Biological Safety

This course consists of two modules covering basic information and practices for inactivation, disinfection and disposal of laboratory biological materials and medical sharps. OBS recommends this training for anyone working with lab biological materials at UW-Madison or an affiliated laboratory. This training is not required.

Laboratory, research staff working with Autoclaves

This online training course provides information and guidance around activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that may be subject to the federal and/or campus policies for Dual Use Research of Concern, or DURC, and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential, or PEPP.

This course is required for people listed on a biosafety protocol that includes select agents, select toxins of any quantity, risk group 3 (RG3) materials or materials handled at BSL3, or a project proposal or grant requiring review by either a funding agency or UW Madison.

Reproductive Hazards in Research is intended to be a comprehensive course that identifies potential hazards in the research community for women, men, the developing fetus, and children at home. Extensive resources for reproductive hazards in a research setting can be difficult to elucidate, therefore, we hope this course is a valuable resource for potential side effects from exposure to biological, chemical, and radioactive hazards as well as method of prevention. This course also offers resources in the form of guidance documents and publications to identify more detailed and specific information.

This course is intended for anyone on campus who is a significant other, currently pregnant or considering becoming pregnant.

This course covers how to safely work with cryogens such as liquid nitrogen. The course is divided into two sections. In the first section, we discuss the general hazards posed by cryogens, first aid for cryogenic burns, oxygen depletion hazards and how to transport cryogens. Everyone who works with cryogens should complete part 1. In the second section, we discuss how cryogens are stored, risks of pressure explosions and the hazards of non-inert cryogens. Part 2 should be completed by researchers who are responsible for the maintenance of cryogenic Dewars and cylinders and those who work with non-inert cryogens such as liquid oxygen.

Everyone who uses cryogenic liquids

UW-Madison facilities supervision and staff that provides service and maintenance for building with biocontainment facilities should take this training course to ensure safety of all campus staff and research programs.

Objectives of this training:

• Learn the concept of directional airflow
• Identify lab and fan system components that are typically used on equipment that serves containment spaces
• Learn to recognize the signage that identifies critical equipment
• Identify how and who to contact when you need to perform work on a system
• Learn the communication steps taken during the work request process

Facilities, services, maintenance staff working in biocontainment facility buildings

Provides initial training AND renewal training for hazardous materials shipping of biological materials and dry ice. Compliant with IATA/ICAO Dangerous Goods and US DOT 49CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations. Once registered, this course will be continually available to you for any renewal or refresher training.

This course consists of multiple Shipping Training Paths, each earning a certificate of training. Each Path is independent with its own quiz and certificate, you only complete the paths you need for the materials you ship. To complete a Training Path you must have a passing score on the quiz and print the quiz score page for your certificate.

• Campus Transport of Biologicals and Dry Ice Training Path
• Exempt & Unregulated Biological Shipping Training Path
• GMO/GMMO Shipping Training Path
• Biological Substance, Category B Training Path
• Infectious Substance Category A Training Path
• Dry Ice Shipping Training Path
• Toxins Extracted from Living Sources Training Path

Certificates:  Quiz Score page printout is your certificate for each Training Path

We will no longer send separate certificates to individuals – you must print your quiz score page

Shippers of biological materials and dry ice

The goal of this training is to provide general safety information intended to help research personnel recognize hazards associated with centrifuges. By the end of the training, you should be able to identify common terms, hazards, and better understand safe and effective centrifuge use.

Laboratory, research staff working with centrifuges

The topics covered in this training module are related to the safe and effective use of autoclaves and include an introduction to autoclaves, items that should and should not be autoclaved, effective use, maintenance, efficacy testing, record keeping and injury response.

By the end of this module, you should be able to identify common terms, hazards, and better understand safe and effective autoclave use.

This information is NOT intended to be an operation procedure for any specific autoclave or for setting cycle parameters. Users should ALWAYS consult and become familiar with the manufacturer’s operation manual prior to use of the autoclave.

Laboratory, research staff working with Autoclaves

This course provides information on the function of a biological safety cabinet (BSC) and how to properly work within a BSC in order to protect you and prevent the release of materials into your laboratory. There is no renewal requirement for this training.

Once registered, this course will be continually available to you for any renewal or refresher training.

Laboratory, research staff working with BSCs

This training has been developed specifically for researchers working with potentially infectious human materials and meets the requirements for annual training in the Bloodborne Pathogens Program. This course relates the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to biological research settings for those working with human blood, cells, tissue, and other potentially infectious material. This course is both the initial bloodborne pathogen training and the annual refresher.

Laboratory, research staff working with human-source materials