Research Safety Training
Research Safety partners with researchers across campus to promote safe work practices in laboratory research that is in accordance with applicable regulations. Safety is an essential component of responsible, reproducible science. Training courses, both online and/or in-person are available.
Practical sessions
All practical sessions are located at the permanent Safety & Risk Services training lab in Koerner Pavilion, UBC Hospital Room G326. There are practical sessions scheduled every week for biosafety and chemical safety training, and monthly for radiation and X-ray safety training. These trainings are usually scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance. During the busy months of May, September and October, the sessions fill quickly, and once full, the session is no longer visible for registration. Check back regularly through the course site if you are having difficulty finding a session to catch cancellations.
Location: Room G326, Koerner Pavilion UBC Hospital
- Building is secure, access is only through UBC Hospital at the Main Wesbrook entrance and you will be asked to show identification. Once inside the hospital, G326 is one level down.
- Please leave time to find the location and arrive on time. Map link for directions.
- If you cannot attend a booked session, please cancel as soon as you can so that others are able to register. If you repeatedly fail to show for sessions without cancelling your registration in advance, you may be blocked from further registration until the reason for your repeated absence is accepted by the course instructors.
When attending the session, you must
- Arrive on time! Latecomers will not be allowed to join.
- Leave behind all superfluous items as space is limited.
Bring your own
- Lab coat (mandatory for biosafety and chemical safety training): spares are available, but if you choose to use a spare you may be wearing one that other people have also worn, so it is recommended that you bring your own.
- Safety glasses (mandatory for biosafety and chemical safety training): spares are available, but if you choose to use a spare you may be wearing one that other people have also worn, so it is recommended that you bring your own.
- Pen for writing the final quiz and/or written assignment (mandatory).
- Lab appropriate clothing (mandatory): long loose-fitting pants and fully covering liquid-resistant shoes.
Biosafety training
Mandatory for all persons working with Risk Group 1-3 biohazards
Biosafety courses
Mandatory for all persons working with Risk Group 1-3 biohazards
The UBC Biosafety Program offers training to meet the requirements of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Our permission for UBC researchers to have, handle and research bio-hazardous material is dependent on meeting these requirements. The training is mandatory for all faculty, staff, visiting scientists and students prior to applying for or on having access to areas where work is being done under a UBC Biosafety Permit. Proof of Training is a combination of the certificate received upon the successful completion of the Biosafety Course and documentation of training in lab-specific procedures. UBC Biosafety training certificates are valid for 5 years.
Research Safety partners with researchers across campus to promote safe work practices in laboratory research that is in accordance with applicable regulations. Safety is an essential component of responsible, reproducible science. Training courses, both online and/or in-person are available.
| If you are.. | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Faculty who is applying for a Biosafety Permit | Biosafety for Permit Holders UBC Principal Investigators only 2 x 20-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
| Faculty who is applying to renew a Biosafety Permit | Biosafety Refresher for Permit Holders UBC Principal Investigators Only 2 x 20-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
| Staff, visiting researcher or student working under a Biosafety Permit who has not taken the course before and with access to or handling of risk group 1-3 biological materials | Biosafety for Study Team Members Part 1: 9 x 15-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz Part 2: A 3-hour in-person session with a written exam |
| Staff, visiting researcher or student working under a Biosafety Permit who has a valid certificate (less than 5 years old) that is nearing expiration | Biosafety Refresher for Study Team Members 4 x 15-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
| Faculty, staff, student, or visiting researcher shipping biological substances who has never taken TDG training, or whose certificate is nearing expiration | Transportation of Dangerous Goods Class 6.2 – Infectious Substances 4-hour session |
Chemical safety training
Mandatory for all laboratory persons handling hazardous chemicals.
Chemical safety courses
Mandatory training for all laboratory persons handling hazardous chemicals
The UBC Chemical Safety Program offers training to meet the requirements of the Transport Canada, WHMIS and WorkSafeBC. Our permission for UBC researchers to receive, handle and research with chemical hazards is dependent on meeting these requirements. The training is mandatory for all faculty, staff, visiting scientists and students prior to applying for or on having access to areas where chemical hazards are being handled or stored. Proof of Training is a combination of the certificate received upon the successful completion of the Chemical Safety Course and documentation of training in lab-specific procedures. UBC Chemical Safety training certificates are valid for 5 years. Research Safety partners with researchers across campus to promote safe work practices in laboratory research that is in accordance with applicable regulations. Safety is an essential component of responsible, reproducible science. Training courses, both online and/or in-person are available.
| If you are.. | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Faculty, staff, visiting researcher or student working independently where chemical are used, and who has not taken the course before | Chemical Safety Course Part 1: 6 x 15-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz and a final exam after all modules Part 2: A 2.5-hour in-person session with a written exam |
| Faculty, staff, visiting researcher or student working independently where chemical are used, and who has a valid certificate (less than 5 years old) that is nearing expiration | Chemical Safety Refresher Course 6 x 15-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz and a final exam after all modules |
| An undergraduate student volunteering or undertaking a project under the constant and direct supervision of a senior lab member and who will never be working independently in the lab | Introduction to Laboratory Safety 8 x 15-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
| Faculty, staff, visiting researcher or student shipping or receiving hazardous chemicals, fuels, lithium ion batteries, or compressed gasses (dangerous goods other than Classes 1, 6.2 or 7) | Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Ground and Air 9 x 15-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
LASER safety 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.
