Laboratory Safety Training

Laboratory safety training helps employees understand the hazards they may encounter in laboratory work and the procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment, and emergency actions necessary to protect themselves and others. Effective training should prepare employees to recognize hazards, work safely, respond appropriately when something goes wrong, and understand the safety programs that apply to their laboratory.

For laboratories covered by OSHA’s Laboratory Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450, employers must provide employees with information and training at the time of initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and before assignments involving new exposure situations. The employer determines the frequency of refresher information and training under the Laboratory Standard. (osha.gov)

Laboratory safety training should reflect the actual chemicals, equipment, procedures, and hazards present in the workplace rather than relying only on generic safety orientation.

What Is Laboratory Safety Training?

Laboratory safety training is the process of teaching employees how to identify and control hazards associated with laboratory work.

Depending on the laboratory, training may address:

• Chemical hazards.
• Chemical Hygiene Plan requirements.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Chemical labeling.
• Chemical storage and compatibility.
• Chemical fume hoods.
• Laboratory PPE.
• Emergency eyewashes and safety showers.
• Chemical spills.
• Laboratory emergency procedures.
• Compressed gas cylinders.
• Cryogenic liquids.
• Electrical safety.
• Laboratory equipment.
• Biological hazards.
• Bloodborne pathogens.
• Sharps safety.
• Hazardous waste.
• Radiation or laser hazards.
• Working alone.
• Security and visitor procedures.

Not every employee needs identical training. The training should correspond to the employee’s duties and potential exposures.

OSHA Laboratory Safety Training Requirements

Under 29 CFR 1910.1450, employees covered by OSHA’s Laboratory Standard must receive information and training sufficient to understand the hazards of the chemicals present in their work area and the measures they can take to protect themselves.

OSHA requires this information and training:

At the time of initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present

and

Before assignments involving new exposure situations. (osha.gov)

The employer determines the frequency of refresher information and training.

That does not mean refresher training should be ignored. Refresher or additional training may be appropriate when:

• Procedures change.
• New chemicals are introduced.
• New equipment is installed.
• Employees receive new responsibilities.
• An incident or near miss identifies a knowledge gap.
• Inspections reveal unsafe practices.
• Regulatory requirements change.
• Employees demonstrate that previous training has not been retained.

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Related Programs

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Hazard Communication & Safety Data Sheets

Hazardous Waste Management

Laboratory Chemical Safety

Laboratory Emergency Procedures

Laboratory Equipment Safety

Laboratory Hazard Assessment & Risk Assessment

Laboratory PPE

Laboratory Safety Inspections

Laboratory Safety Training

Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Medical Consultation & Chemical Exposure Response

Respiratory Protection

Sharps Safety

Spill Prevention & Response

Visitors & Contractors in Laboratories

Working Alone in Laboratories

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What Information Must Employees Receive?

OSHA’s Laboratory Standard requires employees to be informed of several specific subjects.

Employees must be informed of:

• The contents of 29 CFR 1910.1450 and its appendices.
• The location and availability of the employer’s Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• OSHA permissible exposure limits for regulated substances, or other recommended exposure limits where no OSHA standard applies.
• Signs and symptoms associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals used in the laboratory.
• The location and availability of known reference materials on the hazards, safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals, including Safety Data Sheets. (osha.gov)

This information should be presented in a way employees can actually use during their work.

What Must Laboratory Chemical Safety Training Cover?

OSHA requires employee training to include:

• Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical.
• Physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area.
• Measures employees can take to protect themselves from those hazards.
• Details of the employer’s written Chemical Hygiene Plan. (osha.gov)

Protective measures can include:

• Work practices.
• Emergency procedures.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Engineering controls.
• Other applicable controls.

Training should connect these subjects to the employee’s actual laboratory tasks.

Chemical Hygiene Plan Training

Employees should understand the parts of the Chemical Hygiene Plan that affect their work.

