Biosafety Training

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Laboratory Biosafety Training

Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring that each person under their direction is trained, understands the specific hazards associated with their work, and knows how to protect themselves from such hazards. All lab personnel must complete and sign with their PI a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement on Biosafety . Also, we offer Laboratory Biosafety training for all staff and students working with biological agents and materials in University laboratories.

The Laboratory Biosafety Course is conducted over two half-days and is offered monthly. Material covered includes the classification of infectious agents by Risk Group, risk assessments and requirements for Containment Level 1, 2, and 3 laboratories, proper use of biosafety cabinets and autoclaves, biosecurity, and emergency response.

Co-requisite: WHMIS training offered by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety is a co-requisite for the Laboratory Biosafety course. You must complete either the in-class WHMIS course (normally offered in the summer), or the online version. In either case, you must complete the online WHMIS quiz. If you have received WHMIS training elsewhere, you must still complete the online WHMIS quiz to satisfy this co-requisite. You do not need to provide proof of completion of the online quiz to the Biosafety course instructor.

Online WHMIS

Please see the WHMIS FAQ for any other questions regarding WHMIS training. Also, see the Laboratory Chemical Safety course.

Session Dates: The next sessions of the Laboratory Biosafety course are:

April 25 & 27, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm (St. George)
May 23 & 25, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm (St. George)
May 29 & 31, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (UTSC)
June 19 & 21, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm (St. George)
July 19 & 20, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm (St. George)
August 21 & 23, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm (St. George)

Click here to register.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training

Objective: To ensure that participants are fully aware of how to properly package, ship, receive and store dangerous goods for transport.

Target Audience: All faculty, staff and students of the University of Toronto who may be required to transport dangerous goods (or offer for transport) and those who respond to emergencies involving dangerous goods.

Duration: Course will be offered online for a limited time through a third party.

Description: This course provides an overview of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods legislation. Topics to be covered include:

Classification of Hazards
Safety Marks and Labels
Documentation Requirements
Packaging Requirements
Placarding and Emergency Response

To register for the course, fill out the online registration form and then click the Submit button.

Blood-borne Pathogens Training

This half-day course reviews blood-borne pathogens and exposure control principles, practices, and requirements as mandated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other regulations and guidelines. The course covers immunization, post-exposure prophylaxis and other emergency response measures and reporting requirements.

All personnel need to attend this course and pass the test prior to starting work or study with:

Blood-borne pathogens such as prions, hepatitis B or C virus, and HIV virus.
Human blood products, such as whole blood, plasma, serum, platelets, and white cells; or other human body fluids such as semen, cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal secretions, joint fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, or amniotic fluid.
Human tissue, organs, or primary cell cultures.
Animals, or animal blood or body fluids or unfixed tissues, infected with blood-borne pathogens, OR performing tasks where such animals are housed.

Prerequisite: The Laboratory Biosafety course is a prerequisite for the Blood-borne Pathogens course.

Session Dates: The next session of the Blood-borne Pathogens course is:

June 5, 2012, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm (St. George Campus)

Click here to register.