A laboratory, or lab, is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratories have the potential to contain hazards related to the use of chemicals, biological materials, radiological materials, or equipment.
To help control the hazards that may be present, labs are required to comply with various regulations and University of Utah rules.
Teaching labs differ from research labs in their function; however, they are still required to comply with all applicable rules and regulations. All lab employees, including TAs, must receive training in chemical hygiene and all laboratory specific procedures including, but not limited to, all experimental procedures (and associated hazards) that will be conducted by students in the teaching lab.
All student lab participants should receive safety training related to the hazards present in the lab and the hazards associated with all experimental procedures that will be conducted during the lab experience, including any demonstrations, as part of the teaching curriculum. This training should be documented and the documentation saved in the teaching lab’s SAM document library.
Documentation may be facilitated by uploading a document showing the topics covered during the training, a roster listing the names of all the class members that participated in the training, and the date(s) of the training. Other documentation methods may be used as long as it documents the who, what, and when if the training. If assistance is needed to determine the best method of documenting required training please reach out to the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist assigned to your area.