LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING SERIES A unique series of training courses that address the everyday safety issues specific to laboratory environments. The program contains a powerful combination of audio, full-motion video, text and colourful graphics, providing the most cost-effective laboratory safety training available today. The courses are divided into a number of logical sections, each with its own quiz, so information is easily understood. The interactive formats allow trainers to collect employee performance information which can be organized through a powerful relational database and provides recordkeeping and tracking report capabilities. The DVD programs contain a Presenter’s Guide, Employee Quizzes, Scheduling and Attendance Forms, and Training Certificates.

FORMATS

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS IN THE LABORATORY The energy possessed by a compressed gas cylinder can make it a virtual “missile” if it is not handled with the utmost care. And a leaking cylinder or fitting can lead to asphyxiation, a fire or even an explosion. Since compressed gas cylinders are frequently used in many laboratories, employees need to be familiar with the precautions that should be taken when dealing with them. The Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders in the Laboratory program examines how gas cylinders work, the hazards that are associated with them and the need for caution when using or storing a cylinder.

Topics Covered:

The four major ways to compress gases Hazards associated with compressed gases Proper storage procedures Marking and labeling cylinders Handling cylinders safely Connections and fittings Leak detection and more

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Compression and Its Effects Cylinder Storage Handling and Installation Regulators and Relief Devices Dealing with Leak Emergencies ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY The Electrical Safety in the Laboratory program emphasizes the need for safety when using electricity, and discusses how to reduce the potential for accidents involving electrical shock, fire and explosions.

Topics Covered:

How electricity works Common electrical hazards Fuses, circuit breakers and grounding Using and maintaining electrical equipment Accidents and emergency procedures

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

How Electricity Works Grounding Safe Work Practices Electrical Equipment and Flammables Dealing with Electrical Emergencies FLAMMABLES AND EXPLOSIVES IN THE LABORATORY The Flammables and Explosives in the Laboratory program discusses the nature of flammable and explosive materials, as well as hazards associated with their use. They also review the proper handling procedures and personal protective equipment that should be used when working with these substances.

Topics Covered:

Definitions of flammables and explosives Conditions that can create hazards The role of ventilation in preventing problems Transporting flammables and explosives Storage considerations Using compressed gases Emergency planning Disposal

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Flammables Gas Cylinders and Explosives Ventilation and Storage Safe Work Practices and Waste Disposal Cleaning Up Spills and Evacuation GHS SAFETY DATA SHEETS IN THE LABORATORY The GHS Safety Date Sheets in the Laboratory training program is designed to assist facilities in complying with the employee training requirements of OSHA’s newly adopted GHS regulations. The program reviews the composition of GHS Safety Data Sheets, information contained in each section and how SDS’s are different from Material Safety Data Sheets.

Topics Covered:

Material Safety Data Sheets and GHS SDS’s Materials and their hazards Hazardous materials emergencies Handling hazardous materials

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Material Safety Data Sheets and GHS SDS Materials and Their Hazards Hazardous Materials Emergencies Handling Hazardous Materials Other Important Information LABORATORY ERGONOMICS Many of the activities performed in a laboratory can exert stress and strain on muscles and joints, ultimately causing significant injuries. To work safely and maintain good ergonomic health, employees need to know how to avoid movements and work patterns that can be harmful. The Laboratory Ergonomics program discusses the need to set up work areas correctly, as well as how to minimize the strain of using laboratory equipment, tools and instruments.

Topics Covered:

Parts of the body most susceptible to ergonomic problems Arranging work areas to minimize stress and strain Working from “neutral” positions Most and least stressful types of body movements Proper lifting techniques Effective stretching exercises

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Customizing Your Work Area Maintaining Neutral Positions Protecting Yourself from Ergonomic Injury Avoiding Eyestrain Avoiding Back and Neck Strain Proper Lifting Techniques LABORATORY HOODS Many of the materials used in laboratories give off fumes, mists, vapours, particulates or aerosols which are hazardous. To minimize exposure to these materials, special precautions need to be taken. This often means within a “hood”. The Laboratory Hoods program emphasizes how to properly use laboratory hoods and how to test them to ensure correct functioning as well as discuss how hoods can protect an experiment, the facility, and most importantly, the employee.

