Getting Started At UCI

Welcome to UCI! The Office of Environmental Health & Safety supports the campus community by providing services and trainings to minimize risk in work environments and promote a culture of safety.

Getting started in a new school, laboratory, shop, or workplace can be an overwhelming experience. This EHS resource is available to help guide all new personnel on what to expect and who to contact in EHS based on the hazards in your work area(s).

Contact your EHS School Coordinator for questions or additional information. 

Faculty

FACULTY

New faculty researchers with assigned laboratory or research area(s) that may contain hazardous or potentially hazardous materials or processes are designated as Principal Investigators (PI). The EHS Coordinators work closely with PIs to set-up their area(s) to ensure regulatory compliance.

PIs are required to complete the following: 

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (3 year)
Step 2: Principal Investigator Orientation within 2 weeks of start date
  1. Review  PI Safety Responsibilities video
  2. Contact EHS School Coordinator to complete New Principal Investigator Orientation
  3. Review and sign PI research safety checklist
  4. Create Laboratory Hazard Assessment (LHAT)
  5. Obtain Personal Protective Equipment

Step 3: Laboratory-Specific Research Requirements

Specialized research require additional trainings and institutional authorization(s).

Animals

  1. Submit Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee application
  2. Enroll in Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program (LAOHP)
  3. Complete required Lab Animal Use Trainings
  4. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Biological Material

  1. Submit Institutional Biosafety Committee application
  2. Complete “Bloodborne Pathogens” training and/or any additional required UCLC trainings based on biosafety review
  3. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Radioactive Material

  1. Submit Radiation Use Authorization
  2. Complete applicable “Radiation Safety” and/or “Radiation Producing Machines" trainings and/or additional required UCLC trainings

Controlled Substances

  1. Submit Controlled Substances (CSUA) application
  2. Complete ”Controlled Substances” training on UCLC

Human Research

  1. Submit Institutional Review Board (IRB) application
  2. Complete human research trainings on CITI

Field Research

  1. Review Field Safety webpage
  2. Complete UCI Field Safety Plan
  3. Review UCI Scientific Dive and Boating Safety (if applicable)

Step 4: Laboratory/Research Set-up Consultation

  1. EHS consultation(s) will be determined based on the hazards in your area(s). Contact your EHS Coordinator.

Step 5: Laboratory Safety Inspection to be completed within 6 months of start of research

New faculty in assigned area(s) that do not contain hazardous materials or processes are required to complete:

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date
  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Safety Fundamentals (SF) (3 year)

Step 2: Work-specific Trainings assigned by STSA and Supervisor based on the specific hazards in your work area(s).

Faculty who work in assigned area(s) that contain hazardous materials or processes, including teaching laboratories, even if not working directly with hazardous materials, are required to complete:

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date
  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (3 year)

Step 2: Work-specific trainings

Assigned based on the specific hazards in your work area(s) by STSA and Supervisor. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Material Incidents may be required in your area(s).;

Step 3: Hazard Assessment

Create or be added to an existing Laboratory Hazard Assessment for area(s)

Step 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Obtain applicable PPE based on your hazard assessment.

Step 5: Institutional Protocols (if applicable)

Faculty performing specific research must obtain applicable institutional authorizations.
Human researchers must submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application and complete human research trainings.

For questions, please contact your EHS School Coordinator.

Staff

STAFF

New staff researchers joining Principal Investigator(s) research area(s) that may contain hazardous or potentially hazardous materials or processes are designated laboratory workers. Researchers that are designated by their Principal Investigator (PI) as the Safety Representative (SR) for the laboratory should contact their EHS Coordinator to complete Laboratory Safety Representative orientation. The PI and/or SR will add you to any applicable systems and institutional applications.

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (3 year)
  3. Hazardous Waste (once)
  4. Hazardous Material Incidents Emergency Procedures (annual)

Step 2: New Lab Worker Site Specific Safety Training Checklist prior to starting work in the laboratory

Step 3: Review Laboratory Hazard Assessment (LHAT) prior to starting work in the laboratory

Step 4: Obtain Personal Protective Equipment

Step 5: Laboratory-Specific Research Requirements

Specialized research require additional trainings and institutional authorization(s).

Animals

  1. Add to current Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee application
  2. Enroll in Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program (LAOHP)
  3. Complete required Lab Animal Use Trainings
  4. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Biological Material

  1. Add to current Institutional Biosafety Committee application
  2. Complete “Bloodborne Pathogens” training and/or additional required UCLC trainings based on biosafety review
  3. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Controlled Substances

  1. Add to Controlled Substances (CSUA) application
    Complete ”Controlled Substances” training on UCLC

Field Research

  1. Review Field Safety webpage
  2. Complete UCI Field Safety Plan
  3. Review UCI Scientific Dive and Boating Safety (if applicable)

Human Research

  1. Add to Institutional Review Board (IRB) application
  2. Complete human research trainings on CITI

Radioactive Material

  1. Add to Radiation Use Authorization
  2. Complete applicable “Radiation Safety” and/or “Radiation Producing Machines” trainings and/or additional required UCLC trainings

New staff in assigned area(s) that do not contain hazardous materials or processes are required to complete:

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Safety Fundamentals (SF) (3 year)

Step 2: Work-specific Trainings assigned by STSA and Supervisor based on the specific hazards in your work area(s).

Staff who work in assigned area(s) that contain hazardous materials or processes, including teaching laboratories, even if not working directly with hazardous materials, are required to complete:

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (3 year)

Step 2: Work-specific trainings

Assigned based on the specific hazards in your work area(s) by STSA and Supervisor. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Material Incidents may be required in your area(s).

