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Environmental Health & Safety Training

Last updated on July 28, 2016 10 min read Research Safety - Environmental Health & Safety Training

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) at Boston University provides extensive training and resources to the Boston University and Boston Medical Center communities. The training programs listed below are designed to promote safe practices while also fulfilling regulatory requirements.


Lab Safety

Lab Safety Training (In-person & Virtual)

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
Laboratory Safety Training for Researchers is now offered two ways—in the classroom or online. Personnel can choose to attend either.

The objective of this training is to provide appropriate persons with the tools and knowledge to work safely in or around a laboratory setting. Information in this module is universal to all labs at BU and BUMC.

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Controlled Substances Basic Training

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.Controlled substance training is meant for those who which to conduct research with controlled substances (CS). This program is subject to extensive Federal and Massachusetts (MA) law. Strict record keeping and security measures are required for all aspects of receipt, use, storage and disposal.

Location: Online
Audience: All individuals who have access/contact with controlled substances as used in animal-based research or “bench” (non-animal) research. Human/clinical research is excluded.
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: Lab Safety Training
How Often: Required annually

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Animal Science Center

Anesthetic Gases Training

Location: Online
Audience: Anybody that uses anesthetic gases in their research
Duration: 30 minutes
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: None
How Often: As necessary (optional course)

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Biosafety

Agent-Specific Trainings

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
The principal investigator is responsible for either conducting or ensuring this training is provided to members of his/her laboratory prior to an individual beginning work with hazardous biological agents. If the PI does not conduct the training, the Research Occupational Health Program may be requested to provide this training.

Topics covered by this training are subject to Institutional Biosafety Committee requirements. Complete initial health clearance forms by ROHP.

Location: Various locations; please contact ROHP for further information.
Audience: Persons working with specific biological agents, as required by the IBC
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Location: Online
Teaching Medium: Online and/or lecture with PowerPoint, individual interaction
Prerequisite: Lab safety training, Bloodborne pathogen safety training, BSL 1 & 2 Safety Training, Chemical Safety Training, and Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval
How Often: Annually

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BSL-3 Online Training

Training applies for BUMC only.
Biosafety Level 3 training is for those personnel working in Biosafety Level 3 laboratories. This training must be completed by all personnel (faculty, staff, animal technicians, students, trainees, visitors) who will work with BSL-3 agents. Topics that will be addressed include operations, required PPE, procedures, emergency management, and other required information.

Location: Online
Audience: Persons working in Biosafety Level-3 laboratories
Duration: 30 minutes
Offered: Upon request of the Institutional Biosafety Committee
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: Lab safety training, Bloodborne pathogen safety training, BSL 1 & 2 Safety Training, Chemical Safety Training, and Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval
How Often: Annually

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NEIDL Orientation

Training applies for BUMC only.
NEIDL General Orientation is required for all unescorted personnel entering the NEIDL. In addition, both CPR and First Aid/AED Certifications are required in order to maintain unescorted access privileges and can be obtained through BU Fitrec. For more information about the NEIDL and its training program, please visit the NEIDL website.

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Recombinant DNA/IBC Policies Training

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
The rDNA/IBC Policies Training is required for all PIs listed on an active IBC protocol and all individuals listed on an active IBC protocol involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids. A score of 100% or higher is required to pass this quiz and to get credit for completing this training. BioRAFT will prompt you to retake the questions with incorrect answers until you reach a score of 100%.

Location: Online
Audience: All researchers who are listed on and IBC protocol as working with rDNA
Duration: 1 hour
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: Laboratory Safety Training for Researchers, Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval
How Often: Annually

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Select Agent Training

Training applies for BUMC only.
Select-agent training is offered to persons working with Biological Select Agents or Toxins, as required by the Boston University Select Agent program. EHS provides Select Agent training upon request that must be completed by all personnel (faculty, staff, animal technicians, students, trainees, visitors) prior to receiving privileges to order, store, or use select agents. The training will cover topics including information on the hazards of specific select agents and the rules and regulations governing the use of these agents.

Location: Online
Audience: Persons working with select agents, as required by the select agent RO
Duration: Various times
Offered: As required by the select agent responsible official
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: Must have authorization to use select agents by the select agent responsible official who will determine training requirements.
How Often: Annually

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Shipping Biologicals Training

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
Shipping biologicals training is offered to persons who will be packaging or shipping biohazardous materials, including human or animal specimens of a research or clinical nature (including Select Agents). This training will cover topics including packaging, labeling, and documenting biohazardous shipments.

If you are planning to ship materials other than biologicals from your laboratory, EHS staff members must ship the materials for you.

Information on how to proceed with shipment of various materials can be accessed here.

Location: Online
Audience: Any person who packages or offers for shipment biohazardous materials
How Often: Every 2 years

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Blood-Borne Pathogens Safety Training

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
The objective of this training is to provide appropriate persons with the tools and knowledge to work safely in or around a laboratory setting. Information in this module is universal to all labs at BU and BUMC.

