Training
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Lab Safety Training for VU persons
BioLOGICAL safety Training
Biological Safety Program Course Offerings
The Biological Safety Program provides several courses to support all individuals who will work with (or around) biological materials such as microbiological agents, animal or human-derived body fluids or tissues, environmental samples, recombinant DNA, toxins of biological origin or any waste items contaminated with such biomaterials. Below is a summary of courses offered in the Learning Hub or routinely in-person in a variety of delivery methods. Activity and material-specific courses are scheduled on an as-needed basis.
| Course Name | Target Audience | Course Access and Details |
| Know Your Responsibilities: Biomaterials Safety Standards for New Principal Investigators | New Principal Investigators working with biomaterials; anyone in a life science research compliance or lab support role. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Note: This course requires 1.5 hours to complete. However, progress is saved so completion in one sitting is not required. |
| Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices | Anyone who will handle any viable biomaterials (as described above) in a lab setting. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. This course is a prerequisite for completing any other biosafety course. |
| Working Safely with Human-derived Materials | Anyone who will handle human-derived body fluids, cells, tissues, or lentiviral vectors. | Self-assignable the Learning Hub. Click here. This module includes core principles that apply to work with infectious agents; thus, this course is a prerequisite for completing Biosafety 201: BSL-2 Principles. |
| Biosafety 201: BSL-2 Principles | Anyone who will be working with biomaterials that require BSL-2 containment. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. This course contains advanced topics that build off the prerequisite courses mentioned above. Key topics include biological safety cabinet operation and spill prevention and preparedness. |
| 2025 Biosafety Refresher for Vanderbilt Researchers | Anyone who is: (1) working with biological materials in a research lab setting, as well as persons who supervise those carrying out these activities (including PIs), and (2) has completed at least one biosafety-related course at Vanderbilt University in the last 3 years. | Self-Assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Required annual biosafety refresher that features biological materials exposure response actions, biohazardous waste collection and handling practices, sharps exposure reduction, and biosafety cabinet use and maintenance tips. This course also satisfies annual compliance requirements for those who are working with human-derived materials in a lab setting and have previously completed Working Safely with Human-derived Materials |
| Dry Ice Shipping Training | Anyone who ships lab reagents on dry ice via an air courier. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. When shipped by air, dry ice is regulated as a Dangerous Good and the shipper must be currently certified for shipping these materials; upon completion of the course and quiz, VU Biosafety will provide a USDOT-compliant certificate to the trainee. |
| Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Shipping Training for Lab Researchers | Anyone who works in a research lab located in a VU building (i.e., MRB III, Stevenson Center, Keck-FEL, Olin or ESB) and will prepare regulated medical waste shipping containers and/or sign for RMW pickups. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Intended for those who work in VU labs located in VU buildings where RMW pickups occur; upon completion of the course and quiz, VU Biosafety will provide a USDOT-compliant certificate to the trainee. |
Lab-Specific Training and Qualification for Biomaterials Activities
In addition to completing the appropriate institutional biosafety courses, each lab member should complete and document lab-specific training and qualification with their supervisor regardless of the biosafety level or duration of lab assignment. Checklists for this purpose are provided at links below:
- Biosafety Orientation Checklist – New Lab Member (for those joining a lab for an extended duration)
- Biosafety Orientation Checklist – Temporary Lab Member (for rotating students and visiting scientists)
A copy of this completed record (and all institutional biosafety training records) should be maintained by the lab manager/PI with the lab’s safety manual.
Chemical and physical Safety Training
Chemical and Physical Safety Course Offerings
The Chemical Safety Program provides a wide range of safety training options to help ensure your safety and health in research and teaching labs. Below is a summary of the online and in-person training courses available to VU students, employees and required for all VU individuals in research and teaching labs using chemicals and that have physical hazards.
