Set Up a Research Space

Working with Hazardous Materials

Before beginning work at the University of Alberta, researchers must first identify, assess and control hazardous materials, equipment and conditions.

Follow the steps below to ensure you and your team are prepared to work safely at the university.

Register in U of A Safety Hub

The U of A Safety Hub is the university's new safety management system, replacing ARISE. All Principal Investigators or Supervisors working with hazardous materials (including chemicals, biological materials, or nuclear substances) or conducting field research must register their spaces and workers in Safety Hub as follows:

1. Log in to Safety Hub using your CCID and password. 
2. Complete the U of A Safety Hub Registration Form 

Apply for Permits + Approvals

Work with the following types of hazardous materials at the U of A may require additional permits or approvals:

• nuclear substances.
• biological materials (transfer of biological materials, research grant approvals, etc.).
• chemicals.
• physical hazards.

You must have approvals in place before beginning work with hazardous materials.

Protect + Monitor Your Health

Before you start work, consider the health ramifications of your work and if you have implemented appropriate control measures. 

HSE offers the following services to assist with injury and illness prevention:

• audiometric testing.
• personal radiation monitoring (dosimetry).
• health assessments related to pregnancy or change in immune status.
• vaccination consultation.
• post-exposure response planning.
• reporting and tracking laboratory-acquired infections.

Medical Surveillance

Post Hazard Signage

All locations that house hazardous materials must post hazard signage on the door to the hallway. Signage illustrates what hazards are in a space and what personal protective equipment is required. In an emergency, first responders may also rely on signage for contact information and to understand the hazards in the space. Hazard signage can be generated in Safety Hub.

If you will be working with lasers or x-rays, additional signage may be required.

Generate Hazard Signage in Safety Hub

Prepare Safety Documents

Complete the following documentation and have it readily available for review by your research team or by HSE inspectors:

1. Unit action plan/emergency response plan.
2. Working alone procedure.
3. Hazard assessment.
4. Safe operating procedures for your processes.
5. Training records.

Forms + Documents

Complete Training

Anyone conducting university-related activities must be trained and competent to do so. Before beginning work:

1. do a training needs assessment.
2. take the training.
3. demonstrate competency.

Training

Set up Hazardous Waste Collection

Research groups that generate hazardous waste should enroll in U of A Safety Hub, a web-based system to manage waste disposal. Based on U of A Safety Hub input, HSE will schedule waste pickup and transfer for the university. 

Increase Safety in Shared Spaces

Assign Responsibility

Assign a safety designate for the shared space. This person should be a member of one of the research groups in the space and may be a chair, director, supervisor, foreman or senior principal investigator. A safety designate is responsible for:

• coordinating communication efforts.
• organizing shared tasks such as eye washing, lab inspections and equipment preventative maintenance.
• overseeing the development of a lab orientation and lab emergency procedures.

Communicate Between Groups

Communicate to ensure that all members in a shared space are made aware of rules, responsibilities, hazards, controls and other important items. Effective methods of communication include group meetings, notice boards, signage and orientations.

Be Accountable

Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. The safety designate and other supervisors must assign shared space responsibilities to occupants, monitor completion, set deadlines and hold personnel accountable to those deadlines. With everyone working together towards the same goal, everyone involved will benefit.

Secure Your Space

Ensure that your space can be secured while work is underway and at the end of the day. Doors must be closed while individuals are in the space and closed and locked while the space is unoccupied for the following reasons:

Prevent Theft, Secure Research + Increase Personal Safety

Closing and locking doors deters property theft, prevents unwanted visitors and protects research data and information. 

Comply with Regulations

The following government regulators require laboratory doors to be closed and/or locked:

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
• Government of Alberta (Fire Code)

Failure to comply with regulations may result in the suspension of research and funding.