Training should address topics such as:

• Laboratory safety responsibilities.
• Standard Operating Procedures.
• Chemical-handling requirements.
• Engineering controls.
• Fume hood use.
• PPE requirements.
• Chemical storage.
• Particularly hazardous substances.
• Prior-approval requirements.
• Exposure monitoring.
• Medical consultation.
• Spill and emergency procedures.
• Waste management.
• Employee reporting responsibilities.

The Chemical Hygiene Plan should not be treated as a document only supervisors or safety personnel need to understand.

Employees need to know how the plan applies to their own work.

Safety Data Sheet Training

Employees should know how to locate and use Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

Training should explain important SDS sections, including:

• Hazard identification.
• First-aid measures.
• Fire-fighting measures.
• Accidental-release measures.
• Handling and storage.
• Exposure controls and PPE.
• Stability and reactivity.
• Toxicological information.

Employees do not need to memorize every SDS, but they should know where to find the information they need.

For example:

What gloves should I use?

What happens if this chemical gets in my eyes?

Is this chemical flammable?

What chemicals is it incompatible with?

How should I store it?

What should I do if it spills?

The SDS helps answer those questions.

Chemical Hazard Recognition

Employees should be trained to recognize both health hazards and physical hazards.

Health hazards can include:

• Acute toxicity.
• Carcinogenicity.
• Reproductive toxicity.
• Sensitization.
• Corrosivity.
• Organ toxicity.
• Respiratory effects.

Physical hazards can include:

• Flammability.
• Oxidizing potential.
• Explosivity.
• Reactivity.
• Pyrophoricity.
• Water reactivity.
• Pressure.
• Cryogenic temperature.

A chemical can present multiple hazards at the same time.

Training should therefore discourage oversimplified thinking such as:

“This is only corrosive.”

or:

“This is only flammable.”

Routes of Exposure

Laboratory safety training should explain how hazardous substances can enter the body.

Common exposure routes include:

Inhalation

Skin absorption

Eye contact

Ingestion

Injection

Understanding exposure routes helps employees understand why certain controls are required.

For example:

A volatile toxic chemical may require a fume hood.

A chemical with significant skin absorption may require specialized gloves.

A corrosive liquid may require splash goggles and immediate access to an eyewash.

Chemical Storage and Compatibility Training

Employees who handle or store laboratory chemicals should understand basic chemical compatibility principles.

Training should explain why chemicals should not simply be stored alphabetically without first considering compatibility.

Employees should understand common segregation considerations involving:

• Acids.
• Bases.
• Oxidizers.
• Flammables.
• Reducing agents.
• Water-reactive materials.
• Pyrophoric chemicals.
• Peroxide-forming chemicals.
• Particularly hazardous substances.

Employees should also know how to use SDS information and laboratory procedures when compatibility is uncertain.

For additional information, see Chemical Storage and Compatibility.

Chemical Fume Hood Training

Employees should receive training before independently using a chemical fume hood for hazardous work.

Training should address:

• Purpose of the hood.
• When the hood is required.
• Proper sash position.
• Airflow indicators.
• Hood alarms.
• Correct work positioning.
• Equipment placement.
• Cross drafts.
• Hood limitations.
• Prohibition on unnecessary chemical storage.
• What to do during ventilation failure.

Employees should understand that a hood is an engineering control and that its protective performance depends on both the equipment and how it is used.

For additional information, see Chemical Fume Hood Safety.

Laboratory PPE Training

Employees required to use PPE must understand:

• When PPE is necessary.
• What PPE is required.
• How to put it on.
• How to remove it.
• How to adjust and wear it.
• Its limitations.
• How to inspect it.
• How to maintain it.
• When to replace it.
• How to dispose of contaminated PPE.

OSHA’s general PPE standard requires affected employees to demonstrate an understanding of required PPE training and the ability to use PPE properly before performing work that requires it. (osha.gov)

Training should also address common laboratory misconceptions, such as assuming that:

Nitrile gloves protect against every chemical.

or:

A face shield replaces splash goggles.

