Academic Safety Programs
The Safety Program for Teaching Labs provides guidelines and support for the safety and health of students (undergraduate and graduate), teaching/research assistants (TAs/RAs), lecturers, faculty and staff associated with the teaching labs and experiential learning spaces at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Best Practice
Students in UT Dallas labs and experiential learning spaces will participate in many activities requiring the use of hazardous materials and equipment. Safety is the top priority for all of those involved in a lab. To ensure a safe work environment, everyone associated with a lab should follow best practices at all times. Reference the below information for best practices.
Training
Enrolled Students
Students enrolled in a course with a lab component have the right to be aware of the hazards associated with their coursework and must be properly trained in safe lab practices to protect them from such hazards.
It is the responsibility of the course instructor to determine what safety information needs to be conveyed and the best way to relay that information. Instructors may contact the Safety team, 972-883-7200, if desired. Records of student training must be maintained by the instructor.
Subjects students may need training on can include, but are not limited to:
- Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Hierarchy of Controls
- Equipment use and safety
- Emergency procedures
- Waste management
- Chemical safety
- Biological safety
- Electrical safety
- Shop safety
Teaching/Research Assistants
Teaching/research assistants (TAs/RAs) work closely with students in labs, thereby putting them in an important position. The TAs/RAs serve as an additional resource for students and are often the first person a student goes to with questions. As such, TAs/RAs must be trained by their Department in appropriate safety practices. TAs/RAs should receive site-specific training from the faculty and/or more senior TAs/RAs, and may also receive supplemental training in-person and/or online through the Safety team.
Faculty
Faculty members must be well-versed in all applicable safety procedures, best practices, emergency procedures and waste management associated with their laboratories. Depending on the information, training may be in-person or online.
Personal Protective Equipment
Requirements are in place for proper attire and personal protective equipment (PPE) for labs working with chemical, biological, physical or radiological hazards. These items are extremely important for protecting individuals working with hazardous substances and should be worn properly.
Each department is responsible to conduct a PPE Assessment relative to each activity or experiment in the teaching lab and to identify appropriate PPE for the activities. The department head must ensure that faculty and TAs/RAs enforce the use of required PPE at all times in the teaching labs.
Department heads or instructors may contact the Safety team, 972-883-7200, for guidance.