LASER safety courses
| If you are.. | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| A faculty member, staff member, visiting researcher or student working with Class 3B or 4 LASERs | Introduction to LASER Safety 5 x 20-minute modules each followed by a quiz |
Radiation and X-ray safety training
The training is mandatory for all faculty, staff, visiting scientists and students prior to applying for or on having access to work is being done under a UBC Radioisotope Permit.
Radiation and X-ray safety courses
The UBC Radiation Program, including our training courses, is a large part of our legal agreement with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission that allows our researchers to use radioactivity. The training is designed to meet the requirements of the CNSC. Our licenses for UBC researchers to have, handle and use radioactive materials are dependent on meeting these requirements. Proof of Training is a combination of the certificate received upon the successful completion of the Radiation Safety Course and documentation of training in lab-specific procedures. UBC Radiation Safety training certificates are valid for 3 years and include TDG Class 7 procedures for receipt of radioactive materials..
| If you are.. | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Faculty, Staff, a visiting researcher or student working under a radiation permit or holding a radiation permit who has not taken the course before | General Radiation Safety for Authorized Users Part 1: 8 x 20-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz Part 2: A written assignment Part 3: A 2.5 hour in-person session |
| Staff, visiting researcher or student working under a radiation permit whose certificate expires soon. Prerequisite for the refresher course is a “General Radiation Safety for Authorized Users” course or equivalent UBC course completed within the last 3 years | General Radiation Safety Refresher for Authorized Users Part 1: Prerequisite – “General Radiation Safety for Authorized Users” course or equivalent UBC course must be completed within the last 3 years Part 2: 8 x 20-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
| Faculty holding a radiation permit whose certificate expires soon. Prerequisite for the refresher course is a “General Radiation Safety for Authorized Users” course or equivalent UBC course completed within the last 3 years | Radiation Safety Refresher for Permit Holders Part 1: Prerequisite – “General Radiation Safety for Authorized Users” course or equivalent UBC course must be completed within the last 3 years Part 2: 1 x 45-minute online module followed by a quiz |
| Faculty, Staff, a visiting researcher or student working with sealed source radiation and/or devices only | Radiation Safety for Sealed Source Authorized Users Part 1: 4 x 20 minute online modules, each followed by a quiz Part 2: A written assignment |
| Faculty, Staff, a visiting researcher or student working with sealed source radiation and/or devices only and whose certificate expires soon. Prerequisite for the refresher course is a “Radiation Safety for Sealed Source Authorized Users” course or equivalent UBC course must be completed within the last 3 years | Radiation Safety Refresher for Sealed Source Authorized Users Part 1: Prerequisite – “Radiation Safety for Sealed Source Authorized Users” course or equivalent UBC course must be completed within the last 3 years Part 2: 4 x 20-minute online modules, each followed by a quiz |
| Faculty, staff, visiting researcher or student shipping radioactive materials or taking radiation devices to sites | Transport of Dangerous Goods Class 7 Offered online through BCIT |
Transportation of dangerous goods Training
Mandatory for those shipping and/or receiving biological or radioactive materials.
Transportation of dangerous goods training courses
| If you import, handle, ship or receive Dangerous Goods including…. | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Biological substances, including clinical samples, animal tissues, cell lines, viruses, prions or bacterial strains | TDG Class 6.2 In-person training UBC $155 Non-UBC $262.50 |
| Nuclear substances or radiation devices | TDG Class 7: Shipping & receiving (offered online through BCIT) Note: see BCIT course page for costs |
| Hazardous chemicals, fuels, dry ice, lithium-ion batteries, or compressed gases | UBC Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Ground and Air |
WHMIS training
Mandatory for all workers who work with a hazardous product or may be exposed to a hazardous product in the course of their work activities.
WHMIS courses
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. To find the right WHMIS course for you please see the chart below.
| If you are.. | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Work with a hazardous product or may be exposed to a hazardous product in the course of your work activities | General Audience WHMIS 1 online module and quiz |
| Work in or supervise a laboratory | Chemical Safety Training which includes WHMIS training for laboratory workers 7 modules and final exam |
| Are part of building operations, custodial services or student housing and hospitality services | In person education – ask your supervisor 1 in-person presentation and quiz |
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