For additional information, see Laboratory PPE.

Emergency Eyewash and Safety Shower Training

Employees should know where emergency eyewashes and safety showers are located and how to use them.

Training should emphasize:

Immediate flushing following significant chemical exposure.

Employees should not delay emergency decontamination while searching for a supervisor or reading an SDS.

Employees should understand:

• How to activate the eyewash.
• How to activate the shower.
• How to hold the eyes open during flushing.
• When contaminated clothing should be removed.
• How to obtain medical evaluation.
• How to report the exposure.

Chemical Spill Training

Employees should know how the laboratory expects them to respond to chemical spills.

Training should distinguish between:

Incidental spills employees are trained and equipped to manage

and

Emergency releases requiring evacuation and specialized response.

Employees should understand:

• Where spill kits are located.
• What spill materials are appropriate.
• Required PPE.
• When they may attempt cleanup.
• When they must evacuate.
• How to report the spill.
• How cleanup waste is managed.

A spill kit does not make every employee an emergency responder.

Laboratory Emergency Procedures Training

Employees should be trained in the laboratory’s emergency procedures before an emergency occurs.

Training should include:

• Emergency numbers.
• Alarm signals.
• Evacuation routes.
• Assembly locations.
• Fire procedures.
• Chemical spills.
• Chemical exposure.
• Gas releases.
• Oxygen-deficiency alarms.
• Power failures.
• Fume hood failures.
• Emergency shutdowns.
• Medical emergencies.
• Employee response limitations.

For additional information, see Laboratory Emergency Procedures.

Fire Safety Training

Laboratory employees should understand:

• Fire alarm procedures.
• Evacuation requirements.
• Ignition-source control.
• Flammable-liquid hazards.
• Emergency shutdowns where applicable.
• Fire-extinguisher responsibilities.

If employees are expected or authorized to use portable fire extinguishers, OSHA’s applicable fire-extinguisher education and training requirements must be addressed. (osha.gov)

Employees who are not trained or authorized should evacuate rather than attempt to fight a fire.

Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety Training

Employees handling compressed gas cylinders should receive training on:

• Cylinder identification.
• Gas hazards.
• Cylinder restraints.
• Valve protection.
• Transportation.
• Regulators.
• Connections.
• Leak testing.
• Ventilation.
• Oxygen-deficiency hazards.
• Flammable gases.
• Oxidizers.
• Toxic gases.
• Gas alarms.
• Cylinder change-out.
• Emergency response.

For additional information, see Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety.

Cryogenic Safety Training

Employees handling liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic materials should understand:

• Extreme-cold hazards.
• Frostbite.
• Cryogenic burns.
• Rapid liquid-to-gas expansion.
• Oxygen displacement.
• Pressure buildup.
• Pressure-relief devices.
• Dewar safety.
• Cryogenic transfers.
• Ventilation.
• Oxygen alarms.
• Cryogenic PPE.
• Spill response.
• Rescue limitations.

Employees should clearly understand that cryogenic gloves are generally intended for incidental exposure and are not intended for immersing hands in liquid nitrogen.

For additional information, see Cryogenic Safety.

Electrical Safety Training

Employees using laboratory electrical equipment should understand basic electrical safety practices.

Training may include:

• Inspecting cords and plugs.
• Keeping electrical equipment away from water.
• Reporting damaged equipment.
• Grounding.
• Extension-cord limitations.
• Equipment disconnects.
• Electrical-panel access.
• Prohibition on unauthorized electrical repairs.

Employees who perform qualified electrical work require additional training under the applicable electrical-safety requirements.

Laboratory Equipment Training

Employees should be trained before operating equipment that can create significant hazards.

Examples include:

• Centrifuges.
• Autoclaves.
• Ovens.
• Furnaces.
• Vacuum systems.
• Pressure systems.
• Rotating machinery.
• Cryogenic equipment.
• Specialized analytical equipment.

