Mandatory safety training

Required modules | Supervisor training| Hazard specific training modules

Those "working" in paid or unpaid positions at the University of Waterloo (UW) must take the following courses to comply with UW health and safety requirements (click on the links below to log into the course). A UW user id and password are required to access the modules.

Employees include:
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Graduate students
  • Co-op students/unpaid learners
  • Undergraduate students employed at University of Waterloo
  • Research personnel e.g. postdoctoral fellows, research assistants/associates
  • Visiting faculty/post-docs
  • Teaching assistants

Employee safety orientation (S01001) - online module requires 30-60 minutes to complete

Workplace violence awareness (S01081) - online module requires 30-60 minutes to complete

Employee Accessibility Training (AODA) (OPD102) - online module

WHMIS 2015 (S02017) - online module requires 30-60 minutes to complete. This online course is available by self-registering on LEARN. All employees (new and existing), regardless of job description, must complete the WHMIS 2015 course.

Supervisor training

Who is a supervisor?

A supervisor is defined in the OHSA to mean a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. This includes all UWaterloo employees who exercise a supervisory role within their duties, including:

All supervisory and managerial staff

Faculty members who supervise employees, graduate students or undergraduate students in a laboratory, fieldwork or other work setting

Technical staff and paid graduate students assigned responsibility to supervise the work of others or the operation of a laboratory/shop

Supervisor Orientation Online (S01100) - requires 30-60 minutes to complete

These courses can be found at https://https://uwaterloo.ca/safety-office/training

Training is provided to all laboratory users. Emphasis in this training is placed on safe operating procedures, hazards related to specific equipment usage and general laboratory safety. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is issued to each laboratory user while working in the facility. This PPE includes, but is not limited to, safety glasses and goggles. Numerous first aid kits and fire extinguishers are mounted through the building. An eye wash station is easily accessible to users of the Management Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory.

Training is provided to all laboratory users. Emphasis in this training is placed on safe operating procedures, hazards related to specific equipment usage and general laboratory safety. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is issued to each laboratory user while working in the facility. This PPE includes, but is not limited to, safety glasses and goggles. Numerous first aid kits and fire extinguishers are mounted through the building. An eye wash station is easily accessible to users of the Management Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory.

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Hazard specific training
All laboratory workers must receive adequate training in the use of specific equipment and how to use the information provided by warning labels and safety data sheets (SDSs).
Safety training and/or information should be provided by a faculty member, teaching assistant, or staff member at the beginning of a new assignment or when a new hazard is introduced into the workplace.
The following training modules are mandatory for those working with the specific hazard or performing the specified functions. Online sessions may be taken at any time. Classroom sessions are scheduled on a regular basis each term.

Mandatory training modules for everyone working with hazardous materials or performing specific functions

Format

Title

Course number

Approximate duration

Classroom Emergency first aid S01038 8 hours
Classroom Incident investigation S01012 3 hours
Online Laboratory safety S01010 45 minutes
Online Supervisor orientation online S01100 1 hour
Online WHMIS 2015 S02017 1 hour
Classroom Workplace inspections S01007 3 hours
Every person working in a laboratory is responsible for ensuring that he or she:
  • Completes all applicable health and safety training
  • Follows all applicable safety rules and practices
  • Uses and wears protective equipment as required
  • Reports unsafe equipment and working conditions to the laboratory supervisor
  • Reports all accidents/incidents to the laboratory supervisor, the health and safety coordinator, and/or the administrative officer.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY

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