Labratory and field safety at the AEL

AEL Training Requirements

The philosophy of the AEL places a heavy emphasis on employee and student training. Currently, University Laboratory Animal Care and Use, CPR/First Aid, Defensive Driving, Electrofishing Safety, Boat/Motor/Trailering Safety, Laboratory Safety, and Computer training are required for all new employees.

Boating Safety: All Graduate students and research staff are required to attend an 8-hour course taught by the Columbus Sail & Power Squadron prior to operating AEL boats. Courses are tailored for both Lake Erie and inland waterways.

Boat and Trailering Safety Short Course is presented by a Division of Wildlife technician and covers all aspects of trailer operation and safety. “Your guide to Towing”, published by the magazine, Trailer Boats, is distributed to all new employees.

Electrofishing Training. Anyone who will be involved with electrofishing is required to watch the electrofishing safety video and complete a one-day Red Cross First Aid/CPR training course. During some years we invite the Division to provide an updated, hands-on course in a workshop format.

AEL computer use training is required before access to AEL computers is permitted. Typically, this training is provided by one of the senior graduate students familiar with the policies and procedures of our computer facility. This orientation includes security issues as well as general rules of conduct. Through the University’s mainframe system, we are connected to the World Wide Web, e-mail accounts, the Super Computers, and other internet services. The AEL also encourages and supports computer workshops for anyone interested in enrolling in OSU Office of Information Technology (OIT) courses, most of which deal with general computer training and specific software packages..

Laboratory animal care and use course: Most of us are likely to handle animals in either the lab or the field; thus, all AELers (students, employees, and volunteers) are required to complete a half-day Animal Usage Orientation course.

Laboratory safety training is provided by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and is required for all AEL regular staff and students. Graduate Students are further required to complete the full 10-hour course during their first year. Part-time students and staff may watch a 1-hour laboratory safety video approved by the safety officer of the College of Biological Sciences.

Motor Vehicle Training is required of all employees and volunteers who drive AEL vehicles. This includes an orientation course given by the Vehicle Coordinator to all new drivers. All drivers are required to successfully complete the Defensive Driving Course on videotape, followed by examination that is mailed to the National Safety Council for evaluation. Employees are required to take a Defensive Drivers Refresher Course once every 4 years. Supervisors validate such training and determine that these employees continue to demonstrate competence in responsibly operating AEL motor vehicles.

Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification is required annually of all students and staff at the AEL.

Chemical safety

Ohio law requires that all University principle investigators conduct research in accordance with OSHA Laboratory Standard (29 CFR Part 1910.1450 -Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories). To this end, the College of Biological Sciences requires all principle investigators to create a useful reference book that is unique to his/her lab. The AEL, in compliance with the rules of the college, maintains a laboratory safety reference book that details the lab’s chemical hygiene plan, hazardous chemical inventory, material safety data sheets, standard operating procedures, training logs, inspection logs, accident reporting, emergency and spill procedures, and hazardous waste guidelines. Additionally, all new members of the AEL are required to enroll in the university's 10 hour chemical safety course.