| Course Name | Target Audience | Course Access and Details | Frequency |
| Initial Chemical and Physical Safety for Research Labs | Vanderbilt individuals who operate within a physical laboratory in which they may encounter hazardous materials or equipment. This training applies to paid and unpaid (volunteers) conducting activities in the labs. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Training on the hazards (chemical, physical, etc.) encountered in the work area. Training on proper waste management within laboratory. Includes initial lab safety for PIs & Researchers, TA’s & Instructors, anatomy and physiology lab. |
Initial |
| Refresher for Chemical and Physical Safety Training for Research Labs | Anyone who has previously completed the Initial Chemical and Physical Safety for Research Labs and Vanderbilt individuals who operate within a physical laboratory in which they may encounter hazardous materials or equipment. This training applies to paid and unpaid individuals including volunteers and visitors conducting activities in the labs. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Training on the hazards (chemical, physical, etc.) encountered in the work area. Training on proper waste management within laboratory. Refresher for PIs & Researchers, TA’s & Instructors, anatomy and physiology lab. |
Annually |
| Working with Dichloromethane (DCM) / Methylene Chloride (MC) | This training is required by the EPA for those working with dichloromethane (DCM) / methylene chloride (MC) in a laboratory setting. This training can satisfy refresher training requirements ONLY if you work with DCM and you have already completed the Initial Chemical and Physical Safety for Research Labs module (see above) | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Training for EPA’s dichloromethane (DCM) regulation including the Workplace Chemical Protection Plan (WCPP), Exposure Control Plan (ECP), hazards of DCM, proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency procedures. |
As needed |
| Chemical and Physical Safety for Studio Arts | Vanderbilt individuals who learn or work in an arts or studio environment where the majority of chemicals used are coatings, inks, lacquers, varnishes, glues, and photographic chemicals. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Training on chemical toxicity, risk identification and hazard minimization, exposure control, safety tips, hazardous waste collection, fire and life safety, and emergency response. |
Every 3 years |
| Chemical and Physical Safety for VSVS | Vanderbilt individuals who volunteer with Vanderbilt Students Volunteers for Science. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Training on risk methodology, types of hazards, exposure control, health hazards, hazardous waste management, emergency response, spills, and more. |
Every academic year for volunteers |
| Mechanical and Electrical Lab Safety | Vanderbilt individuals who learn or work in labs where primary hazards are mechanical or electrical will learn how to recognize and mitigate these types of hazards and how to respond in an emergency. | Self-assignable in the Learning Hub. Click here. Training on risk identification, mechanical and electrical equipment used in labs and their hazards, safety rules, hazard communication, exposure control, personal protective equipment ( PPE), and emergency procedures. |
Every 3 years |
Laser Safety Training
| Course Name | Target Audience | Course Access and Details |
| VU Laser Safety Video Training | Vanderbilt individuals should complete this training if lasers are present in the lab. | Available through the Learning Hub. Click here. Please send certificate of completion to lasersafety@vanderbilt.edu when completed |
Radiation Safety Training
Currently, the VUMC Office of Clinical and Research Safety is providing all radiation safety related trainings. Please follow the links below to the appropriate training.
- Radiation Safety Training Materials (VUMC OCRS)
- Annual Radiation Safety Training for Research Laboratories
Please email radsafety@vumc.org with any questions about radiation or X-ray safety training.
Lab Safety Training for Non-VU persons
Individuals without VUNetIDs who are not yet VU faculty, staff, postdocs, students or long-term visiting researchers are still required to complete applicable safety trainings BEFORE working or visiting the lab. Ask your Vanderbilt contact which trainings are required and complete them before you visit or work in the lab. However if you have a VUNetID and can access Vanderbilt’s Learning Hub, you should complete your required trainings in the Learning Hub system and not through this RedCap system. Email ehs@vanderbilt.edu with any questions.
For the training courses below, complete the Non-VU Person’s Training RedCap, https://redcap.link/Training_for_non-VU_persons_in_research.
Once you have determined which trainings are applicable to you, view the training videos, download any resource packs, and complete the review questions for each module. When you have completed the training and review questions, a completion certificate will be emailed to the email address you provided. You then need to provide the certifications to your Vanderbilt supervisor/sponsor.
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY TRAINING
| Course Name | Target Audience | Course Access and Details |
| Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices | Non-Vanderbilt individuals and anyone who will handle (or be around) biological materials such as microbiological agents, animal or human-derived body fluids or tissues, environmental samples, recombinant DNA, toxins of biological origin or any waste items contaminated with such biomaterials in a lab setting. | This course is a prerequisite for completing any other biosafety course such as “Working Safely with Human-Derived Materials” |
| Working Safely with Human-Derived Materials | Non-Vanderbilt individuals and anyone who will handle human-derived body fluids, cells, tissues, or lentiviral vectors. | Prerequisite: Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices This training should not be completed outside of business hours and includes core principles that apply to work with infectious agents; thus, this course is a prerequisite for completing “Biosafety 201: Risk Assessment Applications for BSL-2” |
| Biosafety 201: BSL-2 Principles | Non-Vanderbilt individuals and anyone who will be working with biomaterials that require BSL-2 containment. | Prerequisite: Working Safely with Human-Derived Materials This course contains advanced topics that build off the prerequisite courses mentioned above. Key topics include biological safety cabinet operation and spill prevention and preparedness. |
Additionally, each trainee should complete the biosafety orientation training checklist for temporary lab members with their lab supervisor when joining a new lab. A copy of this completed record should be maintained by the lab manager/PI.
Chemical and physical Safety TRAINING
| Course Name | Target Audience | Course Access and Details |
| Chemical and Physical Safety for Research Labs | Non-Vanderbilt individuals who operate within a physical laboratory in which they may encounter hazardous materials or equipment. This training applies to paid and unpaid (volunteers) conducting activities in the labs. | Training on the hazards (chemical, physical, etc.) encountered in the work area. Training on proper waste management within laboratory. Includes initial lab safety, refresher for PIs & Researchers, refresher for TA’s & Instructors, anatomy and physiology lab. |
Laser Safety TRAINING
| Course Name | Target Audience | Course Access and Details |
| VU Laser Safety Video Training | Non-Vanderbilt individuals. | Complete the training if lasers are present in the lab. |
Radiation Safety Training
Currently, the VUMC Office of Clinical and Research Safety is providing all radiation safety related trainings. Please follow the links below to the appropriate training.
Please email radsafety@vumc.org with any questions about radiation or X-ray safety training.
Awareness Training for Lab Visitors including Minors
- Safety Guidelines for Demonstrations and Learning Activities in Research Labs
- Minors In Research Labs with Increased Risk