Training

Depending on your role at the University of Waterloo, there is specific mandatory training you need to complete as part of Waterloo's Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Program. The Safety Office serves as the primary resource for health and safety training for staff, faculty, and students. Choose a category below to continue.

Determine required training

It is the responsibility of each department and supervisor to ensure that employees, students and volunteers receive training that is appropriate to the hazards present in their area of work/study.

To assist departments and supervisors, the Safety Office developed a training matrix. The training matrix outlines the training required based on the role and the hazards present in the workplace.

Supervisors can modify and use the matrix to meet their department's needs.

Download the training matrix

Safety Office training modules

Choose a category for more information on health & safety training available through the Safety Office.

Mandatory health and safety training (for all employees)

Every employee of the University must complete the following training:

The mandatory Accessibility Training module is available through Human Resources.

Please also review the hazard-specific training section for additional courses you may be required to complete.

Supervisor training

All supervisors must complete:

Supervisor Orientation Online (SO1100)

Supervisors working in higher risk areas (e.g., laboratories, technical and maintenance shops, areas where hazardous materials are used, commercial kitchens, custodial) must also complete the following training:

Supervisors of higher risk areas are also strongly encouraged to complete:

Risk Assessment Application (SO2501)*

*Supervisors must complete Risk Assessment (SO2500) before enrolling in SO1007, SO1012 or SO2501.

Research and laboratory training

Depending on your lab or research, you may need to take any of the following training courses:

Hazard-specific training

Depending on the nature of your role, you may be required to take any number of these courses.

Emergency response training

The following emergency response training modules are available through the Safety Office. Fire Wardens and First Aiders are determined by each department.

Supervisor provided safety training

New worker orientation training

Supervisors are expected to provide a physical orientation of the workplace to new employees. This orientation will show workers where important safety equipment is located and how to use it, such as:

Spill kits
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Eyewash and emergency showers
Alarms (a description of the alarms that are present and what to do if they are triggered)
Working alone procedures
Hazardous waste disposal
Chemical use
Emergency response
Spill response
Incident reporting

A New employee orientation worksheet is available to document your training.

The supervisor should also set up probationary periods during which the new worker is closely supervised. When the supervisor deems the worker is ready, they may begin performing procedures and working without close supervision.

Site/task-specific (practical) training

It is also the responsibility of the supervisor to conduct site/task-specific (practical) training for their workers and students to ensure that all tasks are completed in a safe manner.

In order to conduct site/task-specific training, supervisors should:

Ensure that all necessary mandatory and hazard-specific training has been completed (this can be done in advance)
Researchers with permits (biosafety, radiation, laser, x-ray, chemical, or other) must use the Annual Emergency Training Refresher Form to document completion of annual training provided to individual researchers that are using the facilities they are responsible for.
Instruct the worker to read the relevant safe operating procedures (SOP), risk assessments, job hazard analysis and operating manuals
Demonstrate how to complete the task as per the SOP and have the worker observe
Instruct the worker to perform the task and observe the worker to verify that they meet the performance expectations for safety
Document the training provided

It is the responsibility of the supervisor to maintain the training records of the site/task specific training. This Site-specific Training Form is available for supervisors to aid in their record keeping.

Specialty training

Training that is not listed on this page can be arranged as specialty training for departments and individuals. Contact the Safety Office for additional information. Please note that any costs associated with specialty training are the responsibility of the individual or department.

Scheduled classroom training sessions

Emergency First Aid (SO1038)

**Scheduling note:** Emergency First Aid (SO1038) is offered four times each year (May, June, November, December). May and June dates will be posted by April 16th and November and December dates will be posted by October 16th.
Date	Time	Location
See scheduling note above.

Incident Investigation (SO1012)
Date	Time	Location
Wednesday, April 19, 2023	1pm-4pm	COM 116E

Inspecting the Workplace (SO1007)
Date	Time	Location
Thursday, April 6, 2023	1:30pm-3:30pm	COM 116E
Friday, May 5, 2023	1:30pm-3:30pm	COM 116E

Risk Assessment Application (SO2501)
Date	Time	Location
Thursday, April 13, 2023	1:30pm-3:30pm	COM 116E

Safe Chemical Handling (SO2016)
Date	Time	Location
Scheduling note: Due to high demand, Safe Chemical Handling is in the process of moving online and will be available on LEARN.

Training roles and responsibilities

Department heads (Deans/Chairs/Directors/etc.)

Ensure supervisors and managers are competent
Provide resources and direction necessary to support health and safety training programs within their area of responsibility

Supervisors/managers

Ensure workers are competent to perform their tasks by:

Reviewing the training matrix to ensure that health and safety training for specific hazards related to tasks is delivered to workers
Ensuring the workers they supervise have completed health and safety training before commencing work
Identifying need for additional training including refresher training or site-specific training
Providing and maintaining records of site-specific training that they require that is not in the training matrix

Employees, students, visitors, volunteers, post-docs

Participate in health and safety training required by their supervisor
Follow established safe operating procedures (SOP) when operating equipment, performing tasks, or procedures
Only complete tasks within their training and expertise