New Lab Personnel

Getting Started

This section will provide the Lab Safety Coordinator with tools and information to help on-board and train new laboratory personnel.

Administrative Items

These items can be done on the “first day” in the lab.

• Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) Forms Have your new personnel fill out the appropriate ROHP forms to enroll in Medical Surveillance (make sure you work with ROHP and EHS in advance to know which forms and medical clearance type are needed)
• SciShield:  Add the new member to your laboratory’s SciShield profile.  Be sure to assign them the appropriate job activities in BioRAFT based on their duties.  These job activities will dictate what trainings this member will be required to take.
• RIMS Registration Go to the RIMS homepage to create a profile for new personnel and to add to your Lab Roster. 
• Research Compliance Website Orient new personnel to the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) website (and bookmark it!).  Familiarize your new personnel with this site and help them register for any required ORC trainings.
• Add to Lab Protocols and Permits as applicable
  • IBC
  • IACUC
  • Radiation
  • Controlled Substances
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan

Lab-Specific Training

Discuss both applicable scientific and safety-related topics that are university-wide and those that are specific to your lab, your building, and your research.

Part 1: Laboratory Safety Center –

• Identify locations (online and in laboratory) and discuss contents of Lab Safety Center.
• The documents tab on your laboratory BioRAFT profile is your online resource for BU policies and documents such as the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Biosafety Manual, Exposure Control Plan, etc.  Personnel should review these documents and be able to retrieve them if needed.
• Familiarize personnel with location of  Safety Data Sheets (SDS).  Please note SDS’s are available online via SciShield using the SDS search option.

Part 2: Lab-Specific Processes, Hazards, and Equipment Orientation

• Lab personnel should be able to understand the importance of the HAZCOM Door signage and hazards indicated.
• Location and use of Life Safety devices (eye wash, shower, fire extinguisher, flip chart, Spill Containment kit, etc)
• Locations and use of specific personal protective equipment (PPE) (ensure consultation with ROHP and EHS)
• Locations and use of Chemical Storage Areas (flammable/corrosive/toxic/gas cabinets)
• Locations and use of engineering controls such as chemical fume hoods and biosafety cabinets
• Procedures for hazardous waste management, including Satellite Accumulation Area and associated supplies.
• Laboratory Egress Routes and rally points
• Designated areas for high hazard procedures such as chemicals, radiation, biological, or laser use
• Specialty equipment, such as alarms for hazardous gas detection
• Lab-specific laboratory techniques, practices, procedures provided by Principal Investigator or designee, and as required by approved protocols, along with how proficiencies will be determined
• Introduce any lab specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Emergency contact information for laboratory emergencies

Also see the Lab Resources section of the toolkit, which provides material for more lab-specific training ideas.