Training should address:

• Manufacturer instructions.
• Pre-use inspection.
• Operating limits.
• Guards and interlocks.
• Required PPE.
• Emergency stops.
• Shutdown.
• Cleaning.
• Maintenance restrictions.
• Reporting equipment defects.

Employees should not be expected to learn hazardous equipment through trial and error.

Lockout/Tagout Training

Employees who service laboratory equipment may be exposed to electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal, pressure, or other hazardous energy.

Where OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout Standard applies, employees must receive the level of training appropriate to their role as:

• Authorized employees.
• Affected employees.
• Other employees.

Detailed requirements should be addressed through the employer’s Lockout/Tagout Safety Program.

Biological Safety Training

Where biological hazards are present, training may address:

• Biological-agent hazards.
• Containment.
• Biological safety cabinets.
• Aerosol-generating procedures.
• PPE.
• Sharps.
• Decontamination.
• Biological waste.
• Exposure procedures.
• Spill response.

The level of training should reflect the agents and procedures involved.

Bloodborne Pathogens Training

Employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials are subject to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030.

Covered employees must receive Bloodborne Pathogens training at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter, with additional training when changes affect occupational exposure. (osha.gov)

This is an important distinction:

The Laboratory Standard does not prescribe annual refresher training, but the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard does for covered employees.

Hazardous Waste Training

Employees generating or handling laboratory waste should understand:

• Waste identification.
• Container selection.
• Labeling.
• Container closure.
• Waste compatibility.
• Segregation.
• Accumulation areas.
• Spill prevention.
• Prohibited drain and trash disposal.
• Emergency procedures.

Employees with more specialized hazardous-waste responsibilities may require additional environmental or hazardous-material transportation training.

Radiation Safety Training

Where ionizing radiation or radioactive materials are used, employees should receive training required by:

• Applicable federal or state radiation requirements.
• Radiation licenses.
• Facility radiation-safety procedures.
• The employer’s Ionizing Radiation Program.

Training may include:

• Radiation hazards.
• Time, distance, and shielding.
• Dosimetry.
• Radiation areas.
• Contamination control.
• Emergency procedures.
• Waste management.

Only trained and authorized employees should perform restricted radiation work.

Laser Safety Training

Employees operating certain lasers may require specialized training addressing:

• Laser classification.
• Eye hazards.
• Skin hazards.
• Beam paths.
• Reflections.
• Interlocks.
• Barriers.
• Laser eyewear.
• Alignment procedures.
• Electrical hazards.
• Fire hazards.
• Emergency response.

Class 3B and Class 4 laser work generally requires more formal safety controls than lower-class laser systems.

Nanomaterial Safety Training

Where engineered nanomaterials are used, employees should understand:

• Potential exposure routes.
• Aerosol and dust hazards.
• Containment.
• Local exhaust ventilation.
• PPE.
• Cleanup methods.
• Waste procedures.

Because toxicological information may be incomplete for some engineered nanomaterials, training should emphasize prudent exposure prevention.

Laboratory Animal Safety Training

Employees working with laboratory animals may need training in:

• Animal handling.
• Bites and scratches.
• Zoonotic diseases.
• Animal allergens.
• Sharps.
• Waste anesthetic gases.
• PPE.
• Biological hazards.
• Ergonomics.
• Emergency procedures.

Training should match the species, procedures, and applicable institutional requirements.

Working Alone Training

Employees who may work alone should understand:

• Which procedures may not be performed alone.
• Check-in requirements.
• After-hours access.
• Communication methods.
• Emergency contacts.
• Required approvals.

Higher-hazard procedures may require another qualified person to be present.

Laboratory Security Training

Employees should understand laboratory security responsibilities.

Training may include:

• Access controls.
• Keys and badges.
• Restricted materials.
• Visitors.
• After-hours access.
• Suspicious activity.
• Lost credentials.
• Security incidents.
• Sensitive chemical or biological materials.

Employees should not provide access to unauthorized persons merely as a courtesy.

