Laboratory Safety Training
See required safety training for UC San Diego laboratories.
Determine Your Laboratory Classification
Before taking any training, determine your Research Facility Classification e.g., wet labs, technical shops, clinical research areas, etc.
Individual principal investigators and supervisors must identify job-specific hazards and make sure their employees attend safety training appropriate for their work. Keep all training records for a minimum of 3 years.
Principal Investigators
New PI Orientation
Required for new or visiting PIs before they may operate any lab facility, or direct or supervise any employees within any lab facility.
- Contact the Research Assistance Program to schedule a New PI Orientation: ehsrap@ucsd.edu, (858) 822-6886
Supervisor Safety
While not required, this 40-minute eCourse thoroughly details the PI's liabilities and responsibilities as an employee supervisor.
- Complete Supervisor Safety on UC Learning Center.
ALL laboratory workers are required to complete the 2 web-based courses below to meet UC San Diego's basic lab safety training requirement.
UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals
Required before beginning work in a UC San Diego laboratory facility, with refresher training required every 3 years. This eCourse introduces staff to fundamentals of laboratory and chemical safety, general safety, and their rights and responsibilities.
- Complete UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals on UC Learning Center.
- Complete Laboratory Safety Refresher every 3 years thereafter.
Annual Laboratory Hazards Training
If you work in your own research lab:
- Required before beginning work in a laboratory facility.
- Annual Refresher training required thereafter.
IF you do not work in your own research lab:
- Required before beginning work in a laboratory facility
- Refresher training required every 3 years
Complete Annual Laboratory Hazards Training on UC learning center.
Use-Specific Training
Additional safety training requirements apply for work with regulated and high-hazard materials, human subjects, and research animals.
- Biosafety: Aerosol Transmissible Disease Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Biosafety: Bloodborne Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Annual Bloodborne Pathogen Refresher Training
- Biosafety: Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acids
- Controlled Substances
- Human Research Protections Program Training
- Laser Safety
- Orientation to Animal Research
- Radiation: Safety Seminar with refresher training required annually
- Annual Radiation Safety Refresher Training
Area Safety Coordinators
New Laboratory Worker Checklist
Every UC San Diego researcher must complete a New Laboratory Worker Checklist detailing specific safety training required for your laboratory assignment.
- Complete the New Laboratory Worker Checklist (PDF)
UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals
Required before beginning work in a UC San Diego laboratory facility, with refresher training required every 3 years. This eCourse introduces staff to fundamentals of laboratory and chemical safety, general safety, and their rights and responsibilities.
- Complete UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals on UC Learning Center.
- Complete Laboratory Safety Refresher every 3 years thereafter.
Completion of this course meets the federal Hazard Communication Standard requirement training on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) label elements and new Safety Data Sheets format.
Annual Laboratory Hazards Training
Required before beginning work in a UC San Diego laboratory facility, with refresher training required annually. This eCourse covers hazardous materials handling, waste disposal, and emergency response.
- Complete Annual Laboratory Hazards Training on UC Learning Center.
Area Safety Coordinator Orientation
Recommended for those who oversee safety and compliance in a UC San Diego research facility. This one-on-one training is presented upon request.
- Contact the Research Assistance Program to schedule ASC Orientation: ehsrap@ucsd.edu, (858) 822-6886
Laboratory Hazard Assessment & Lab Specific PPE Training
Each laboratory is required to complete a hazard assessment of research activities to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. Each new lab member must be trained on the details of this hazard assessment.
- Have your PI send you a copy of the completed Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) on My Research Safety.
- Review the assessment linked in the email you receive. Then click the links to certify you received Hazard Assessment training.
Laboratory Ergonomics
Recommended for researchers whose work involves prolonged periods of pipetting, microscopy work, dissection, or other repetitive procedures. Instructor-led training is available upon request.
- See Ergonomic Training Resources.
- Read Ergonomic Awareness: Risk Factors for more information and self-help options.
Use-Specific Training
Additional safety training requirements apply for work with regulated and high-hazard materials, human subjects, and research animals.
- Biosafety: Aerosol Transmissible Disease Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Biosafety: Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Annual Refresher
- Biosafety: Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acids
- Controlled Substances
- Fire Extinguisher Training
- Formaldehyde Safety Training
- Human Research Protections Program Training
- Laser Safety
- Orientation to Animal Research
- Radiation: Safety Seminar with refresher training required annually
- Annual Radiation Safety Refresher Training
Laboratory personnel
New Laboratory Worker Checklist
Every UC San Diego researcher must complete a New Laboratory Worker Checklist detailing specific safety training required for your laboratory assignment.
- Complete the New Laboratory Worker Checklist (PDF)
UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals
Required before beginning work in a UC San Diego laboratory facility, with refresher training required every 3 years. This eCourse introduces staff to fundamentals of laboratory and chemical safety, general safety, and their rights and responsibilities.
- Complete UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals on UC Learning Center.
- Complete Laboratory Safety Refresher every 3 years thereafter.
Completion of this course meets the federal Hazard Communication Standard requirement training on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) label elements and new Safety Data Sheets format.
