Radiation Safety Training is required for all personnel using radioactive materials or radiation producing equipment at the University of Pennsylvania and affiliated institutions. All training for radiation workers can be completed from our website. See our online training programs. Here are some frequently asked questions about Radiation Safety Training.
The following Environmental Health & Safety training programs are required for all employees who work with hazardous substances including: chemicals, infectious agents, or human source material. Training requirements based on job duties and responsibilities are determined for each employee by completing the Penn Profiler.
Most introductory programs are offered monthly. Dates are published in the Almanac and on our website. Annual updates of these programs can be completed online. For more information on these programs or to request training program on safety or health topics for your department, please contact Valerie Perez at 215-646-6652 or by sending email to: traininghelp@ehrs.upenn.edu. There is no pre-registration required for these training courses.
This program provides a comprehensive overview of safe work practices in a biomedical research laboratory, including chemical safety, biosafety and bloodborne pathogens. This course familiarizes the employee with the University's Chemical Hygiene Plan, Biosafety Manual and Exposure Control Plans. (Note: This program does not include Radiation Safety and does not meet the Radiation Safety training requirement. Attendance of this program does not meet the training required to access the Wolf NanoFab lab. )
The course is designed for employees who have not previously attended training at the University and replaces Introduction to Laboratory Safety at Penn (Chemical Hygiene Training) AND Introduction to Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. All faculty, staff and students at the University who work in a laboratory must attend this training. Please arrive early. Sign-in is from 9:00 - 9:15am for morning course and 1:00 - 1:15pm for an afternoon session. No admittance to the course after 9:15 (or 1:15).
Please arrive early to sign in. Your Penn ID is required for sign-in. A Certificate of Completion will be granted at the end of the training session. Only those individuals who sign-in and receive the Certificate will be given credit for the course.
Note: All Staff and Faculty must attend a session of Introduction to Laboratory and Biological Safety Training as soon as possible after hire. Annual update training can be completed on-line, but only after first attending this introductory session.
This course is required annually for all laboratory employees who have previously attended "Introduction to Laboratory Safety (Chemical Hygiene Training)." Topics include chemical risk assessment, recommended work practices, engineering controls and personal protection as well as an update of waste disposal and emergency procedures. This training is available online. Faculty and staff who work with human source materials, HIV or hepatitis viruses must also take the "Bloodborne Pathogens Annual Update."
This training provides a comprehensive introduction to laboratory safety practices and procedures at Penn for individuals who work in laboratories at New Bolton Center (NBC) in Kennett Square, PA. It familiarizes the laboratory employee with the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Biosafety Manual, Exposure Control Plans and emergency procedures at NBC.
This course is mandatory for all University employees who are new to New Bolton Center and work in laboratories, and for those who have never attended Laboratory Safety training. If you have already attended a Laboratory safety training course in the past, you are not required to attend this course.
Please arrive early to sign-in. Penn ID is required for sign-in. Check training dates for upcoming training sessions.
This training is conducted once per year at New Bolton Center. For details, please contact Valerie Perez at 215-646-6652 or by sending email to: traininghelp@ehrs.upenn.edu.
This training program provides a comprehensive overview of safe work practices in a chemical intensive engineering research laboratory. Topics include lab emergencies, chemical storage and handling, use of fume hoods, hazard assessment techniques, protective equipment and chemical waste disposal procedures. The use of high hazard chemicals and gases such as hydrofluoric acid, piranha solution and anhydrous ammonia will be discussed. This course familiarizes students with Penn's Chemical Hygiene Plan and Chemical Waste Management Programs. (Note: This program does not include Radiation Safety and does not meet the Radiation Safety training requirement.)
The course is designed for Engineering students, faculty and staff who have not previously attended lab safety training at Penn who work in laboratories and handle chemicals. All users of the clean room facilities in Moore must attend this training. Students in Bioengineering and others who handle biological agents should attend Introduction to Laboratory and Biological Safety at Penn. Contact EHRS if you have questions concerning which training program is appropriate for you.
Penn ID is required for sign-in. Please arrive early. Sign-in takes place during the first FIVE minutes of the course. No admittance to the course after sign-in is closed. A Certificate of Completion will be granted at the end of the training session. Only those individuals who sign-in and receive the Certificate will be given credit for the course.
This course is required annually for all faculty and staff who work with human source material, HIV or hepatitis viruses and have previously attended "Introduction to Laboratory & Biological Safety Training at Penn" or "Introduction to Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens". Issues in general laboratory safety and bloodborne pathogens are discussed. Topics include bloodborne diseases, risk assessment, recommended work practices, engineering controls and personal protection as well as an update of waste disposal and emergency procedures. This training is available online.
Each of the above courses was developed for those exposed to bloodborne pathogens in a non-laboratory environment and meets the requirements of the Occupational Health & Safety Administrations Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Topics include bloodborne diseases, risk assessment, recommended work practices, engineering controls and personal protection as well as an update of waste disposal and emergency procedures. Each of these training is available online. Penn Profiler will assist you in the selection of the course appropriate to your workplace
Required for ALL non-laboratory University employees who may be occupationally exposed to hazardous substances. This program provides information on the hazards and safe handling of chemicals.
Required for ALL faculty, staff and students who operate lasers. Topics discussed include the laser medical surveillance program, the laser safety manual, exposure incidents, hazard analysis and control measures. For details, contact Karen Kelley by phone at 215-573-9446 or by email at kelley@ehrs.upenn.edu
This course is required for all faculty, staff or students who conduct research using recombinant DNA in order to comply with the spirit of the NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research. This training program is meant to enhance awareness about the Guidelines and provide information regarding the roles, responsibilities, safeguards and procedures for various personnel involved with rDNA research at the University of Pennsylvania.
Infectious and biological substances are classified as Dangerous Goods. International and national regulations require that personnel who prepare and package these substances for shipping must be trained every two years to ensure compliance.
Penn ID is required for sign-in. A Certificate of Completion will be granted at the end of the training session. Only those individuals who sign-in and receive the Certificate will be given credit for the course. Penn faculty, staff or students should contact Sue Souder at 215-746-6641 to register for the class or for more information
Note: Click here for more information about packaging and shipping.
The Power Tool & Shop Safety Training program is designed to provide basic safety awareness training to the University community who use tools, equipment and/or perform fabrication, alteration, maintenance, construction or mechanical tasks. This training program supplements specific on-the-job training and oversight provided by the supervisor or faculty. This is an online training course required for all faculty, staff and students that work in a SHOP that is not supervised by FRES.