The office of Environmental Health & Safety provides training to UC Merced staff, faculty, and students in a variety of safety topics. Many of our courses are held on a regular, rotating basis, some are seasonal, depending on specialized needs or are presented as part of an ongoing series within a division, such as Central Plant. Other courses are arranged on an individual basis, or can be presented specifically for a department depending on the number of trainees and availability of EH&S staff. We also have a selection of video tapes available which may either augment or complete your training program.

EH&S is pleased to offer the following safety training courses:

Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP): Cal-OSHA requires every employer to have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program in place. The University of California, Merced has implemented a campus level IIPP program to ensure a safe and healthful work environment for its employees. The IIPP is the umbrella under which all employee health and safety programs are implemented and provides a framework for identifying and correcting workplace hazards.  This session is required for all UC Merced employees.

Introduction to Laboratory Safety: Laboratories can be the source of a variety of safety concerns from harmful chemicals to electricity and other physical hazards. This session will focus on general laboratory safety including chemical handling and storage, hazardous waste disposal and PPE selection.  This session is required for all employees who work in a laboratory

Principles of Biosafety: What are biohazards and how do you work safely with them? These questions and many more will be answered in this session. Topics include selection of PPE, biohazardous waste disposal, and explanation of biosafety levels.
This session is required annually for all employees who work in at Biosafety level 2 or above.

Radiation Safety: This course is designed for individuals who work with radioactive materials in a laboratory environment. Discussion topics include types of radiation and associated hazards, shielding requirements, license conditions, inventory, and exposure limits.
This session is required annually for all employees who work with radioactive materials.

Laser Safety: Lasers are unique in their safety hazards, particularly with respect to instant and permanent damage to vision. This session will focus on basic laser safety issues. Topics will include types of lasers, direct and auxiliary hazards, and control measures.
This session is required annually for all employees who work with lasers.

Blood Borne Pathogens: In this course students will be introduced to different types of bloodborne pathogens, transmission routes and preventative strategies, and procedures to follow in cases of exposure.
This session is required annually for all employees who can reasonably anticipate facing contact with blood and/or other potentially infectious materials as part of their job duties.

Flammable Liquids: This session focuses on the hazards and safe handling of flammable liquids. Topics include: definitions for flammable and combustible liquids, flash point, auto ignition temperature, etc. The fire triangle and vapor character/behavior is discussed as well as proper handling and emergency procedures.

Spill Response: Chemical spills in laboratories are largely preventable. In the event of a spill, there are some basic and necessary steps to be taken to help ensure the safety of your self (First Priority) and others. Spill containment, clean up, decontamination, notifications and prevention will be discussed.

Use of Fume Hoods: Laboratory fume hoods are an excellent and effective means of controlling vapors and gases to reduced exposures to lab workers. This session will discuss local exhaust, fume hood design & testing, proper use and limitations.

Toxicology: All chemicals are toxic. What distinguishes one exposure from another is the Dose! This session will present the basic concepts of toxicology. In addition to dose, dose-response, routes of exposure, metabolism, acute vs. chronic effects, etc. will be discussed. In addition, the concept of hazard versus risk will be discussed.

Hazardous Waste: The improper management and handling of hazardous waste can create many regulatory and personal safety issues. This course is intended for all UC Merced employees who generate, handle or manage an area where hazardous wastes are generated. Topics will include chemical, radioactive, and universal waste, labeling, segregation, and regulatory compliance.

Elevated Work/Fall Protection: Many people are killed or injured every year in construction or maintenance related falls. This session is intended for maintenance and construction workers who work at elevations greater than 7 feet. Topics include: determining when fall protection is required, types of fall protection, and use of personal fall restraint systems.