Visitor and Contractor Safety

Employees responsible for visitors or contractors should understand:

• Laboratory access restrictions.
• PPE requirements.
• Emergency procedures.
• Escort requirements.
• Hazard communication.
• Restricted operations.
• Equipment decontamination before servicing.
• Coordination of Lockout/Tagout and other hazardous work.

Contractors should not be allowed to begin work in a laboratory until relevant hazards have been communicated.

New Employee Laboratory Safety Orientation

A useful laboratory safety orientation for a new employee may include:

• General laboratory rules.
• Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Emergency contacts.
• Evacuation.
• Eyewashes and showers.
• Fire procedures.
• Hazard reporting.
• SDSs.
• Chemical labels.
• Chemical storage.
• Fume hoods.
• PPE.
• Waste procedures.
• Equipment restrictions.
• Security.
• Working alone.
• Incident and near-miss reporting.

Orientation should be supplemented by task-specific training before the employee independently performs hazardous work.

Task-Specific Training

Generic laboratory orientation does not establish competency to perform every laboratory procedure.

Employees should receive additional training for:

• Specific hazardous chemicals.
• Specialized equipment.
• High-hazard procedures.
• Particularly hazardous substances.
• Reactive chemicals.
• Compressed-gas systems.
• Cryogenic systems.
• Biological procedures.
• Radiation.
• Lasers.
• Other specialized hazards.

Training may include hands-on demonstration, supervised work, written procedures, and competency verification.

Training Before New Exposure Situations

OSHA specifically requires covered employees to receive information and training before assignments involving new exposure situations. (osha.gov)

This can be important when:

• A new hazardous chemical is introduced.
• The employee begins a new procedure.
• Chemical concentration increases substantially.
• The process is scaled up.
• A new route of exposure becomes possible.
• Engineering controls change.
• The employee begins working with a particularly hazardous substance.

Employees should not be assigned first and trained afterward.

Refresher Laboratory Safety Training

OSHA’s Laboratory Standard states that the frequency of refresher information and training shall be determined by the employer. (osha.gov)

A laboratory may establish periodic refresher training based on:

• Hazard level.
• Employee turnover.
• Complexity of procedures.
• Incident history.
• Inspection findings.
• Changes in operations.
• Client requirements.
• Other applicable standards.

Other OSHA standards may independently require training at a specific frequency.

As noted above, covered Bloodborne Pathogens employees require annual training.

Fire extinguisher training, respiratory protection, hazardous waste, forklift operation, and other specialized subjects may also have their own training requirements depending on employee duties.

Retraining

Retraining should be provided when there is reason to believe the employee no longer has the understanding or skill necessary to work safely.

Examples include:

• Repeated unsafe practices.
• Incorrect PPE use.
• Failure to follow SOPs.
• Incident involvement.
• Near misses.
• Inspection findings.
• Failure to recognize alarms.
• Changes in procedures.
• New equipment.
• New hazards.

Retraining should address the actual deficiency rather than merely repeating a generic presentation.

Competency Verification

Attendance does not necessarily mean an employee can safely perform a hazardous task.

For higher-hazard work, employers should consider verifying competency through:

• Demonstration.
• Observation.
• Practical exercises.
• Supervisor sign-off.
• Written or verbal knowledge checks.
• Supervised initial work.
• Equipment qualification.

This can be especially useful for:

• Fume hood work.
• Hazardous chemical transfers.
• Cryogenic filling.
• Gas-cylinder change-out.
• Autoclaves.
• Centrifuges.
• Biological safety cabinets.
• Specialized equipment.

The objective is to determine whether the employee can apply the training in practice.

Hands-On Laboratory Safety Training

Some laboratory-safety subjects are better taught through demonstration than through slides alone.

Useful hands-on exercises may include:

• Locating and activating an eyewash.
• Locating the safety shower.
• Demonstrating spill-kit contents.
• Proper glove removal.
• Fume hood setup.
• Cylinder-cart use.
• Regulator connection demonstration.
• Cryogenic PPE selection.
• Emergency evacuation drill.
• Equipment shutdown.