Step 3: Hazard Assessment

Create or be added to an existing Laboratory Hazard Assessment for area(s)

Step 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Obtain applicable PPE based on your hazard assessment.

Step 5: Institutional Protocols (if applicable)

Faculty performing specific research must obtain applicable institutional authorizations.
Staff performing human research must submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application and complete human research trainings.

For questions, please contact your EHS School Coordinator.

Students

STUDENTS

New graduate student researchers that work in research area(s) that may contain hazardous or potentially hazardous materials are designated laboratory workers. Researchers that are designated by their Principal Investigator (PI) as the Safety Representative (SR) for the laboratory should contact their EHS School Coordinator to complete Laboratory Safety Representative orientation. The PI and/or SR will add you to any applicable systems and institutional applications.

Step 1: TANGO to Safety
Teaching assistant & new graduate student orientation (TANGO) is required for all new teaching assistants, graduate and masters students to prepare them for their roles at UC Irvine.

Step 2: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (3 year)
  3. Hazardous Waste (once)
  4. Hazardous Material Incidents Emergency Procedures (annual)

Step 3: New Lab Worker Site Specific Safety Training Checklist prior to starting work in the laboratory

Step 4: Review Laboratory Hazard Assessment(LHAT) prior to starting work in the laboratory

Step 5: Obtain additional Personal Protective Equipment based on laboratory

Step 6: Laboratory-Specific Research Requirements
Specialized research require additional trainings and institutional authorization(s).

Animals

  1. Add to current Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee application
  2. Enroll in Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program (LAOHP)
  3. Complete required Lab Animal Use Trainings
  4. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Biological Material

  1. Add to current Institutional Biosafety Committee application
  2. Complete “Bloodborne Pathogens” training and/or additional required UCLC trainings based on biosafety review
  3. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Controlled Substances

  1. Add to Controlled Substances (CSUA) application
  2. Complete ”Controlled Substances” training on UCLC

Field Research

  1. Review Field Safety webpage
  2. Complete UCI Field Safety Plan
  3. Review UCI Scientific Dive and Boating Safety (if applicable)

Human Research

  1. Add to Institutional Review Board (IRB) application
  2. Complete human research trainings on CITI

Radioactive Material

  1. Add to Radiation Use Authorization
  2. Complete applicable “Radiation Safety” and/or “Radiation Producing Machines” trainings and/or additional required UCLC trainings

New graduate students in assigned area(s) that do not contain hazardous materials or processes are required to complete:

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Safety Fundamentals (SF) (3 year)

Step 2: Work-specific Trainings assigned by STSA and Supervisor based on the specific hazards in your work area(s).

TANGO to Safety

Teaching assistant & new graduate student orientation (TANGO) is required for all new teaching assistants, graduate and masters students to prepare them for their roles at UC Irvine.

Graduate students who work in assigned area(s) that contain hazardous materials or processes, including teaching laboratories, even if not working directly with hazardous materials, are required to complete:

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of start date

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (3 year)

Step 2: Work-specific trainings

Assigned based on the specific hazards in your work area(s) by STSA and Supervisor.Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Material Incidents may be required in your area(s).

Step 3: Hazard Assessment

C reate or be added to an existing Laboratory Hazard Assessment area(s)

Step 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Obtain applicable PPE based on your hazard assessment

Step 5: Institutional Protocols (if applicable)

Graduate students performing specific research must obtain applicable institutional authorizations. Human researchers must submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application and complete human research trainings.

For questions, please contact your EHS School Coordinator.

New undergraduate students will be required to complete trainings based on their school curriculum.

Undergraduate researchers joining Principal Investigator(s) research area(s) that may contain hazardous or potentially hazardous materials or processes are designated laboratory workers. The PI and/or SR will add you to any applicable systems and institutional applications.

Step 1: Minimum Required Training(s) on UCLC within 2 weeks of starting in the laboratory

  1. Safety Training Self-Assessment (STSA) (3 year)

    Please make sure that “Laboratory Safety Fundamentals” is listed under “Your Required Safety Training” on the final page of the STSA before you submit your selections. If you don’t see it listed there, click the “Modify Selections” button to make sure you have selected all the correct work activities that you perform.

  2. Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) (annual)
  3. Hazardous Waste (once)
  4. Hazardous Material Incidents Emergency Procedures (annual)

Step 2: New Lab Worker Site Specific Safety Training Checklist prior to starting work in the laboratory

Step 3: Review Laboratory Hazard Assessment (LHAT) prior to starting work in the laboratory

Step 4: Obtain Personal Protective Equipment

Step 5: Laboratory-Specific Research Requirements

Specialized research require additional trainings and institutional authorization(s).

Animals

  1. Add to current Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee application
  2. Enroll in Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program (LAOHP)
  3. Complete required Lab Animal Use Trainings
  4. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Biological Material (undergrads must have additional authorization)

  1. Add to current Institutional Biosafety Committee application
  2. Complete “Bloodborne Pathogens” training and/or additional required UCLC trainings based on biosafety review
  3. Obtain respirator (if applicable)

Controlled Substances (undergrads must have prior authorization)

  1. Add to Controlled Substances (CSUA) application
  2. Complete ”Controlled Substances” training on UCLC

Field Research

  1. Review Field Safety webpage
  2. Complete UCI Field Safety Plan
  3. Review UCI Scientific Dive and Boating Safety (if applicable)

Human Research

  1. Add to Institutional Review Board (IRB) application
  2. Complete human research trainings on CITI

Radioactive Material (undergrads must have prior authorization)

  1. Add to Radiation Use Authorization
  2. Complete applicable “Radiation Safety” and/or “Radiation Producing Machines” trainings and/or additional required UCLC trainings

Step 6: Hands-on Laboratory Site-Specific Training by laboratory