Location: Online
Audience: BU and BUMC employees who are potentially exposed to blood-borne pathogens any time during their employment.
Duration: 1 hour
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: Lab safety training, BSL 1 & 2 Safety Training, Chemical Safety Training
How Often: Required annually

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Occupational Health & Safety

Asbestos Awareness

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
Asbestos Awareness training is provided to those employees whom during the course of their employment may potentially come in contact with materials that contain asbestos. This training is a general awareness training to inform employees of the health effects associated with asbestos exposures, identification of locations and building materials that may contain asbestos, procedures/controls set in place to protect employees from exposures to asbestos, and who to contact in the event they have questions concerning asbestos.

Location: Online
Audience: BU and BUMC employees
Duration: 2 hours
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Required annually

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Hazard Communication

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) training is provided to inform employees of the hazards that are presented when working with or around hazardous chemicals. This training provides the necessary information to inform employees about the hazards that are presented to them in relation to the chemicals within their site-specific workplace. Information is provided on how to control those hazards by means of administrative controls (e.g., using alternative nontoxic chemicals), engineering controls (e.g., local ventilation), work practice controls (e.g., properly labeling containers), as well as, personal protective equipment that should be worn.

Location: Online
Audience: BU and BUMC employees
Duration: 1 hour
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Required annually

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Hazardous Waste Management Training

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
Hazardous Waste Management is offered to staff, faculty, and students who generate or supervise someone who generates hazardous waste. This training will cover topics including: identifying hazardous chemical waste, how to accumulate hazardous chemical waste, labeling of hazardous chemical waste, segregation of hazardous chemical waste, disposal of hazardous chemical waste, and emergency management.

Location: Online
Audience: BU and BUMC employees
Duration: 1 hour
Teaching Medium: Online
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Required annually

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Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Training

Training applies for both BUMC & CRC.
Oil & Waste Management Training is offered to Facilities Management department personnel. This training covers topics including processes for preventing and responding to oil spills and proper management of regulated wastes common to Facilities Management operations.

Location: Online
Audience: BU and BUMC employees
Duration: 1 hour
How Often: Required annually

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Radiation Safety

Basic Radiation Safety Training

Training applies for both BUMC and CRC.
Basic Radiation safety training and test are required for all users of radioisotopes at Boston University/Boston Medical Center. There are two parts to Basic Radiation Safety Training. Part One consists of the power point presentation and quiz. Once you have completed Part One, the Department of Medical Physics and Radiation Safety (DMPRS) will contact you to schedule Part Two of the training. Part Two will consist of 15-30 minutes practical exercise which will cover Radiation Detection Equipment (i.e. Geiger counter). If you have any additional questions regarding this training please contact the DMPRS: 617-638-7052.
Training is valid for two years.

Location: Part I and quiz: online
Part II at CRC or BUMC, based on participant’s location and preference
Audience: Radioisotope permit holders, radioisotope laboratory supervisors, radioisotope users
Duration: Part I: 30 minutes | Part II: 20 minutes
Offered: Part I: Online | Part II: BioRAFT online registration
Teaching Medium: In-person multimedia presentation
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Once, then take Radiation Safety Training (Refresher) course every other year (biennially).

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Radiation Refresher Training

Training applies for both BUMC and CRC.

Radiation Refresher Training is given biennially (every other year) to personnel who have completed the initial Basic Radiation Safety Training program to stay current with University and regulatory requirements. Topics include proper survey technique, emergency procedures, ordering and waste protocol, and recent changes to the Radiation Protection program.

Location: Online
Audience: Radioisotope permit holders, radioisotope laboratory supervisors, radioisotope users
Duration: 30 minutes
Teaching Medium: Online multimedia presentation
Prerequisite: Basic Radiation Safety Training
How Often: Every other year (biennially)

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Laser Safety Online Training

Training applies for both BUMC and CRC.
Laser Safety Training is a mandatory training for Class 3b and Class 4 laser users. The training reviews general knowledge in lasers, laser safety concepts, and laser safety standards.

Location: Online
Audience: All laser users
Duration: 90 minutes
Teaching Medium: Online multimedia
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Initial; and then every other year (biennially)

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Analytical X-Ray Training

Training applies for both BUMC and CRC.
Analytical X-Ray Safety is a mandatory training for users of analytical X-ray machines that address the safe operation of the equipment and radiation safety topics.

Location: Online
Audience: All users of analytical X-ray units
Duration: 90 minutes
Teaching Medium: Online multimedia presentation
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Once

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BUPD All Hazards Training

Training applies for both BUMC and CRC.
Public Safety Radiation Training is a mandatory training for public safety personnel. This training consists of information regarding Boston University’s radiation license, programs, and use of radiation, along with awareness of postings and labels found in research laboratories and other areas around campus.

Location: Online
Audience: Public Safety personnel
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Prerequisite: None
How Often: Required annually

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