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Environmental Health and Safety
The University of Mississippi

Safety Training

Training Requirements

  • The following safety training requirements apply to faculty, staff and graduate students working with biological, chemical, radiological materials or ionizing radiation producing devices on the Oxford Campus, as well as visiting investigators working with these materials under the supervision of trained University personnel on the campus.
  • These training requirements will also apply to undergraduate students when they are working in these areas in other than a regularly scheduled University course.
  • Use of any of the materials/devices listed below requires the signing of the appropriate “Safety Agreement” form.
  • You must present Proper Identification (Student ID, Social Security Number, Passport/Visa) at the beginning of the training sessions.
  • Please call Laboratory Services to schedule a date and time for your training session(s).
  • Training classes start promptly at the Scheduled Time. If you are late, you will need to reschedule.

General Biological Safety Training

All faculty, staff or graduate students working with biological materials are required to take the biological safety training program and pass a written quiz on biological safety. Annual retraining is not required. Time required for the training is approximately 1.5 hours

Biosafety for Maintenance Personnel

All University maintenance personnel who are required to enter areas where personnel use or store biohazardous materials or biological waste are required to attend a specialized biological safety training course and pass a written quiz on biological safety awareness. Annual retraining is not required for continued authorization. Time required for the training is approximately 1 hour.

Human Pathogens, DNA and Human Products Safety Training

All University personnel and all students working with human pathogens; human blood, blood products or human body fluids; and recombinant DNA are required to have special biological training and written authorization prior to starting any work. A pre-requisite to this training is completion of the General Biological Safety Training. Annual retraining is not required for continued authorization. Time required for the training is approximately 1 hour.

General Chemical Safety Training

All faculty, staff and graduate students working with chemicals on the Oxford campus are required to take the chemical safety training program and to pass a written examination on chemical safety. Annual retraining is not required. A special safety training program is required for Facilities Management Personnel. Time required for the training is approximately 3 hours.

Carcinogenic Safety Training

All University personnel and all students are required to have special safety training in the handling and use of carcinogenic materials and written authorization prior to starting any work with carcinogenic compounds. A laboratory with a Class II or better Fume Hood is required for the handling of carcinogenic materials. A pre-requisite to this training is completion of the General Chemical Safety Training. Application to use carcinogens is made through Laboratory Services. Annual retraining is not required for continued authorization. Training is part of the Chemical Safety Training.

Radiological Safety Training–Materials

All University personnel including all students working with, or in areas that use or store, radioactive material are required to have completed the Radiation Safety Training program for Materials including passing a written examination and have obtained written authorization prior to working with, or in areas that house, radioactive isotopes. Authorization of personnel to work in University laboratories where personnel use or store Radiological Materials is contingent upon their direct supervisors and Department Heads receiving and maintaining similar authorization. A pre-requisite to this training is completion of the General Chemical Safety Training program and Carcinogen approval. Annual retraining is required for continued authorization. A score of 80% on the exam is required for successful completion of the retraining. Time required for the training is approximately 3 hours.

Radiological Safety Training–Generating Devices

All University personnel and all students working with, or in areas that use or store, ionizing radiation generating equipment are required to have completed the radiation safety training program including passing the written examination and have obtained written authorization prior to starting any work with, or in areas that house, ionizing radiation generating devices. Authorization of personnel to work in University laboratories where personnel use or store Radiation Generating Devices is contingent upon their direct supervisors and Department Heads receiving and maintaining similar authorization. Annual retraining is required for continued authorization. A score of 80% on the exam is required for successful completion of the retraining. Time required for the training is approximately 2 hours.

Any questions concerning these safety training requirements should be referred to Environmental Health and Safety at 662-915-5433.