What safety training classes are available?

Environmental Health and Safety offers more than 20 different safety training classes. Most classes are designed to cover the requirements of Federal and State regulations (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

For a list of class offerings and detailed information, refer to the Safety Training policy.

The Office of Research Safety also offers safety training related to Chemical, Biological, and Radiological hazards.

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How do I know which training classes I am required to attend?

Different job tasks require different safety training requirements. For assistance in identifying your training needs for a particular job classification, please view the Safety Training Match Guide.

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Are safety training classes offered online?

Environmental Health and Safety is pleased to announce the availability of the following classes online through the University’s Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) site. 

  • Fire Safety and Evacuation;
  • Back Safety;
  • Bloodborne Pathogens (non-lab);
  • General Electrical Safety Training;
  • Hazard Communication Training (HazCom);
  • Ladder Safety Training;
  • Personal Protective Equipment Training;
  • Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC); 
  • Safety Orientation for Project Managers, Facility Managers and Supervisors;
  • Machine Shop Safety;
  • Forklift/Power Lift Operation and Safety;
  • Ergonomics;
  • Oversized Potentially Infectious Waste Container Training (DOT SP-11185);
  • Potentially Infectious Waste Training;
  • DOT In-Depth Security; and
  • Batteries, Lamps, and Ballasts - Waste Handling

The Office of Research Safety also hosts a catalog of online safety classes related to Chemical, Biological, and Radiological hazards.  Including, but not limited to:

  • Chemical Hygiene Plan; and
  • Bloodborne Pathogens for Biomedical Researchers

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How do I access online classes?

You can access online classes through the following:

  • Enter the EHSA Online Training Module  to complete online training content (ehsa.uchicago.edu/training);
  • Click on the “Due Date" column twice to ensure the required or overdue courses are brought up to the top of the list; and
  • Click on the "Select" icon next to the training you would like to complete.

NOTE: Due to sensitive security information, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 773.702.9999 or safety@uchicago.edu to be pre-enrolled in DOT-In Depth Security training.

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How do I register for a class?

In order to register for in-person training sessions, go to the EHSA Training Registration module  (ehsa.uchicago.edu/trainingregistration).

To register for a class:

  • Log in using your CNetID
  • Click on the course you would like to attend;
  • Scroll down to view available sections;
  • Click on “Register” next to the appropriate section you would like to attend;
  • A registration screen will appear with the course you clicked on at the top of the page;
  • If this is the correct class, click “Confirm”; and
  • If you'd like to register for additional courses, simply repeat the process.

Note: If there are no participants registered for a class or the minimum number of participants has not been achieved, the class will be canceled. If you have registered for a class that has been canceled, you will receive an e-mail notification.

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How do I cancel my registration if I cannot attend a class?

In order to cancel/un-register for an in-person class, go to the EHSA Training Registration Module.  Find the class you wish to cancel under your list of registered classes and click un-register.

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What happens if I do not show up and I forget to un-register for a class?

All employees need to cancel as soon as possible if they do not plan to attend a class. The employee’s department is charged a penalty fee of $50 for “no shows”. The penalty increases to $100 for “no shows” of the same training class the second time within one year. If you forget to un-register for a class and it is too late, please give Environmental Health and Safety as soon as possible at 773.702.9999.

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What happens if the class I want to register for is full?

If the class you wish to register for is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and you will receive an e-mail notification if a seat becomes available. It is important to register for the class to ensure a seat. 

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Can I attend a training class without registering for the class?

All employees must be registered to be able to attend the class. You will not be guaranteed a seat if you do not register for the class. If the class is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and you will receive an e-mail notification if you are placed in the class.

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Am I required to take a quiz at the end of the class?

All employees attending training shall be required to demonstrate adequate knowledge retention as shown through a learning measurement exercise. Employees not demonstrating adequate knowledge retention shall be retrained and retake the exercise until adequate retention is demonstrated. The passing criteria for the learning measurement exercise is 70 percent.

During inspections, a representative from Environmental Health and Safety has the right to interview employees to determine the adequacy of safety training compliance.

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Which training classes require a refresher?

The first time you attend a training class, it is considered the initial training. The following safety training classes have annual refresher requirements thereafter:

  • Bloodborne Pathogens;
  • Fire Safety and Evacuation;
  • Hearing Conservation;
  • Respiratory Protection; 
  • Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC);
  • EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP);
  • Oversized Potentially Infectious Waste Container Training (DOT SP-11185);
  • Fall Protection;
  • Ladder Safety;
  • Lockout/Tagout;
  • Forklift/Power Lift Operation and Safety;
  • Forklift/Power Lift Operation and Safety Practical Exam;
  • Hazard Communication;
  • Electrical Safety - Qualified;
  • Potentially Infectious Waste Training;
  • DOT In-Depth Security; and
  • Petroleum Storage Tank Operator Training 

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How are training records maintained?

All employees attending general safety training classes shall sign or initial an attendance roster. The information from this attendance roster in conjunction with the learning measurement exercise shall be stored in the EHSA system, which is a safety management system maintained by Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Research Safety.

Employees or departments can request individual training profiles or department reports by contacting Environmental Health and Safety at 773.702.9999.

Supervisors shall document department specific health and safety training regardless of the style (e.g., classroom-style, video, one-on-one, safety meetings). At a minimum, training records shall include the employee name, job title, supervisor, date, trainer, and training content.

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