Annual Laboratory Hazards Training
Required before beginning work in a UC San Diego laboratory facility, with refresher training required annually. This eCourse covers hazardous materials handling, waste disposal, and emergency response.
- Complete Annual Laboratory Hazards Training on UC Learning Center.
Laboratory Hazard Assessment & Lab Specific PPE Training
Each laboratory is required to complete a hazard assessment of research activities to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. Each new lab member must be trained on the details of this hazard assessment.
- Have your PI send you a copy of the completed Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) on My Research Safety.
- Review the assessment linked in the email you receive. Then click the links to certify you received Hazard Assessment training.
Laboratory Ergonomics
Recommended for researchers whose work involves prolonged periods of pipetting, microscopy work, dissection, or other repetitive procedures. Instructor-led training is available upon request.
- See Ergonomic Training Resources.
- Read Ergonomic Awareness: Risk Factors for more information and self-help options.
Use-Specific Training
Additional safety training requirements apply for work with regulated and high-hazard materials, human subjects, and research animals.
- Biosafety: Aerosol Transmissible Disease Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Biosafety: Bloodborne Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Annual Bloodborne Pathogen Refresher Training
- Biosafety: Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acids
- Controlled Substances
- Human Research Protections Program Training
- Laser Safety
- Orientation to Animal Research
- Radiation: Safety Seminar with refresher training required annually
- Annual Radiation Safety Refresher Training
Non-UC San Diego students and staff
Volunteers, visiting scholars, and any other affiliate without an affiliate UC San Diego business systems account (Single Sign-On) must complete steps 1 and 2 below in order to meet the training requirements.
1. Register for an affiliate UC San Diego business systems account:
- To register, contact your Department Security Administrator (DSA).
- Use DSA Search to lookup your DSA by UC San Diego email address (use the address of a current lab member).
- Please note that this process typically takes up to 48 hours to become visible in the system
2. Ask your Lab Safety Contact to add you to the Lab Roster, LHAT, and if applicable HCP’s, BUA, LUA, RUA.
- Provide your affiliate UC San Diego business systems account username (typically starts with AFF)
- Email ehsrap@ucsd.edu for any issues or questions with this process
When you have your affiliate UC San Diego business systems account and have been added to the EH&S database, you are ready to take the laboratory safety training below.
New Laboratory Worker Checklist
Every UC San Diego researcher must complete a New Laboratory Worker Checklist detailing specific safety training required for your laboratory assignment.
- Complete the New Laboratory Worker Checklist (PDF)
UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals
Required before beginning work in a laboratory facility, with refresher training required every 3 years. This eCourse introduces staff to fundamentals of laboratory and chemical safety, general safety, and their rights and responsibilities.
- Complete UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals on UC Learning Center.
- Complete Laboratory Safety Refresher every 3 years thereafter
Completion of this course meets the federal Hazard Communication Standard requirement training on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) label elements and new Safety Data Sheets format.
Annual Laboratory Hazards Training
Required before beginning work in a UC San Diego laboratory facility, with refresher training required annually. This
- Complete Annual Laboratory Hazards Training on UC Learning Center.
Laboratory Hazard Assessment & Lab Specific PPE Training
Each laboratory is required to complete a hazard assessment of research activities to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. Each new lab member must be trained on the details of this hazard assessment.
- Have your PI send you a copy of the completed Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) on My Research Safety.
- Review the assessment linked in the email you receive. Then click the links to certify you received Hazard Assessment training.
Laboratory Ergonomics
Recommended for researchers whose work involves prolonged periods of pipetting, microscopy work, dissection, or other repetitive procedures. Instructor-led training is available upon request.
- See Ergonomic Training Resources.
- Read Ergonomic Awareness: Risk Factors for more information and self-help options.
Use-Specific Training
Additional safety training requirements apply for work with regulated and high-hazard materials, human subjects, and research animals.
- Biosafety: Aerosol Transmissible Disease Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Biosafety: Bloodborne Pathogens with refresher training required annually
- Annual Bloodborne Pathogen Refresher Training
- Biosafety: Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acids
- Controlled Substances
- Formaldehyde Safety Training
- Human Research Protections Program Training
- Laser Safety
- Orientation to Animal Research
- Radiation: Safety Seminar with refresher training required annually
- Annual Radiation Safety Refresher Training
Technical Research Areas
- Technical research areas may require the Annual Shop Studio Environmental Compliance Hazards Training. See Technical Research Safety Training for more details.
Videos
Videos are a valuable supplement, but are not intended to replace formal instruction or a safety training program.
Training Certifications (Opt-Out)
Anyone that completes a course will be assigned a refresher training and receive email notifications for the following courses:
- Aerosol Transmissible Disease Pathogens – yearly
- Annual Laboratory Hazards – yearly
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training – yearly
- Controlled Substances – every four year
- Dual Use Research of Concern – yearly
- Radiation Safety Seminar – yearly
- UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals – every three years
If you are no longer working in a setting requiring these courses, you may have the assigned training removed from your UC Learning Center profile. Follow these steps to opt out:
