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SAFETY TRAINING
Proper safety training is important for both employees of the University and for any individuals who work in laboratory spaces. This page reviews safety training information for both office workers and laboratory workers.
If any research involves the work of volunteers, they must also be appropriately trained in addition to filling out a volunteer form. Supervisors should keep volunteer forms on file for two years and send copies to megan_wong@sfu.ca
According to WorkSafeBC and SFU’s Health and Safety Policy (GP 17), all SFU employees must be appropriately trained for their position. This includes Research Assistants (RAs), Teaching Assistant (TAs), and Sessional Instructors. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that their workers are trained. Mandatory safety training is to be done on paid time and is comprised of two components:
- EHS Safety Courses
- Job-Specific Safety Training
Component 1: EHS Safety Training
All employees, must take or have valid training for the following EHS safety courses:
- SFU Safety Orientation (valid for 3 years) OR EHS Safety Essentials* (valid for 3 years)
- Respectful Working and Learning Environments (complete once)
Registration for these courses can be found on the EHS Training website. Non-SFU personnel may also take these courses but must contact megan_wong@sfu.ca for access.
Depending on the position and work location, SFU employees may also be required to take additional training through EHS. Some common examples of positions that require additional training are listed below:
- The employee will supervise individuals. This requires supervisor safety training.
- The employee will conduct lab work (excluding work completed in a computer lab). Please see the laboratory safety training below.
- The employee's work location is in a laboratory. Please see the laboratory safety below.
*EHS Safety Essentials is a longer course required for laboratry workers. One of the included modules is the SFU Safety Orientation. Accordingly, anyone with a valid training certifice for Safety Essentials does not need to complete the standalone SFU Safety Orientation Course.
Component 2: Job-Specific Safety Training
All employees, must complete a Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist. Positions that are exclusively office work (remote or in-person) or computer lab related can follow the information below. Laboratory workers should review the laboratory worker training section. The Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist must be completed after the appropriate EHS courses have been completed.
Office and/or computer lab workers can now complete the Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist through canvas. Registration for the FENV Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist course can be found here. Non-SFU workers should email megan_wong@sfu.ca for access. The Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist does not need to be re-done unless there are new hazards, or a worker returns to work after a long period of time.
Finalizing Office Worker Safety Training
To complete safety training, proof of safety training completion must be emailed to Megan Wong. Please email the EHS and FENV safety course certificates and/or completion surveys to megan_wong@sfu.ca upon completion. For assistance with generating safety course certificates and/or completion surveys, please review the Proof of Safety Training Guide.
All individuals who work in a lab, regardless of if they work with chemicals/cryogens/gases, must take the appropriate safety training. This includes paid and unpaid students, visiting researchers, and volunteers. The only exception is for undergraduate students in lab-based classes. These students are not required to take this training as they should be under constant supervision by the instructor and/or TA who is appropriately trained. If you work in a computer lab, please follow the training requirements outlined under Office Worker Safety training.
It is the lab supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that all laboratory personnel complete the required Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) courses and are trained in lab specific equipment and protocols. Course registration can be found on the EHS website. If non-SFU personnel need access to safety courses please contact megan_wong@sfu.ca.
All individuals working in FENV laboratories should follow the training below with the exception of individuals working in Archaeology Laboratories. Individuals working in labs housed in Archaeology should follow their department specific protocols.
Similar to the office worker training, safety training for individuals working in labs is comprised of two components:
- EHS Safety Courses
- Job-Specific Safety Training
Component 1: EHS Safety Training
All individuals working in a laboratory must complete EHS Safety Essentials canvas course. Due to the hazardous nature of laboratories, EHS Safety Essentials is required even if the individual working in the lab is not conducting lab work (e.g. working on a laptop in the lab).
If an individual works with chemicals/cryogens/gases, then they must also take EHS Laboratory Safety canvas course which includes a hands-on safety practical. The hands-on practical is offered multiple times throughout each semester.
If there are additional hazards in the lab such as biohazards, lasers, and x-rays, further training is required. Please review the list of EHS training courses and reach out to megan_wong@sfu.ca if you are unsure if additional training is needed.
If an individual will be supervising lab workers, they must complete the supervisor safety training.
To register for these safety courses, please visit the EHS safety training webpage. If you are unsure which courses you are required to complete, please email megan_wong@sfu.ca.
Paid lab workers must also complete the Respectful Working and Learning Environments canvas course.
Most EHS canvas courses are valid for three years and they must be retaken when they expire to continue conducting lab work.
Component 2: Job-Specific Safety Training
All lab workers must complete the Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist for Laboratory Workers. This checklist must be reviewed in-person, in the lab where workers will conduct research.
While this checklist can be reviewed with the Lab PI or a designate, the PI must be the individual to sign the checklist. Since the PI is responsible for the safety of everyone in their laboratory, it is important that they review and sign the checklist to ensure that all lab workers have been instructed on pertinent SOP’s, laboratory equipment, and PPE requirements. If you would like help with this checklist, please contact megan_wong@sfu.ca.
The Job-Specfic Safety Orientation Checklist for Labaratory Workers does not expire; however, this checklist should be updated when new protocols and/or equipment are used by lab workers. If a lab worker begins work in a new lab, a new checklist must be reviewed and signed with the Lab PI.
Finalizing Lab Safety Training
To complete lab safety training, proof of safety training completion must be emailed to megan_wong@sfu.ca. Please email safety course certificates and/or completion surveys as well as your signed Job-Specific Safety Orientation Checklist for Laboratory Workers upon completion. Lab PIs must also retain copies of safety training records for their lab workers. For assistance with generating safety course certificates and/or completion surveys, please review the Proof of Safety Training Guide.