Safety Training in a Research Area

Assuming that most research is conducted in a laboratory setting, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created a safety standard that they advise following in any laboratory setting.

Laboratory Standard

• The "laboratory standard," as created by OSHA, requires laboratories to create a chemical hygiene plan in case of chemical contact emergencies. Since a variety of chemicals and other hazardous materials can be found in a research facility, it is vital that employees, researchers and students are trained in how to follow the chemical hygiene plan.

Training Components

• While each lab's safety plan may vary slightly, the primary components remain the same: personal protective equipment and its uses, hazardous and toxic substances and potential occupational hazards.

Training Methods

• In some instances, like at a university, researchers and students are trained by staff on-site, or a private company might come in to provide the training, using training pamphlets, textbooks, videos and tutorials.

Guest Researcher Training

• Even researchers who have completed a training session in their home laboratory or research areas could be asked to take an additional training course when visiting another laboratory. The exam could be based on specific materials or methods used in that lab or any pertinent topics.