Hands-on training can make emergency procedures easier to remember when employees are under stress.

Laboratory Safety Meetings

Short laboratory safety meetings can supplement formal training.

Topics may include:

• New chemicals.
• Recent incidents.
• Near misses.
• Inspection findings.
• Procedure changes.
• New equipment.
• Emergency reminders.
• Seasonal hazards.
• Lessons learned.

These meetings should supplement—not replace—training specifically required by applicable OSHA standards.

Laboratory Safety Training Records

Training should be documented.

A useful training record may identify:

Employee Name

Training Topic

Training Date

Instructor or Training Source

Topics Covered

Method of Training

Competency Verification, where applicable

Employee/Trainer Acknowledgment

The exact documentation requirements depend on the applicable OSHA standard and employer program.

Good records help demonstrate what training was provided and can also help identify when retraining or updates are necessary.

Online Laboratory Safety Training

Online training can be useful for topics that involve:

• Hazard awareness.
• Regulatory information.
• Chemical Hygiene Plan orientation.
• SDSs and labels.
• General laboratory rules.

However, online training alone may not be sufficient for tasks requiring practical skill.

Employees may still need hands-on instruction or supervised demonstration for:

• Specialized equipment.
• Respirators.
• Gas systems.
• Cryogenic transfers.
• Emergency equipment.
• Biological containment.
• Other task-specific activities.

Training method should be appropriate to what the employee must actually do.

Language and Comprehension

Training should be provided in a manner employees can understand.

A technically accurate presentation is of little value if the employee does not understand:

• The hazard.
• The required procedure.
• What PPE to use.
• What an alarm means.
• What to do during an emergency.

Employers should consider employee language, literacy, experience, and prior laboratory knowledge when designing training.

Training Temporary and New Laboratory Personnel

Temporary employees, interns, students acting as employees, visiting workers, and other short-term personnel should receive safety information appropriate to the hazards they will encounter before beginning applicable work.

Short duration does not eliminate exposure.

The level of training should reflect:

• Their duties.
• Their supervision.
• Chemicals involved.
• Equipment involved.
• Emergency responsibilities.
• Access to hazardous areas.

Training Contractors

Contractors may require information about laboratory hazards even when they do not perform laboratory work.

Maintenance workers, electricians, HVAC technicians, equipment-service personnel, custodians, and construction contractors may encounter:

• Hazardous chemicals.
• Biological materials.
• Radiation.
• Gas systems.
• Contaminated equipment.
• Specialized ventilation.
• Emergency systems.

The host laboratory should communicate relevant hazards and coordinate safe work procedures before contractor work begins.

Common Laboratory Safety Training Problems

Common deficiencies include:

• Providing only generic orientation.
• Training employees after they have already begun hazardous work.
• Failing to train employees before new exposure situations.
• Assuming experienced employees need no site-specific training.
• Failing to explain the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Employees not knowing where SDSs are located.
• Employees not understanding chemical labels.
• Poor glove-selection knowledge.
• Employees not knowing what a fume hood alarm means.
• Employees unable to locate an eyewash.
• Employees uncertain when to evacuate during a spill.
• No task-specific equipment training.
• Training records that do not identify the subject covered.
• Refresher training never being considered.
• Repeated unsafe practices without retraining.
• No verification that employees can actually perform higher-hazard tasks safely.

Laboratory Safety Training Checklist

A practical Laboratory Safety Training Checklist can include:

☐ Employees receive laboratory safety orientation before independent work.

☐ Employees covered by 29 CFR 1910.1450 receive required information and training at initial assignment.

☐ Employees receive training before assignments involving new exposure situations.

☐ Employees are informed of the OSHA Laboratory Standard and its appendices.

☐ Employees know where the Chemical Hygiene Plan is located.

☐ Chemical Hygiene Plan responsibilities are explained.

☐ Employees know how to obtain SDSs.

