Research Safety Resources & Documents

The research safety program is essential in keeping our campus labs safe and secure for all who use them. Find resources and documents that apply to all research areas, along with specialized resources for Biosafety, Chemical, LASER and Radiation Safety.

I’m setting up a new lab. What do I need to do?

How do I get clearance for Facilities to move my lab equipment, fix something in my lab or have renovations done?

Facilities staff are not permitted to move equipment or work on lab space that has not been labelled as free from contamination. Equipment should be surface decontaminated and labelled with a lab equipment clearance form prior to move or repair.

Where repairs or renovations will be done in the lab, as much as possible, space around the work area should be cleared of hazardous substances, sensitive equipment and ongoing experimental materials. Where this is not possible, these items should be labelled with the name and contact information of a knowledgeable person. Post a completed Laboratory Clearance Form at the worksite.

I’m shutting down, retiring or otherwise leaving a lab space for good. What do I need to do?

Before a lab closes, all rooms must be cleared of hazardous substances, lab instrumentation equipment and experimental materials. A guidance document and checklist for this process has been created to ensure all aspects of research termination are considered and addressed. Post a completed, signed checklist on the door.

Biosafety resources

Biosafety manuals and reference materials

Biosafety animal-related guidelines

Biosafety animal-related Safe Work Procedures

Biosafety animal-related Standard Operating Procedures

Biosafety risk assessments and notices

Chemical safety resources

Chemical safety forms and checklists

Risk Assessment for Chemical Hazards

Risk assessment is a term used to describe the overall process or method where you:

  • Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm (hazard identification).
  • Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard (risk analysis, and risk evaluation).
  • Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control).

When should a Risk Assessment for Chemical Hazards be done?

There may be several reasons a risk assessment for chemical hazards is needed, including:

  • Before a new research project involving hazardous chemicals is introduced.
  • Whenever you have safety concerns regarding the use of a hazardous chemical.
  • When required as part of a permit application.

I need to do a risk assessment. Where do I start?

UBC Safety & Risk Services (SRS) developed a Risk Assessment Guide (PDF) that explains the steps involved in writing a risk assessment.

  • Read the guide and complete tables 1 and 2 with the data specific to your chemical hazards/processes.
  • Submit the completed tables to SRS for review.
  • An SRS advisor will analyze the data, complete the additional sections and generate a final risk assessment document.

UBC WHMIS Program

What do I need to know in order to work safely with hazardous materials?

The purpose of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) program is to inform employees about hazardous products used in the workplace through a combination of warning labels, hazard symbols, safety data sheets and training. All elements of the WHMIS Program are explained in the first document below. The label templates (small, medium and large size) are provided as tools that can be used when generating workplace labels. Before using the templates, read section 6 of the WHMIS Program Document.

LASER safety resources