Safety
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SUPERVISING SAFETY ONLINE COURSE
Completion of this course is mandatory as per Alberta OHS regulations.
Again to clarify the definition: anyone who is responsible for a work site (can include field site, research or teaching lab, office) or oversees the work of others is a supervisor.
Link to the online course here.
Working Alone Policy for DBS
Make sure that you have formulated and created a plan for anyone who is required to work alone. You can follow the HSE Working Alone Policy document to guide you in preparing your own protocol. Remember that hazards are specific to your particular work area and must be addressed. Need help? Contact the Safety Officer.
UALabSync - Chemical Inventory + Hazardous Waste Management
This program replaces Chematix effective May 15, 2025. If you have not registered yet, plead through this system. You can contact HSE or the Safety Officer for assistance.se do so at this page. All chemical inventory and waste disposal is now manage.
Safety Training Onboarding Document
A resource to identify online courses offered through HSE to meet minimum safety requirements for the Department of Biological Sciences. Find it here.
Safety Information Pages
In addition to the onboarding document noted above, there are other resources available for use in the shared Safety Information Folder. These include autoclave testing, hazard assessments and lab SOP’s. The link is set for all DBS members; if you have problems opening it, please contact the Safety Officer.
Field Activity Safety Plans - Have You Completed Yours?( Update as follow-> Tom)
A Field Activities Safety Plan (FASP) is a document that ensures you have met obligations and responsibilities under the U of A Off-Campus Travel Policy and Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Any work rated as medium, high or extreme risk (refer to Field Research Risk Matrix) must have a FAP. This document will outline the nature of the work, location(s), participants, assessed hazards and controls and emergency response protocols.
To get started, review the Field Research Pre-Planning guide. You can find online training for writing the plan here and can access the template on the pre-planning guide website.
To summarize the process:
- List the activities in your project and then assess the risk level using the Risk Matrix, Approval and Action Requirements document.
- Complete the mandatory Field Research Training (all participants must do this).
- Complete the Field Activity Safety Plan using this template. If your project may require specialized rescue (e.g. remote high altitude situation) or collaborating with other institution, agency or company, also complete a FASP Addendum
- If waivers are required for any participants, make an application to Insurance and Risk Assessment. A customized form will be created for you. Turnaround time is about 15 days so apply early.
- Submit the unsigned FASP (and FASP Addendum) to Field Activities Plan Central Registry. It should take about 10 business days for review and reply from the Faculty Health and Safety Advisor (Christine Williams). NOTE: Plans with a Risk Level 4 (High) or 5 (Extreme) will require a longer lead time (minimum 20 business days) to review and process.
- Amend and sign the document to reflect requested edits. . Once secondary approval (usually Chair DBS) has been obtained, share the document with all participants, collect signatures and print a hard copy for retention in the field..
- All updates and edits should be done on the copy retained in the central registry. The Faculty Health and Safety Officer will share this with you. Please do not create new versions - these can be lost in the shuffle.
WCB Reporting:
Any work-related injury that requires medical attention or results in lost time or modified work duties must be reported to the Workers Compensation Board. After filing an Incident Report, ask the physician (if visited) to submit the Physician First report within 48 hours. You and your supervisor should submit the Worker Report form and Employer form respectively within 72 hours if possible. Check the WCB Reporting page for more information.
Security on Campus
Check the University of Alberta Protective Services Page for personal safety and emergency notification processes.
Hazardous Waste Treatment
All Hazardous Waste is processed via UALabSync, not through the regular waste stream. This includes biological, chemical and radiological materials.. If in doubt, contact the Safety Officer before disposal.
For further information on chemical waste disposal;
see the Waste Disposal page
Cold Weather Information
These documents are intended primarily for field research groups, but if you spend any amount of time outdoors for recreational or other purposes, then do read them.
HSE Cold Stress Assessment Form