Original: August, 2007. Revised: Dec. 19, 2007
UBC DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Guidelines for Workplace-Specific Safety Training
Introduction
This material provides an explanation of training requirements and a template for
supervisors of new students and employees in research labs. Legislation enacted as of July, 2007
requires that all personnel be adequately trained prior to commencing work. Training and
orientation are provided at two levels: (1) departmental/university, and; (2) by the supervisor. At
departmental level the necessary safety training and orientation is outlined and documented in
the MTRL Student and Employee Safety Training Checklist, available on the MTRL website,
safety page. The document: Introduction to the MTRL Safety Program should be read over. It
can be found on the MTRL website, safety page.
Training to be provided by the supervisor covers the specific hazards associated with the
individual labs or areas. This needs to be documented. A checklist can be developed to ensure
the necessary topics are covered. Written information can be assembled for the student/staff to
read. This document contains the following information and templates, which may be adapted
for use in the laboratory.
1. Risk Management Workplace Safety Orientation:
http://www.riskmanagement.ubc.ca/sites/riskmanagement.ubc.ca/files/uploads/Documents/Work
place_Safety_Orientation.pdf
This is an information and checklist document for providing safety training.
Note: Some of what is covered in this is already covered in the Departmental Safety Orientation
Seminar and the MTRL Student and Employee Safety Training Checklist, especially:
Introduction to the Department's Health and Safety Program (p. 5)
Personal safety checklist (pp. 8-9)
2. Example Laboratory Safety Orientation Checklist
This may be useful as a template for safety training in labs. It can be modified as
required. It follows on the next page.
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Original: August, 2007. Revised: Dec. 19, 2007
Updated
Mon/Day/Year
Training provide by:
Signature
Name of
student/employee
Date:
Student/Staff
UBC policy 7 reviewed
Provide Safety Orientation checklist
Provide General Lab Guidelines
Outline lab training requirements
Review the lab working alone policy
Explain right/duty to refuse unsafe work
Review the safety inspection checklist
Inform of need for:
Lab Chemical Safety course
Dept. safety seminar
Tour around lab(s)
Equipment
Persons responsible for the lab(s)
Type of work being done
Use of fumnehoods
Review the hazards in the lab
Review the four hazard minimization methods
Introduce to other group members
Location of first aid kit
Procedure for obtaining first aid
Reporting accidents/incidents
The eyewash station
The safety shower
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Safety glasses requirement
Other PPE required
No food in lab
Keep work areas tidy
Keep floors, aisles, window sills clear
Location of chemicals/materials, including
Inventories:
Chemicals
Other materials (if distinct, e.g. minerals)
Location of equipment (shelves, benches)
Accessing
Stores
Machine shop help
Electronics shop help
Surface analysis
Transporting acids, solvents in large glass bottles (carriers)
Ordering items through stores
Sample labeling instructions
Waste handling:
Organic solvent waste
Labeling
Storage
Disposal to sinks
Treatment prior to disposal to sinks
Commercial disposal
Sharps
Clean, broken glass
Clean, unbroken glass
Dirty, broken glass
Plastic sample bottles
Good chemical/materials handling practice:
WHMIS
Consult MSDS
Acidic, basic chemicals
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Corrosive, oxidizing, reactive, flammable, toxic, carcinogenic chemicals
Use the right gloves
Dust masks
When to use fumehoods
Small spills
Avoiding contamination
What to put in flammables cabinet (flashpoint <37.8°C)
Difference between flammable and combustible (>37.8°C flashpoint)
What to put in corrosives cabinet
Non-explosion proof fridge use
Training will be required for using pressurized gas cylinders
Handling spills:
The spill cart
Getting help
Courtesy: Replenish supplies:
Operating equipment:
Where training will be required
Cautions
Maintaining
Inspecting
Warning signage for experiments
Locking up the lab
3. Instructing personnel in new tasks
Adequate training must be provided for someone taking on a new task that is outside their
current expertise. (For example, when someone needs to conduct new procedures with hazards
they have not been previously trained to deal with.) This may take the following forms:





Risk Management safety courses
Documented safe work procedures (repetitive procedures without complex or variable
hazards)
Documented safe work protocols (for work that may have a variety of possible hazardous
situations)
Personal training form the supervisor or a designated person
External training such as courses offered by a supplier or manufacturer
A key facet of this training is that it must be documented. When a WorkSafeBC inspection is
conducted this documentation may be requested. Failure to document the training provided may
be taken as a violation of regulations and can result in sanctions. Documentation includes:
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
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A description of the training required for various activities
Training subject matter
Records that the training was provided
The records of training provided can be a training record sheet that is dated and initialed by the
worker/student and the training provider. The supervisor or his/her designated training provider
may do this. One form may be used and updated as required. All training documentation and
records done under the auspices of the supervisor must be kept by the supervisor and must be
readily accessible.
