though internet sources, such as Wikipedia and Technical Data Sheets for specific chemicals, can also provide more detailed information. SDSs must be available to employees at all times and can be kept in a digital file on a lab computer or in printed form in a Lab Safety Notebook. The UVM Chemical Hygiene Plan and lab-specific standard operating procedures.
• An introduction to the UVM Environmental Management Plan and Lab Waste Management procedures.
• The contents of the OSHA lab standard, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, and its appendices (29 CFR 1910.1450).

Lab-specific trainings should be completed for hazardous materials used in the lab, specific procedures/protocols (SOPs, IBC protocols, IACUC protocols, etc.), and safe operation of lab equipment. These lab-specific trainings should include the following:

• Training outline/description of the contents of the training;
• Date the training was completed;
• The trainer (person delivering the training); and
• Training attendees.

The outline/description of the contents of the training should be detailed enough to explain exactly what was covered by the training. 

One example of lab-specific training is the initial training or orientation to the lab, which should be completed before work begins. The following information should be covered during the basic orientation to the lab:

• Information about all hazards in the lab, including risks of exposure and signs/symptoms of overexposure;
• How to reduce the risk of exposure to lab-specific and procedure-specific hazards;
• Where to find information on hazardous materials e.g. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), Chemical Use Planning Forms (CUPFs), or written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Safe use of laboratory equipment or apparatus; and
• Demonstration and teaching of specific laboratory procedures.

Keep these documents in the Lab Safety Notebook so they may be reviewed during a lab audit or after an unexpected event has occurred in the lab (e.g. injury or near-miss).

• Download the excel training tool for labs (XLS)

Basic Laboratory Safety Training:

Lab Workers must complete these basic laboratory safety trainings: 4 online and 2 classroom. Online course should be done prior to working with hazardous materials. Classroom courses should be completed as soon as possible and prior to working with hazardous materials without direct supervision. If lab specific training is used instead of these courses, follow the directions for documenting lab-specific training.

As of 1/1/2020, undergraduate students and visiting workers are no longer required to complete the two classroom trainings (Keeping Your Lab Safe and Emergency Response for Laboratory Workers), provided they are actively supervised while working in the lab. "Actively supervised" is defined as follows: A lab supervisor or lab safety officer, who has completed all required safety trainings, is present AND in the lab where the student is working, and understands the work that the student is conducting.

*A lab supervisor may continue to require these two classroom safety trainings at their discretion. All lab workers must still be oriented to the lab, including emergency procedures. The lab orientation must be documented.*

Undergraduate teaching assistants (TAs) are still required to complete all six basic lab safety trainings, as well as any other specific trainings that apply to the lab/activities. TAs are considered to be in a supervisory role, ensuring the safety of a group of students. 

Annual Training:

Lab personnel are required to take the annual training each year. These courses inform you of changes in regulations and policies as well as highlight incidents and issues relevant to lab work at UVM. EHS personnel may provide this training to groups or departments in person in place of this on-line option.

Basic Biosafety Training:

Please note that some of the biosafety trainings have been replaced with CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) modules. Instructions for signing into CITI can be found here.

• Check the CITI training records

Every UVM lab worker handling biological agents is required to complete the first three trainings in this orange section. Note: it is not necessary to complete both BSL-1 and BSL-2 CITI courses. Complete the CITI course that applies to your lab.

Anyone at risk for being in contact with blood, tissues, primary cell lines or other potentially infectious material must complete the CITI OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Supervisors and/or Lab Safety Officers are responsible for checking safety transcripts to ensure that required lab safety trainings have been completed by all lab personnel. Supervisors should also document any lab-specific training delivered in the lab safety notebook. Details about how to document lab-specific training can be found on the Lab Safety Notebook page.

Online or classroom safety training is recorded by EHS staff into a central UVM database. Individual safety training records can be viewed and/or printed on the Laboratory Safety Training transcripts page. Enter a UVM NetID or a guest name to view or download individual lab safety training records.

Records for online trainings completed through the CITI program can be viewed on the CITI Course Completion page. Records of Animal Research Trainings can be viewed on the CITI Lab Animal Research Training page.

All new employees are required to attend a full day of Orientation upon starting work at UVM.  New Employee Orientation sessions take place on the first and third Monday of every month. 

New lab employees may be required to attend additional specialized training depending on the position for which they were hired and the hazards present in their lab. 

• New Lab Employee Safety Training Checklist (PDF)
• Train and Inform Lab Personnel

• Online training login (with NetID)
• Online training login (as Guest)
• Classroom training sign up
• View your safety training transcript
• Login to SciShield to view training
• CITI training login ("Log In Through My Institution")
• View CITI training certification (Drop down list)
• View CITI animal training certification (Drop down list)
• Return to Safety in Laboratories

Laboratory workers who handle or purchase radiation sources must undergo a formal certification exam administered by the Radiation Safety Office.

Radiation Safety Office has a variety of ways that you can prepare for the certification exam.

• Getting Certified to use Radiation
• Prepare for the Certification Exam
• Read the RSO handbook (PDF), and the following standard operating procedures
  • Contamination Surveys
  • Radioactive Waste Disposal
• View Radiation safety information (PDF), on policies and procedures
• Further educational resources

If you have further questions or things are still unclear you may speak to the RSO personnel prior to taking the exam.

Faculty who need to procure radiation sources for research and/or teaching purposes must be formally approved by the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC).

• Find out how to get Certified to use Radiation

Radiation Safety Training

• Radiation Safety Handbook (PDF)
• Radionuclide Standard Operating Procedures
• Radiation Safety Certification Exam Study Material
• Custodial Safety Manual (PDF)

Environmental Health and Safety staff participate in monthly Custodial In-Service trainings to review hazard identification, chemical safety, personal protective equipment, fire safety, and ergonomics.  Custodians should refer to their supervisors for the next In-Service training date or contact the Custodial Training and Development Coordinator at 802-656-7233.

Employees who are required to wear respirators at work must receive annual training in the proper use, storage, and maintenance procedures of their respirator.  Training may be conducted online or in person depending on the type, make, or model of the respirator.  

• Respiratory Protection Program and Personal Protective Equipment
• UVM Respiratory Protection Program (PDF)

Employees who are authorized to wear a disposable N95 respirator on a voluntary basis have reduced requirements.  This also is explained in the respiratory protection program.