Laboratory Training Requirements

The University requires safety training for laboratory employees to insure that they are adequately informed about physical and health hazards present within the laboratory and methods for minimizing the risks of exposure. “Laboratory employees” include faculty, staff, and employed students who work in a laboratory setting. For this document the term “laboratory employees” applies as well to graduate and post-doctoral fellows and visiting scientists who work in laboratories. Required training is determined by job duties of the laboratory employee and the specific hazards within the lab.

Your Training History

You can verify what classes you have taken through TXClass (EID required) and choose “Training History.”

Required Training for all Laboratory Employees

• OH101 Hazard Communication (General) — Required for all lab employees working with or around hazardous chemicals.
• OH102 Hazard Communication (Site-Specific) — Taught by the laboratory's Principal Investigator or Lab Supervisor. The training must be documented using the standardized Lab Site-Specific HazCom training record with checklist covering training topics that is available from EHS. Required for all lab employees working with or around hazardous chemicals.
• OH201 Laboratory Safety — Required for all lab employees working with hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
• OH202 Hazardous Waste Management — Required for all employees, including faculty, staff, and students who work in a laboratory using hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
• OH 238 Laboratory Safety Refresher — Required initially for all lab employees working with hazardous chemicals or biological materials and every 3 years thereafter.

• FF205 Fire Extinguisher Use — Required for all lab employees. See Fire Prevention Services for more information.

Additional Courses

To assist lab departments with maintaining training requirements, the university offers these additional courses:

• OH 204 Compressed Gases — Compressed gas cylinders can be extremely hazardous when misused or abused. Compressed gas cylinders present a variety of hazards due to their pressure and/or content. This training provides information on how to safely handle and use compressed gases. This course is required for anyone who works with these cylinders.

• OH207 Biological Safety — Required for all lab employees working with biological hazards, e.g., infectious agents and recombinant DNA.

• OH218 Bloodborne Pathogens — Required annually for all employees working in labs with human blood or tissues.

• OH238 Laboratory Safety Refresher - Required three years after the completion of OH201 Laboratory Safety and every three years thereafter.

• OH301 Basic Radiological Health — Required for all users of radioactive materials.

• OH601 Dry Ice Shipping — Required for all workers involved in dry ice shipments.

• OH304 Laser Safety — Required for all users of Class 3B and 4 lasers.

• OH306 X-ray Safety - Required for all users of radiation (x-ray) producing machines.

• CW512 NIH guidelines - Required for all workers in labs with recombinant DNA.

• RR100 Responsible Conduct of Research - Required of all researchers supported on certain NIH grants.  This link has information on this course and and other RCR training.

• For training on the shipping of hazardous material other than dry ice, contact EH&S.

Responsibilities of PI/Lab Supervisors

PIs/lab supervisors are required to insure all their employees receive proper training, and to provide Site-Specific Hazard Communication training to “laboratory employees” and students in individual instruction courses. PIs/lab supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all training is properly documented and that individuals working in their labs do not engage in activities for which they have not been trained.

EHS Course Schedules and Enrollment

Schedules for courses provided by EHS are available through TXClass (EID required). Lab employees can enroll in courses online. Individuals without access to the Internet can call EHS at 512-471-3511 for course enrollment information.

For More Information

Laboratory Safety Manual, UT Hazard Communication Program (PDF), or call EHS at 512-471-3511.