Safety Training

Research and Laboratory Safety (RLS) provides in-person and annual refresher training to NYU Students, Staff and Faculty, as required by local, state or federal law. Below is a list of scheduled in-person training sessions. Descriptions of the training follows the listing.

NOTE: RLS has cancelled the scheduled in-person training until further notice. Until that time, Introduction to Lab Safety, Hazardous Waste, Bloodborne Pathogens, and IATA Shipping training is available online through Zoom session and the BioRAFT platform.

To complete an introduction training course through Zoom:

Log into BioRAFT
Navigate to the annoucement section
Once there, locate the appropriate date
Within this annoucement you will locate the registration link

To complete a training course in BioRAFT:

Log into BioRAFT
Click on "Training" in the left side menu
Cick on "Course Directory"
Choose a course (e.g. Initial Hazardous Waste or Annual Refrsher Hazardous Waste) and select “Launch Course”

Each introduction course is valid for 1 year. The "annual refresher" course is taken through BioRAFT every year after the expiration of the introduction course.

NOTE: When completing a training course in BioRAFT, exit the course through the upper right hand exit button, and select the NEXT button on the orginal screen. In order for BioRAFT to document the training as completed, the NEXT button must be selected.

Please review the "Next Button Quick Guide" (PDF: 456 KB) before completing a course.

Please email RLS should you have any questions.

For training regarding physical hazards more information can be found on the EHS training page.

Upcoming Training Events

Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) training is designed to provide employees with the skills to recognize potentially infectious materials and the pathogens that could potentially be transmitted through these materials. This training is required for any employee or individual, such as a NYU student or volunteer who performs functions of an employee, who, in their day-to-day activities, is reasonably expected to come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. It is an annual training requirement.

In addition to the scheduled training sessions, RLS offers BBP training to various schools and divisions as requested. Please contact us at rls@nyu.edu if you are in need of Bloodborne Pathogens training. Refresher training is available via BioRAFT if you have participated in an instructor-led session in the past.

For further information on Bloodborne Pathogens, please review NYU's Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Written Program.

Controlled Substances

This training is designed to provide an understanding of the use and responsibilities of maintaining a controlled substance program at NYU. This training is required for anyone who is working directly with controlled substances in their day-to-day activities. The training must be completed before working with any controlled substance and is required every two years for those continuing to work with contolled substances.

The training is available online only and covers the following topics:

Steps to start a controlled substance program at NYU
New York State License procedure and requirements
License and Registration Renewals
Responsibilies of personnel within the program
Explanations of the 5 classes of Schedules
Proper security measures requirements
Important NYS, DEA, and NYU Forms to use
Controlled Substances Recordkeeping and Record Retention
Personnel Background Checks
Ordering and Receiving controlled substances
Proper disposal procedures
Spill and Thefts
Audits and Inspections

This training is based off of the requirements of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (NYSDOH BNE) along with procedures set forth in the New York University Controlled Substances Use and Disposal Policy.

Formaldehyde

This training is designed to provide employees with an understanding of the hazards of formaldehyde and the skills to prevent or limit exposure. It is required for any employee that works in an area where there is potential for exposure to formaldehyde. The course can be completed online via BioRAFT

IATA Training (Shipping and Receiving Biological Materials)

Anyone shipping or receiving potentially hazardous materials such as: infectious substances, diagnostic specimens, genetically modified microorganisms, potentially hazardous biological materials, and/or dry ice, is required to have International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) training in the general requirements of the regulations. This training must be repeated every two years as long as you are shipping and receiving such materials.

IBC Compliance Awareness Training

All PI's listed on an active IBC protocol and all individuals listed on an active IBC protocol involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids or biological materials are required to complete the online IBC Compliance Training and Quiz before engaging in any protocol activities and at the time of three-year renewal before continuing to engage in the protocol activities. The course is delivered via BioRAFT.

Introduction to Certificate of Fitness (C-14)

This training covers supervising Non-Production Chemical Laboratories. A permit is required to store, handle, or use hazardous materials in a laboratory unit in quantities exceeding 1 gallon (3.8 L) of flammable liquid, 1 gallon (3.8 L) of combustible liquid or 75 SCF (2.12 m3) of flammable gas. Non-production laboratory operations requiring a permit must be under the personal supervision of a certificate of fitness holder. Please use this NYFD Study Guide (PDF: 3MB) for the exam. The course is delivered via BioRAFT.

Laboratory Safety

This training covers the OSHA Lab Standard, the NYU Chemical Hygiene Plan, hazard identification, labels and SDS's, chemical storage and handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), toxicology and risk assessment, hazardous waste, waste minimization, spill procedures. It is required for any individual who works in a laboratory and must be attended when that individual first begins work in the lab.

Refresher training is available via BioRAFT if you have participated in an instructor-led session in the past.

Non-Ionizing Radiation

This training covers the biological effects of non-ionizing radiation, Laser classification/regulations, and hazards and control measures for non-ionizing radiation sources. It is required for any employee that works around lasers, microwave (excludes ovens), infrared or ultraviolet radiation sources. This course is being offered online via BioRAFT

Radiation Safety

The course provides an overview of the University’s radiation safety program for new users of radioactive materials used in the laboratory to satisfy State requirements. It is required if you are using radioactive materials. Topics covered in this course include: a general overview of applicable State/Federal regulations pertaining to the use of radioactive materials at the University, sources of radiation, types of and characteristics of ionizing radiation, units of measuring ionizing radiation, ways to measure radiation, radiation safety surveys, and the purchase and receipt of radioactive materials for laboratory use. The course can be taken online via BioRAFT.

Safety in the Arts

In recent years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have realized that artists work with many potentially hazardous materials and that, if mishandled or incorrectly disposed, these materials may be potentially hazardous to the individuals working with the materials and to the environment. RLS is offering Safety in the Arts training which includes Hazard Communication and Hazardous Waste training.

This training is designed to specifically address the chemicals used by employees and students in the Art Departments and how to properly dispose of the chemicals. Contact RLS@nyu.edu for more information.