☐ Employees understand chemical labels.

☐ Chemical health hazards are addressed.

☐ Chemical physical hazards are addressed.

☐ Routes of exposure are explained.

☐ Chemical storage and compatibility are addressed.

☐ Fume hood use and alarms are addressed.

☐ Laboratory PPE selection and limitations are addressed.

☐ Employees are trained in eyewash use.

☐ Employees are trained in safety shower use.

☐ Chemical spill procedures are addressed.

☐ Emergency procedures and evacuation are addressed.

☐ Fire procedures are addressed.

☐ Compressed gas safety is addressed where applicable.

☐ Cryogenic safety is addressed where applicable.

☐ Electrical and equipment safety are addressed where applicable.

☐ Lockout/Tagout training is provided where applicable.

☐ Biological safety training is provided where applicable.

☐ Bloodborne Pathogens training is provided where occupational exposure exists.

☐ Radiation or laser training is provided where applicable.

☐ Hazardous waste procedures are addressed.

☐ Working-alone rules are addressed.

☐ Security and visitor procedures are addressed.

☐ Employees receive task-specific training.

☐ Higher-hazard procedures include competency verification where appropriate.

☐ Refresher training frequency has been evaluated.

☐ Required recurring training under other standards is tracked.

☐ Employees are retrained when knowledge or performance is inadequate.

☐ Training is provided in a manner employees understand.

☐ Training records are maintained.

☐ Training deficiencies identified through inspections or incidents are corrected.

Building a Laboratory Safety Training Program

An effective Laboratory Safety Training Program should follow the employee’s work rather than functioning as a single orientation session.

A practical progression is:

General Laboratory Orientation → Chemical Hygiene Plan Training → Hazard-Specific Training → Task and Equipment Training → Supervised Practice → Competency Verification Where Appropriate → Independent Work → Refresher and Retraining

This creates a much stronger safety system than:

Watch one training video → Sign a roster → Begin laboratory work

Training should prepare employees to make safe decisions when conditions change.

Training Employees to Think Beyond the Procedure

One of the most valuable objectives of laboratory training is teaching employees to recognize when something is not normal.

Employees should feel comfortable stopping and asking for help when:

• A chemical looks different than expected.
• An unusual odor appears.
• A fume hood alarm activates.
• Equipment starts vibrating.
• A regulator does not fit.
• A container is bulging.
• Cryogenic equipment has unusual frost.
• A reaction behaves unexpectedly.
• PPE is unavailable.
• An emergency control is out of service.

Training should reinforce that following a written procedure does not mean ignoring a new hazard that develops during the work.

Laboratory Safety Training and Incident Prevention

Incidents, near misses, inspection findings, and employee observations can all identify opportunities for improved training.

For example:

If employees repeatedly leave chemical waste containers open, the issue may be:

• Inadequate training.
• Poorly designed waste containers.
• Confusing procedures.
• Lack of appropriate closed funnels.

If several employees misuse a fume hood, the problem may be broader than the individuals involved.

The laboratory should evaluate whether training, supervision, equipment, or procedures need improvement.

That is where Root Cause Analysis can become valuable.

Laboratory Safety Training and the Chemical Hygiene Plan

For laboratories covered by OSHA’s Laboratory Standard, training should be integrated into the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

The plan should establish:

• Who receives training.
• When training occurs.
• Who provides training.
• Subjects covered.
• Task-specific requirements.
• Refresher expectations.
• Documentation.
• Retraining triggers.
• Competency verification where used.

Training should evolve as the laboratory changes.

A CHP that describes sophisticated controls but leaves employees unable to use them correctly is not an effective safety program.

Need a Laboratory Safety Training Checklist?

Use a Laboratory Safety Training Checklist to document employee orientation, Chemical Hygiene Plan training, chemical hazards, SDSs, labels, fume hoods, PPE, emergency procedures, compressed gases, cryogenics, equipment safety, biological hazards, waste procedures, specialized training, competency verification, and refresher training.