Maintaining a safe work environment is the highest priority in the MAL.
Safety Policy Summary:
Researchers must complete 1 or 2 online safety courses prior to working in the MAL (see below). While working in the lab, researchers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Generally, this includes nitrile gloves, a lab coat, and safety glasses/goggles. Additional PPE may be required for certain activities. Compliance is mandatory.
Gloves are provided by the MAL. Most researchers use their personal safety glasses and lab coats, but the MAL can provide communal PPE. Click here for more information on PPE from EHS.
[The following is excerpted and modified from source...]
Laboratory safety training is required at the time of initial work in the lab and when new hazards or processes are introduced. Training is required for PIs, UCSC researchers, visiting researchers, and any other personnel working in the laboratory. Training must include physical and health hazards in the work area, along with applicable exposure control measures.
In accordance with the UC Office of the President Lab Safety Training Policy, all researchers must complete approved comprehensive lab safety training every three years. This lab safety training is currently only offered as an on-line course, "Laboratory Safety Fundamentals." This course can be accessed through the UC Learning Center. Note that students will need to complete and submit the form under the "Students and Affiliates" section on the Learning Center home page to obtain access to the course. Visiting researchers and other UCSC affiliates will need to obtain a UCSC Sundry account before accessing the training system. In some case, reciprocity may be granted if you have recently completed an equivalent course elsewhere.
In addition to Lab Safety Fundamentals, users of instruments or equipment that generate hazardous waste must also complete the course entitled "Hazardous Waste Management". Lab staff manage the collection and disposal of all hazardous wastes, but there may be occasions when that is not possible. Instruments that generate hazardous waste in the MAL include:
Users of these instruments must 1) monitor the generation of hazardous wastes and 2) know how to properly dispose of hazardous wastes.
