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This online version is for convenience; the official version of this policy is housed in the University Secretariat. In case of discrepancy between the online version and the official version held by the Secretariat, the official version shall prevail.

Approved By: President

Original Approval Date: March 28, 2007

Date of Most Recent Review/Revision: January 23, 2017

Office of Accountability: Office of the Vice-President: Finance and Administration

Administrative Responsibility: Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management

Purpose

1.0 The policy is designed to protect faculty, staff, students and visitors, when working in laboratories at Wilfrid Laurier University and to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

Definitions

2.00 Laboratory

A laboratory is a workplace where hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive substances are used for the purposes or scientific research, experimentation, analysis or teaching. A computer laboratory does not fall within the scope of this definition.

Jurisdiction/Scope

3.00 The policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors conducting activities in laboratories at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Policy

4.01 Management of Laboratory Risks

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to manage and control risks involved in research and teaching activities taking place in laboratories. A laboratory may contain numerous potential hazards which
include but are not limited to corrosive, flammable, reactive and toxic substances; biological hazards; radioactive hazards; cryogens; pressure and vacuum systems; glassware; electrical hazards; mechanical hazards; and other physical hazards. Faculty, staff, students and visitors working in laboratories are responsible for ensuring hazards within laboratories are controlled.

4.02 Laboratory Safety Manual

The Laboratory Safety Manual provides information on health and safety policies and procedures and serves to define minimum standards for safe practices in the university’s research and teaching laboratories. Faculty, staff, students and visitors working in laboratories must be familiar with and follow the procedures outlined in the manual. The contents of the manual are based upon legislative
requirement and best practices.

4.03 Waste Disposal

Waste generated in the course of laboratory activities must be disposed of safely in compliance with relevant legislation.

Relevant Legislation

• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Designated Substances Regulation
• Waste Management Regulation
• Hazardous Products Act

Related Polices, Procedures and Documents

• Laurier’s Laboratory Safety Manual