Research - George Mason University

All over the country, Residence Life staffs continually try to establish the most effective methods of training Resident Advisors (RA) in Fire Safety issues. With the assistance of the City of Fairfax Fire Department, Mason’s Office of Fire Safety Programs was able to put together a comprehensive curriculum for participating students. The intent of the RA Fire Academy is not necessarily to teach RA how to fight fires themselves, but rather to prepare them to deal with fire department employees when they show up and the importance of being proactive with their residents about fire safety. For more information contact to Office of Firesafety Programs at fire@gmu.edu or 703-993-2479.

Training in the proper use of autoclaves at George Mason University is required for all personnel who use autoclaves to sterilize equipment or waste products. This training is provided by the Waste Management Facility Operator.

All individuals working in or frequenting laboratories where biological materials are used or stored must receive Biosafety Training before beginning work with biological materials. This training reviews the principles of biosafety including risk assessment and management strategies, risk groups and biosafety levels safe laboratory practices, methods of disinfection and decontamination, waste management, and spill and exposure response. This training must be renewed annually. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

In accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, training on risks associated with bloodborne pathogens, safe laboratory practices, medical waste management, and emergency procedures is provided annually to all individuals at occupational risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Individuals working in or frequenting laboratories or clinical settings where bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials are present must receive bloodborne pathogens training before beginning work. Training must be renewed annually. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

All personnel working in laboratories or facilities where chemicals are used or stored must receive Chemical Safety Training within 30 days of employment and before starting work in the laboratory. This training must be renewed annually. Chemical Safety Training familiarizes individuals with common chemical hazards, George Mason University's Chemical Hygiene Program, and safe practices for acquisition, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals. Once you have taken this training course, you may substitute Chemical Safety Refresher Training (described below) to meet the annual requirement. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Chemical Safety Refresher Training introduces new topics each year that expand upon basic safety fundamentals and regulations covered in Chemical Safety Training. Topics include new policies and procedures, personal protection, hazard identification, and additional information about safety issues in laboratories such as exposure, safety reference materials, and engineering controls. This training is offered as a substitute for Chemical Safety Training which is required annually. In order to attend Chemical Safety Refresher Training you must have previously attended Chemical Safety Training. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Tour groups and visitors to George Mason University laboratories must receive Laboratory Safety Awareness Training before entering or touring university laboratories. This training provides a brief overview of laboratory hazard recognition, appropriate laboratory attire, and what actions should be taken by visitors in the event of an emergency. Training is provided as needed by OLS staff. To request Laboratory Safety Awareness training for an upcoming tour or visitor, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Laboratory personnel who wish to use radioactive materials are required to take Radiation Safety training before beginning work with radioactive materials. This training provides basic information on the principles of radiation, health risks associated with radioactive materials, radiation protection guidelines, radiation survey instruments, and laboratory procedures for conducting radiation surveys, managing waste, and storing and handling radioactive materials. To register, individuals should complete a Radiation User Authorization Form and email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Radiation Safety Refresher Training is offered to authorized users of radiation who have already completed Radiation Safety Training. Refresher training provides an annual review of radiation safety principles including safe laboratory practices, exposure and spill response procedures, and current regulations, policies, and procedures. Radiation Safety Refresher Training is required annually for authorized users of radiation In order to attend Radiation Safety Refresher Training you must have previously attended Radiation Safety Training. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Comprehensive training is required for personnel who ship infectious materials, diagnostic specimens, and dry ice. All personnel who plan to ship infectious materials or diagnostic specimens must complete this training. Training must be renewed every three years.

Laboratory personnel working with F. tularensis, must receive agent specific training commensurate with the specific hazards of the agent and the procedures they perform. Through group interaction, Working Safely with F. tularensis examines the hazards associated with the live vaccine strain and virulent strains of F. tularensis, exposure mitigation strategies utilized in the laboratory, and incident response procedures such as exposure or spill response. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Laboratory personnel working with HIV must receive agent specific training commensurate with the procedures and experiments they conduct in the laboratory. Through group interaction, Working Safely with HIV examines the hazards associated with Human Immunodeficiency virus, exposure mitigation strategies utilized in the laboratory, and incident response procedures such as exposure or spill response. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Laboratory personnel who wish to use instruments that produce x-ray radiation must receive X-ray Safety Training before beginning work with x-ray producing instruments. This training provides information on the hazards associated with x-ray radiation, safe operating procedures for instruments that produce x-ray radiation and emergency response procedures. Individuals should complete a Radiation User Authorization Form and email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

All persons working in an art studio or participating in creative activities that use hazardous materials must attend Art Safety Training within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter. This training provides an overview of the policies and safety practices that must be observed when working with hazardous materials. Art Safety Training provides guidance on how to identify hazards, wear proper personal protection equipment, safety equipment, disposal of hazardous waste, and develop good safety habits. This course satisfies regulatory requirements for Hazard Communication, or Right-to-Know training, in the context of the art studio. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Hazard Communication Training is required for all personnel working with hazardous materials, excluding laboratory and art personnel. Training is required within 30 days of employment and must be renewed annually. Hazard Communication Training provides information on how to label and store hazardous materials, how to protect against exposure to hazardous materials, emergency procedures, safety equipment, hazardous waste disposal, and safety policies. To register, email EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Hearing Conservation

The OSHA Occupational Noise Exposure Standard (29 CFR 1910.95) stipulates that annual training is required for all in employees who are exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels (dB). The training must include an explanation of the effects of noise on hearing and the purpose, advantages, disadvantages, and use of hearing protective devices (HPD) and the purpose of audiometric testing. Individuals assigned to work areas where the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dB may be exceeded must receive hearing conservation training within 90 days of initial assignment. Training must be renewed annually. To register, contact EHS at safety@gmu.edu.

Respiratory Protection and Fit Testing

The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) stipulates that annual training is required for all in employees required to wear respiratory protection. The training must include a description of the respiratory hazards to which employees are exposed during routine and emergency situations and training in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance. Individuals must receive respiratory protection training prior to being issued respiratory protection. Training must be renewed annually. To register, contact EHS at safety@gmu.edu.