Environmental Health & Safety

Please log into your Brightspace account BEFORE clicking on the applicable "Self-Register Here" button below.
 

These courses are for Dalhousie Faculty, Staff & Students ONLY 

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Instructional Team: Environmental Health and Safety Office, Dalhousie University

Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)

Course Description

A safe workplace is vital to any organization's mission and no undertaking should be considered so important that it be pursued in an unsafe manner. Managers and supervisors have the responsibility to protect workers and keep the workplace safe.  

This course offers learners an overview of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act of Nova Scotia. Designed to meet the needs of managers and supervisors, learners will become familiar with safety principles and risk management, legislation, rights and responsibilities, hazard identification, the internal responsibility system, their internal and legal responsibilities, and the concept of due diligence.  

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to know their health and safety responsibilities, establish approaches to meet their OHS responsibilities, find applicable OHS legislation, take leadership in developing a strong safety culture, understand the consequences of non-compliance, be able to exercise due diligence, and be empowered to take an active role in workplace safety.   

Target Audience: 

Managers, supervisors, forepersons, and anyone who wants to understand and improve workplace health and safety.

WHMIS

Course Description

Every worker who works with, or in proximity to, a hazardous product in the workplace must have Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training. In February 2015, WHMIS was modified to align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classifying and labeling chemicals known as WHMIS 2015.

This course will cover all the major elements of the WHMIS 2015 requirements giving the participant a strong general foundation to understand the risks associated with working with or around chemicals. However, it is important to note that additional worksite specific training may also be required to properly address the specific chemicals in use in that workplace.

Target Audience: 

Managers, supervisors, foremen, and anyone who wants to understand and improve workplace health and safety.

Chemical Spill Response

Course Description

Chemical spills can occur in the laboratory or when transporting chemicals. In either situation, all personnel should be prepared to respond. Principal investigators, supervisors, staff, students, and any individual working with chemicals should be familiar with the chemical, physical, and toxicological properties of hazardous products in the laboratory or work area. Planning ahead and equipping the laboratory or work area with the required equipment will ensure a quick, safe and effective response.

This course will cover responsibilities, prevention, spill kit contents, spill assessment, and spill response. It is important to note that additional site-specific training may also be required in order to address the specific chemicals in use.

Target Audience:

All who work with or in proximity to chemicals.

Fire Safety
 

Course Description

This course will provide the learner with an introduction to Fire Safety. The course includes the basic composition of fire, the classifications of fire, types of fire extinguishers, proper use of a fire extinguisher, fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, and fire evacuation procedures.

Target Audience:
Fire wardens, Facilities Management staff and general interest for Dalhousie staff, faculty, and students.

Laboratory Safety

Course Description

Individuals working in a laboratory can potentially be exposed to a variety of hazardous products and processes. This online course is designed for all individuals working in laboratories and will cover the major elements of laboratory safety, giving the participant a strong general foundation to understand the risks associated with working in a laboratory.

The course addresses safe laboratory practices such as:

• responsibilities, 
• recognition and mitigation of laboratory hazards; 
• working safely with chemicals;
• the use of engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment; 
• and emergency procedures. 

It is important to note that additional laboratory-specific training may also be required to properly address the specific chemicals, processes, and equipment in use in that laboratory.

Ergonomics

Course Description

Ergonomics refers to any person-environment interaction. This interactive course presents and applies ergonomic fundamentals to empower learners to mitigate their exposure to ergonomic risk factors during participation in daily living activities, whether at work or away from work.

In this course, principles of optimal ergonomics are applied not only to the physical or built environment to optimize physical efficiency and safety, but to the psycho-social and cultural environment to optimize psychological health and safety as well.

Laser Safety

Course Description

This laser safety training course has been created to provide reasonable and adequate guidance for the safe use of lasers and laser systems, particularly for using class 3B and 4 lasers in research. This laser safety training aligns with the ANSI Z136 series for the Safe Use of Lasers.​

An essential element of a safe laser work environment is a thorough understanding of the laser hazards of those working with lasers. Laser users should be able to evaluate potential beam and non-beam hazards and implement the appropriate control measures to protect themselves and others.

This course will cover the fundamentals of lasers and laser systems, specific types of lasers and their uses, hazard evaluations and classifications, potential biological effects and mechanisms of injury, safety practices and protective measures, and regulations. Completing this course will empower the learner to create and maintain a positive laser safety culture and its proper use.

Target Audience:

• Anyone interested in learning more about Class 3B or 4 lasers
• Faculty, staff, and students working with Class 3B or 4 lasers.
• Workers who maintain or service Class 3B or 4 lasers.

Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC)

Course Description

This course will give participants the knowledge needed to successfully initiate the formation of a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC). Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, workplaces are required to have a supportive JOHSC or representative to follow the regulations.

The course will prepare management, supervisors, and employees to form a JOHS Committee in their workplace, as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS). Topics covered in the JOHSC Course include:

• Responsibilities for Employers and Employees under the OHS Act
• Reporting Structure
• Investigation of Incidents/Accidents
• How to manage a committee
• Committee’s role within the workplace
• Documentation

Target Audience:

• Employees and supervisors involved with the JOHS Committee
• Start-up businesses

Incident Investigation 

Course Description:

Gain the skills required to conduct thorough workplace accident investigations with our comprehensive, self-paced course. This program covers essential techniques and methodologies for securing accident scenes, gathering crucial evidence, and identifying human errors. Engage with nine meticulously crafted scenarios that simulate real-life incidents and aim for mastery by scoring 100% in each scenario.

Target Audience:

• Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) students
• Occupational Health & Safety professionals
• Supervisors
• Managers

Biosafty

Course Description

Individuals working in laboratories with biohazardous materials can potentially be exposed to infectious or toxic materials. This course provides a foundation to understand the risks related to working with biohazardous materials, as well as an overview of the practices and procedures to work safely. It is important to note that additional laboratory-specific training may also be required to fully address the specific materials, processes, and equipment in use in that laboratory.

Target Audience: 
All who work in laboratories with biohazardous materials, including faculty, staff, and students.

Respiratory Protection

Course Description:

Respiratory hazards are common in many workplaces, and both frontline workers and management must have a shared understanding of respiratory protection. Knowing how to protect yourself and others from respiratory hazards helps ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Various controls and precautions can be taken to limit exposure to respiratory hazards and help ensure safety at work.

This course will introduce the learner to respiratory protection. Students will learn about common respiratory hazards, control methods, respirator classifications, filtration types, the two forms of fit testing, correct donning and doffing procedures, user seal checks, cleaning, and common best practices for respirator usage.

Target Audience:

• Anyone who will wear respiratory protection
• Anyone who is taking a fit test
• Supervisors
• Managers
• Lab workers

Registration Process

You will need to set up your NetID and password to register for these courses. If you are a new student, your NetID is provided in your letter of acceptance.

NOTE:  On a new tab in your browser, login to Brightspace before registering. Click on the course that you want to self-register for and complete the following steps:

1. Click on Register
2. Your first name, last name and email addres will appear - press Submit.
   
3. You will now receive Confirmation of your enrollment.
4. Then press Finish.
5. A Registration Summary will appear and a link to the course is supplied.
6. Press Done.

    WHMIS 2015 
    Chemical Spill Response 
    Fire Safety 
    Ergonomics 
    Laboratory Safety 
   

Please note:  When you have successfully passed the Final Quiz with a mark of 80% or higher, Brightspace will issue you an Achievement Award and an email will be sent to you with your Course Completion PDF. This Course Completion record will be your proof that you have successfully completed the course.