Zoology Lab (for room) and Field Safety Training Information

Zoology Lab (for room) and Field Safety Training form (Oct 2021)

Before access to labs
Introduction to Laboratory Safety
*Cannot be working with RG2 biological materials or dangerously reactive chemicals, otherwise must take the full biosafety and chemical safety courses.**If undergraduate or volunteer has only this training, they must be under the constant and direct supervision of a senior lab member, and never be working in the lab independently.
 

The following Safety courses are valid for 5 years:
Biosafety for Study Team Members–  To facilitate and ensure the safe and knowledgeable use of biological materials in research, teaching and the environment.  Mandatory training prior to having access to areas where work is being done under a UBC Biosafety Permit. Successful completion of the online course, in-person practical session, and exam are required for certification. Refresher course can be taken if you have previously taken this course at UBC (current or expired).
Chemical Safety Course– Required if working with ANY chemical or working in a laboratory.  Successful completion of the online course and practical session are required for certification. Registration for the practical session is only available upon completion of the online component. Includes WHMIS training for Laboratory Workers. If there is 6 months left prior to the UBC certificate expiring the refresher course can be taken. If the certificate has expired, the full course will need to be redone.

WHMIS Training- WHMIS education is required for all workers who work with a hazardous product or may be exposed to a hazardous product in the course of their work activities. This includes faculty, staff, paid students, volunteers, visiting scholars, visiting students and non-paid students (IT, Shop Staff, Administrative staff, volunteers etc). If you have Chemical Safety Training Certificate, this course will not be required.

Radiation and X-Ray Safety Training–A comprehensive course in the safe handling of radioactive sources. Mandatory for all faculty, staff, visiting scientists and students prior to using radioactive materials.

Laser Safety and Training-The training is mandatory for all faculty, staff, visiting scientists and students prior to setting up or using a Class 3B or 4 LASER.
 

The following Environmental Training courses are valid for 3 years:

Environmental Training

  • Environmental Awareness Training-Person responsible for environmental impact of Department
  • Hazardous Waste Management Training-If you generate and dispose of hazardous waste.  Prerequisite training: Chemical Safety Training and/or Biosafety Training
  • Hazardous Waste Manifest Training-Ships hazardous waste-Prerequisite training: Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Ground or Air
  • Autoclave Training- Information on autoclaving Risk Group 1 & 2 contaminated solid waste and safely disposing through Environmental Services Facility (ESF). Prerequisite training: Biosafety Training

Transportation of Dangerous Goods – Any UBC faculty, staff or student who is ordering, shipping or receiving materials classified as ‘Dangerous Goods’ under the Transport of Dangerous Goods. (Ground Shipment Certificate valid for 3 years, Air Shipment Certificate valid for 2 years)

  • Transport of Dangerous Goods by Ground or Air
  • Transport of Dangerous Goods Class 6.2 Infectious Substances* (Fee $155 through UBC)
  • Transport of Dangerous Goods Class 7 Radioactive Substances* (Training offered online through BCIT $119.62 )

Occupational and Preventive Health Consultation–The Occupational & Preventive Health Unit provides services and programs to help UBC employees manage potential risks in the workplace. You need to enroll in the Occupational & Preventive Health program if your work at UBC involves potential risk factors. For example, you must arrange a consultation if your work exposes you to animal species, infectious biological agents, exposure to dirt/soil or rusty metal etc.  Initial in person consultation, followed by an annual survey.

Animal Care Ethics Course-The CCAC (Canadian Council on Animal Care) Experimental Animal User Training Program is an online course for those whose teaching or research involves animals. Access to the online course is free and can be found on the UBC AUCP. Please enroll in the course, or courses, that are for your specific species.

  • Rodents (Rats or Mice), Farm Animals, Fish, Birds, Other Species (ex: amphibians, reptiles, other mammals etc.)* Once the Animal Care Ethics Course has been completed (course and the exam), you can self-enroll in hands on training from UBC Animal Care Services (ACS) for specific rodent species (rat and mice).  These courses consist of an online component and a hands on lab.  There is a fee associated with the ACS training.  Please email train.acs@ubc.ca to enquire about possible training on other species*
*Currently, the certifications do not expire. Ongoing determination of the level of skill will occur through Post-Approval Monitoring Team visits, Clinical Veterinary recommendations, and Animal Care Committee recommendations.

Aquatics Access-Access into INSEAs is available after the student, visitor, postdoc; faculty staff etc. have been trained and approved by Patrick Tamkee. The training involves a 20 minute health-safety and Aquatics orientation, the completion of the required courses above, as well as an amendment to have this individual listed as a Study Team Member in the Principal Investigator’s animal care protocol. Principal Investigators should send a request to Patrick at tamkee@zoology.ubc.ca with the person’s name and email contact.

Who can request access? Only Principal Investigators can request access to their labs into INSEAs after the student/visitor etc. has taken the mandatory courses. P.I.’s should send their request to Edythe with the following information:

  • Room numbers you would like them to have access to
  • End date (by term/ by year)
  • Student name
  • Please request your student, visitor etc.to bring their I.D card to the main office

Field Safety Training

Scientific Diving*-Planning on using SCUBA or snorkeling as part of your research at UBC:
Science Diver Level 1 (maximum depth of 20m), Science Diver Level 2 (maximum depth of 40m), Dive Surface Attendant, Snorkel

Contact the UBC Dive Safety Officer (DSO) for more information:  victoria.burdett-coutts@ubc.ca

First Aid Certification*-Field work will require a minimum level of First Aid depending on the risk type and the number of people present.
Guidance can be found at:

Speak to your PI/Supervisor about getting First Aid Certification. This course has a fee. First Aid Courses are offered through many different providers in Vancouver.

Wilderness Safety Training*-Wilderness/remote first aid training for those planning research.  Not mandatory, but may be helpful to have when your research requires you to be in remote locations where access to first aid care may be limited. There is a fee associated with this course. Speak with your PI for more information.  In the past this course has been arranged by Zoology

Courses of Interest

  • Safety Supervision- Mandatory for UBC Faculty, Staff or Executive who supervises, instructs, directs, and/or controls workers (including students employed by UBC)
  • Shooter Preparedness- An online workshop that provides and overview on how to respond to an active shooter on campus.
  • Ergonomic Training-The Ergonomics Program offers a range of services to promote optimal working postures and practices to reduce musculoskeletal injuries in the work environment.
  • Floor Warden- Faculty or staff who is a floor warden or Building Emergency Director.

*Some of the courses may have a fee associated with them.  Speak to your PI or supervisor about having these fees paid for.