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7.16 Laboratory Safety
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: June 7, 2022
Office of Accountability: Office of the Vice-President: Finance and Administration
Administrative Responsibility: Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management
1.00 Purpose
1.01 The policy is designed to protect Members of the University Community and visitors, when working in Laboratories at Wilfrid Laurier University and to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
2.00 Definitions
2.01 Laboratory: a workplace where hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive substances are used for the purposes of scientific research, experimentation, analysis or teaching. A computer laboratory does not fall within the scope of this definition.
2.02 Members of the University Community: persons who currently work or study (in person or online) on any Laurier campus. Members include students (including student groups), employees, adjunct and visiting faculty, and volunteers at Laurier.
2.03 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. The contents of the manual are based upon legislative requirement and best practices.
3.00 Jurisdiction/Scope
3.01 The policy applies to all Members of the University Community and visitors conducting activities in laboratories at Wilfrid Laurier University.
4.00 Policy
4.01 Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to managing and controlling 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.
4.02 Members of the University Community and visitors working in Laboratories are responsible for ensuring hazards within Laboratories are controlled.
4.03 Members of the University Community and visitors working in Laboratories must be familiar with and follow the procedures outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual. The faculty Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring compliance with by all lab users with these procedures.
4.04 Waste generated in the course of Laboratory activities must be disposed of safely in compliance with relevant legislation and University policies.
Relevant Legislation
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Designated Substances Regulation
- Waste Management Regulation
- Hazardous Products Act
- Transport of Dangerous Goods Act