Safety Training

STUDENT & FACULTY LAB SAFETY TRAINING

Before you start your research work in the Science Center, everyone must register and attend one of the general lab safety training sessions offered by the Lab Safety & Compliance Director, Dr. Margaret Rakas:

Wednesday May 25, 9:00-11:00 AM, Ford 240
Monday June 6, 10:00-noon, Ford 240
Wednesday July 6, 10:00-noon, McConnell 103

Fill out this SURF 22 Google form to register for one of the general lab safety sessions                                                
 

Note: Before the training session, you are allowed to work on project components that do not involve chemicals, biologicals or instrumentation of any kind. 

Faculty: What you need to know about your responsibilities

Principal Investigators and Laboratory Supervisors are legally responsible for

  • the safety of anyone working in their laboratory spaces.
  • the safety of their own students working anywhere else…unless responsibility has been formally transferred to another faculty/staff member

Specifically, this means ensuring all employees, visitors, and students under supervision

  • Complete the required safety training mandated by the college
  • Be provided with documented training specific to their laboratory space
  • Follow the appropriate guidelines when dealing with hazardous materials and processes

Safety training requirements:

  • You must attend a general lab safety training session at the beginning of your employment. Consult this page or contact M. Rakas for the session schedule.
  • You must develop a laboratory safety training protocol for the users of your space.
  • If you work with radioactive materials, Class 3B or 4 lasers, recombinant DNA, blood-borne or other hazardous pathogens you must learn about administrative procedures and attend a specific subject safety training session before starting the work. Contact M.Rakas to schedule.

Students: What you need to know about your responsibilities

Research & other types of students are also personally responsible for their, and their fellow lab mates, safety. This means you must

  • Complete the required safety training provided by your supervisor & others.
  • Read and acknowledge provided training documentation
  • Follow the appropriate guidelines when dealing with hazardous materials and processes

Research Safety training requirements:

  • You must attend a general lab safety training session before you start lab work. Attendance at least once during your time at Smith is the minimum requirement. Sessions will be led by the Lab Safety and Compliance Director, Dr. M. Rakas and announced throughout the academic year and SURF period.
  • You must attend a specific room lab safety training session before you use the space conducted by your supervisor.
  • If instructed by your supervisor because your research involves radioactive materials, lasers, recombinant DNA, blood-borne or other hazardous pathogens,  you must also attend a specific subject safety training session before starting work. 

Notes:

  • Course-based research students do not have to attend the general lab safety session.
  • SURF students are required to attend an in-depth general lab safety training each summer they have a SURF (or other) award 
  • All Chemistry Teaching/Prep assistants must attend a general lab safety training session every semester they are employed and before they can start working.