Records of training required at the departmental level are maintained by department.
Suitable in-house training depends on the complexity and hazards associated with
particular activities. This may include:



Verbal descriptions
Written instructions
Physical demonstrations
In a research laboratory it may be difficult to cover all the bases. However, efforts must
be made to ensure that adequate training is provided and documented. An example of a
Laboratory Safety Orientation Checklist was provided above. This may be able to cover several
of the bases. Each supervisor will need to set up their own system.
3. UBC Policy 7
This is reproduced in the Personal Safety Orientation Worksheet that all new personnel are
required to complete. Part of the requisite safety training is to review policy 7 with the
student/staff.
4. Right and responsibility to refuse unsafe work – the process
Under WorksafeBC regulations an employee has the right and duty to refuse unsafe
work. The associated process is explained here. The following material is derived from the UBC
Risk Management safety committee training manual.
“No member of the faculty, staff or student should be doing any activity if they believe
that the activity would create an undue hazard to themselves or to others. Occupational Health
and Safety Regulation (Section 3.12) of British Columbia (WCB) addresses this issue with
regulations. Further, WCB legislation requires that all employees must be trained and be aware
of all hazards to which they are likely to be exposed. Workers have a “Right to Know” the
hazards of their work.”
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1. When someone has reasonable grounds for believing that an activity they are about to do
carries a risk of death, serious injury or serious illness towards any person, including themselves,
they have the right and responsibility to report the circumstances to their supervisor (principle
investigator).
2. The supervisor will investigate and (a) ensure that any unsafe condition is remedied without
delay, or (b) if in his/her opinion the report is invalid, inform the one who made the report.
(Discussion with the safety committee may be helpful.)
3. The supervisor may not assign the work to another person without informing them that the
work has been refuse, the reason for refusal and their right to refuse the work.
4. When step 2. does not resolve the matter, the supervisor shall investigate it in the presence of
the complainant and also: (a) a co-worker representative from the safety committee, or (b) a
member of the union representing the worker, or if (a) and (b) are not available, (c) any
reasonably available worker selected by the complainant.
5. If the matter is not resolved both the supervisor and complainant must notify a WorksafeBC
officer who shall investigate without undue delay and issue necessary orders. Risk Management
is also to be informed at this point.
6. The refusing worker may not be subjected to disciplinary action as he/she acted in compliance
with 3.12 regulation.
7. A temporary assignment to alternative work (at no loss of pay) can be made. This shall not
constitute disciplinary action.
5. Safety Rules
(a) Lab/area specific safety rules
Supervisors may have specific safety rules for their areas. These need to be posted and
may be provided in written form. The supervisor is responsible to ensure that the safety rules are
communicated and that they are followed.
(b) Department safety rules
These safety rules are general to students/staff working in the department. All personnel
should become familiar with these basic safety rules.
For individuals
These apply to all labs (research and undergraduate), shops areas and all areas of the stores.
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(a) Suitable eye protection must be worn at all times, in laboratories and other indicated
hazardous areas, by all personnel and visitors. (Suitable eye protection depends on the area
and activities. Supervisors are to determine the minimum requirements.)
(b) Lab coats have to be worn by in all laboratories where chemical hazards exist. Lab coats are
required for all undergraduate labs.
(c) No bare legs are permitted in any laboratory (research or undergraduate) or any shops area
or in any area of stores.
(d) No open-toed footwear is permitted in any laboratory (research or undergraduate) or any
shops area or in any area of stores. Footwear must cover the whole foot.
(e) Long hair must be tied back on any person when present in any laboratory (research or
undergraduate), shops area and stores.
(f) Eating and storage of food or drink items is not permitted in any laboratory (research or
undergraduate), the shops or any area of stores.
(g) “Horesplay”, practical jokes, unnecessary running, threats, assaults and fighting are
prohibited.
(h) All employees and students are required to maintain clean and tidy work areas and keep
aisles and exits clear of clutter.
(i) Emergency equipment must be readily accessible at all times. Examples include:
eyewashes, safety showers, electrical panels, fire extinguishers, fire alarms etc.
(j) In some areas steel-toed footwear may be required if deemed necessary by the supervisor or
the department.
(k) Defective equipment and facilities must be repaired prior to use or measures must be put in
place to prevent use by others until repaired.
(l) Dangerous goods (as defined by the transport of dangerous goods regulations) may not be
shipped from, or received into the department except by trained and qualified personnel. (The
stores keeper has TDG certification.)
(m) All personnel must receive adequate safety training prior to commencing any work.
(n) Building entrance doors may not be left propped open. This may pose a security risk to
other occupants.
(o) No earphones may be used in lab or shops areas.
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(p) Working alone outside of normal weekday hours in a lab or shops area may be done only as
per the supervisor's working alone policy.
For supervisors
Supervisor's responsibilities are set out in UBC policies and in law. A summary is
provided here.
(a) Supervisors must ensure that adequate training is provided for all potentially hazardous
activities conducted in their areas prior to work being commenced. This includes sending
personnel to university or departmentally required safety courses, reviewing written
procedures and demonstration of methods and procedures as required.
(b) Supervisors are responsible to develop written safe work procedures for repetitive tasks with
an associated hazard. These must be posted in the area associated with the equipment or
materials involved. Supervisors must ensure that all personnel performing these tasks read
and follow these instructions.
(c) Where deemed necessary supervisors are responsible to develop written safe work protocols
(guiding principles) for complex and varied tasks with a variety of associated possible
hazards. Supervisors must ensure that all personnel performing these tasks read and follow
the guidelines and instructions. (A generic statement describing the nature of the hazards
associated with the work in a particular research lab, principles of how to control and
minimize hazards and responses to emergencies may suffice where deemed adequate.)
(d) The supervisor must perform monthly safety inspections of his/her area using monthly
inspection form. This is available on the MTRL website safety page:
http://www.mtrl.ubc.ca/safety/Supervisor%27s_monthly_lab_inspection_form.doc
The form may be modified as necessary. The supervisor may designate someone in the lab to
perform the inspection. The supervisor then must ensure that the designated inspector is
suitable for this duty. The supervisor must ensure that safety violations are corrected
promptly. The completed safety inspection forms need to be posted in the area.
(e) Supervisors shall ensure that all hazardous materials in their areas are appropriately labeled.
This includes the name of the person responsible for the sample or material, the composition
of the material (written in words, no chemical formulas alone), concentrations and principal
hazards. If the sample is to be sent out for analysis or testing the added phrase, "Hazardous
Laboratory Sample" is required for WHMIS-controlled materials. A labeling guide is
available:
http://www.mtrl.ubc.ca/safety/labels.xls
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(g) Emergency procedures, access to MSDS information and location of the spill cart must be
posted in every laboratory (research and undergraduate).
(h) Supervisors must maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory of all chemicals in each
laboratory or area. It must be updated at least once per year. The inventory must be posted in
the lab or area.
(i) Supervisors need to review training requirements of their personnel at least annually. (As
per WorksafeBC regulations, training for new tasks and activities must be provided prior
their commencement.)
6. Hazards and rules associated with working alone
Working alone in a hazardous environment (laboratory or shop) may be necessary, but
there are associated WorkSafeBC requirements. In our department we have opted to do the
following: hazard assessments for each lab are done by the supervisor. The supervisor
determines what activities may not be done while working alone. Certainly this should include
work with materials and processes that have a significant potential to be life threatening if
something goes wrong. The policy is posted in the lab.
If potentially hazardous work is to be done by someone working alone, and if the
consequences of an accident are likely to be serious, a formal contact procedure is required.
Regulations and procedures around working alone are available in a Risk Management
publication:
http://www.riskmanagement.ubc.ca/sites/riskmanagement.ubc.ca/files/uploads/Documents/Work
ing%20Alone%20Guidance%20Document%20Nov%202011.pdf
To summarize, the following steps would be required.

A written and implemented procedure for maintaining contact with the isolated person,
including time interval. This is supposed to be done in consultation with the Safety
Committee.

A procedure for response if contact is not made.
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Documentation of contact including names, places and times.
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A final contact check when the person leaves work.
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Training must be provided specifically for procedures related to working alone. The person
with whom contact is made (outside the lab) must be trained in what to do if contact cannot
be made. The procedure must be documented.
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
Issues related to personal security must be included in the training. UBC resources for
persons on campus outside of normal working hours need to be presented, such as evening
Safewalk services, shuttle buses to remote parking areas and blue light phones. See Campus
Security website at:
http://www.security.ubc.ca/
The simplest way to deal with working alone is requiring the presence of another student
or worker as well. Contact may be set up with other persons also working in the department at
the same time. This would need to be documented.
7. First aid/medical treatment: reporting injuries/illness
First aid kits are kept in all laboratories and shops areas. The supervisor must ensure that
they are adequately stocked. The semi-annual safety inspections check for this as well. A
treatment record form must be kept with the kit and completed by anyone who uses it. Failure
to do so is a violation of WorksafeBC regulations. Compensation claims stemming form an
unrecorded accident may be denied.
There are first aid attendants in the building. These people may be accessed in the event
of an accident. UBC also provides a first aid 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. This may be accessed
by phoning (604) 822-4444. If first aid personnel in the department are not available, then this
service should be tried first. In the event of a serious emergency requiring paramedics, 911
should be called. If in doubt, 911 should be called. If 911 is called, UBC first aid should be
called immediately afterwards; they may well be able to arrive first and provide help. Someone
must go to the main entrance to meet emergency personnel.
All lost time accidents involving employees must be reported to WorksafeBC and Risk
Management within 24 hours. If a worker or student seeks medical treatment of any sort for
injury or illness stemming form an activity at UBC, then we need to notify either WorksafeBC
(for staff) or Risk Management (for students) within the 24 hour period. Failure to report may
result in a large fine to the department. This is levied by WorksafeBC. Students and workers
must be instructed about this requirement. Medical personnel will report all such occurrences to
WorksafeBC, so it cannot be avoided.
All the following types of accidents must be reported by law:
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Lost time accidents
Accidents resulting in damage to property
Large chemical spills (large is defined by whether the spill is large enough to be reportable.
See the UBC Chemical Safety Manual.)
Fires
Explosions
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An accident investigation report form is available at the main office. The Safety Committee and
possibly the supervisor will be called upon to conduct the investigation. The procedure is
available in part on the form. Contact someone from the safety committee for assistance. The
Safety Committee will review all accidents and make suitable recommendations to the
department Head as well.
Incidents are events that have the potential for serious consequences, but which for one
reason or another do not result in such consequences. An example is a failure in a pressurized gas
regulator that resulted in gas escaping, but not injuries or damage. Incident reporting and
investigation forms are available from the main office as well. Instructions on completing it are
on the form.
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