Topics Covered:

Why laboratory hoods are needed Protections afforded by hoods Various types of hoods found in laboratories How hoods function mechanically Proper use of laboratory hoods Testing and maintenance

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Chemical Exhaust Hoods Testing Laboratory Hoods Using Laboratory Hoods Specialized Laboratory Hoods Preparing for Emergencies ORIENTATION TO LABORATORY SAFETY The Orientation to Laboratory Safety program shows both new employees and seasoned veterans the importance of safety in the laboratory, reviews OSHA regulations, and good safety practices that apply to laboratory environments.

Topics Covered:

OSHA regulations Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) Planning safe experiments Personal protective equipment Ventilation controls Chemical storage Accidents and emergencies Waste disposal

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Personal Protective Equipment Safety Procedures Lab Hoods Chemical Storage and Labeling Cleanup, Disposal and Emergency Procedures OSHA FORMALDEHYDE STANDARD The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard program provides training that is required by this standard, focusing on the rules and procedures that the standard establishes for working with this potentially dangerous chemical.

Topics Covered:

Potential health hazards Testing for Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) Labelling and safety data sheets Hoods and other ventilation systems Personal protective equipment Spill and cleanup and decontamination procedures First aid The Medical Surveillance Plan

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Formaldehyde and Your Health Monitoring for the Presence of Formaldehyde Formaldehyde Labeling Personal Protective Equipment Cleaning Up Formaldehyde Spills First Aid PLANNING FOR LABORATORY EMERGENCIES A caustic acid hose has just erupted. An experiment has shown unexpected reactions. What should employees do to deal with these and other emergencies? Employees need to know when and how they should act in an emergency situation. The Planning for Laboratory Emergencies program discusses how to minimize damage and prevent injuries if a laboratory emergency should occur.

Topics Covered:

The emergency plan Types of emergencies Alarms and warning systems Contacting outside agencies Evacuation Fires, explosions and chemical spills

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Your Laboratory's Emergency Plan Handling Fire Emergencies Handling Chemical Spills Utilizing Safety Showers PREVENTING CONTAMINATION IN THE LABORATORY Handling hazardous chemicals and specimens requires a great deal of caution. If substances are not properly controlled, hazards can spread and contaminate other materials, work areas and even employees themselves. With many laboratories using toxic, corrosive and carcinogenic chemicals, employees need to do all they can to prevent contamination. The Preventing Contamination in the Laboratory program emphasizes the need to recognize situations that could lead to contamination, and discusses what can be done to prevent contamination from occurring.

Topics Covered:

How contamination occurs General preventative measures Engineering controls Safe work practices Personal protective equipment

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Protective Equipment and Engineering Controls Safe Work Practices Taking Precautions Against Contamination Protecting Materials and Equipment Safe Handling of Laboratory Glassware Broken glassware causes more laboratory accidents than any other hazard. Glassware is fragile and can easily fracture if it is bumped, dropped or too much pressure is applied to it. Some glassware accidents don’t require much more than a band-aid, while others can result in a lot of blood and the need for medical attention. Also, the threat of contamination from the materials in a broken container can also pose as a serious problem. The Safe Handling of Laboratory Glassware discusses the nature of various types of glassware, problems it can cause, as well as the need for employees to use and maintain laboratory glassware safely.

Topics Covered:

Inspecting glassware before use Effects of extreme temperatures and pressures Matching glassware to the experiment Working with glass tubing Using personal protective equipment Storage and handling Washing and cleanup

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

General Safety Practices Handling Glassware Cutting and Bending Glass Tubing Glassware and Vacuum Operations Preventing Glassware-Related Accidents Cleaning Up Glassware-Related Accidents SAFETY SHOWERS AND EYE WASHES IN THE LABORATORY The Safety Showers and Eye Washes in the Laboratory program reviews the correct ways to use this equipment, and emphasizes the need for quick action after a chemical splash or spill in a laboratory. The Safe Handling of Laboratory Glassware discusses the nature of various types of glassware, problems it can cause, as well as the need for employees to use and maintain laboratory glassware safely.

Topics Covered:

Getting to eye washes and safety showers in an emergency Operating showers and eye washes Exposure to corrosive substances Testing eye wash and shower equipment Using showers and eye washes properly

Micro-Learning Curriculum:

Uses and Characteristics of Showers and Eye Washes Accessing and Maintaining Showers and Eye Washes Using Safety Showers Using Eye Washes