Training
Biosafety Training
Biosafety Program Course Offerings
The Biosafety 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 routinely. Activity and material-specific courses are scheduled and delivered on an as-needed basis.
| COURSE | TARGET AUDIENCE | COURSE ACCESS AND DETAILS |
| Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices | Anyone who will handle any viable biomaterials (as described above) in a lab setting | Self-assignable in Oracle Learn. This course is a prerequisite for completing any other biosafety course. |
| Working Safely with Human-derived Materials | Anyone who with handle human-derived body fluids, cells, tissues, or lentiviral vectors. | Self-assignable in Oracle Learn. This module 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: Risk Assessment Applications for BSL-2 |
Anyone who will be working with biomaterials that require BSL-2 containment. | Delivered live or via online meeting. See below for scheduling information. |
| 2023 Annual Biosafety Refresher | Anyone who is working with biological materials and has previously completed Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices. | Self-assignable in Oracle Learn from January 27, 2023 through April 30, 2023. Labs currently working with human-derived materials are encouraged to complete the newly revised Working Safely with Human-derived Materials course as an acceptable alternative to the 2023 Biosafety Refresher. |
Additionally, each trainee should complete a biosafety orientation training checklist with their lab supervisor when joining a new lab. A copy of this completed record should be maintained by the lab manager/PI.
Biosafety 201: Risk Assessment Applications for BSL-2
This course is intended for anyone who will be working with biomaterials requiring BSL-2 containment practices. (These biomaterials include: agents infectious to humans, animals, or plants; human- or non-human primate-derived cells, body fluids, or unfixed tissues; viral vectors; and toxins of biological origin.)
What will be covered: Agent and procedure-related factors that impact risk, exposure control practice applications based on risk, and proper use of a biosafety cabinet.
Prerequisites: “Biosafety 101: Standard Microbiological Practices” (Oracle Learn or Learning Exchange) AND “Working Safely with Human-derived Materials” (Oracle Learn or Learning Exchange)
This course is delivered in real-time via Zoom from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm on the following upcoming dates:
- Wednesday, February 8, 2023
- Tuesday, February 21, 2023
- Wednesday, March 8, 2023
- Tuesday, March 21, 2023
- Wednesday, April 5, 2023
- Thursday, April 20, 2023
- Wednesday, May 3, 2023
- Thursday, May 25, 2023
- Wednesday, June 7, 2023
- Tuesday, June 20, 2023
- Wednesday, July 12, 2023
- Thursday, July 27, 2023
Request registration for an upcoming course through this link.
Shipping/Transportation Courses
| COURSE | TARGET AUDIENCE | COURSE ACCESS AND DETAILS |
| Dry Ice Shipping Training | Anyone who ships lab reagents on dry ice via an air courier. | Self-assignable in Oracle Learn. 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 prepares regulated medical waste shipping containers and/or signs for waste pickups. | Self-assignable in Oracle Learn. 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. |
Chemical Safety Training
Chemical Safety Course Offerings
Laser Safety Training
Laser Safety Course Offerings
The Vanderbilt Laser Safety Program provides training for both Vanderbilt and non-Vanderbilt persons.
| COURSE | TARGET AUDIENCE | COURSE ACCESS AND DETAILS |
| Laser Safety Training for VU Individuals | Vanderbilt individuals Complete the training if lasers are present in the lab. |
Available through Oracle Learn. Please send certificate of completion to lasersafety@vanderbilt.edu when completed |
| Laser Safety Training for Non-VU Persons | Non-Vanderbilt individuals Complete the training if lasers are present in the lab. |
Available through RedCap link |
Radiation Safety Training
Radiation Safety Course Offerings
Training for visitors and other non-VU persons in research labs
Chemical Safety & Fire Safety
| COURSE | TARGET AUDIENCE | COURSE ACCESS AND DETAILS |
| View Chemical and Physical Safety in the Laboratory Training | Non-Vanderbilt individuals. Complete the training if chemical hazards are present in the lab. |
View the course at the link in the first column then take the post-test. Take Post-Test |
| View Chemical Waste Training for Labs Training | Non-Vanderbilt individuals. Complete the training if chemical hazards are present in the lab. |
View the course at the link in the first column then take the post-test. Take Post-Test |
| View VU Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness Training | Non-Vanderbilt individuals. Vanderbilt fire safety course. |
View the course at the link in the first column and then take the post-test. Take Post-Test |
Laser Safety
| COURSE | TARGET AUDIENCE | COURSE ACCESS AND DETAILS |
| Laser Safety Training for Non-VU Persons | Non-Vanderbilt individuals. Complete the training if lasers are present in the lab. |
Available through RedCap link in the first column. |