Gloved person holding chemical to conduct experiment.

Lab safety

Lab permits

A lab is a room or area that contains hazardous materials subject to EHSO permitting for the purpose of teaching or research. This includes X-ray rooms, workshops, storage areas, and research and instructional laboratories. 

To be subject to EHSO permitting, your activities must meet one of the following requirements: 

  1. Biosafety permit - required to work with biological agents.
  2. Radiation safety permits - required to work with radioactive material or X-Ray equipment.
  3. Chemical safety permit - required for rooms or work that meet(s) threshold quantities of chemicals. 

More information on each type of permit is found within each section below. 

EHSO permit application and management activities occur using the EHSA database

Biosafety program

The University of Manitoba’s Biosafety Program is in place to ensure the UM operates in compliance with the requirements of all related biosafety legislation as well as to ensure the safety of the UM Community. More information can be found on the Biosafety page.

Biosafety page

Animal care occupational health program

The University of Manitoba’s Animal Care Occupational Health Program supports animal care workers, researchers, and technicians working with animals for research purposes. More information can be found on the Animal Care Occupational Health page. 

Animal Care Occupational Health page

Radiation safety program

The University of Manitoba’s Radiation Safety Program ensures work with radioisotopes, x-ray equipment and lasers occurs in adherence with municipal, provincial and federal regulations. This type of work occurs across many areas at the University. This is reflected in the diverse membership of the UM Radiation Protection Committee supporting this program with its expertise.

More information can be found on the UM Radiation Safety page. Please contact UM Radiation Safety with all program related inquiries. 

Radiation Safety page

Chemical safety program

The Chemical Safety Program ensures the safe and knowledgeable use of chemicals at the University of Manitoba, whether in the workplace, lab, or classroom. To find information on WHMIS, chemical inventories, storage and handling, chemical waste, chemical safety permits, spill response and post exposure protocols for chemicals, visit the Chemical Safety page. 

If you have any questions regarding chemicals, contact us at chemsafe@umanitoba.ca.

Chemical safety page  

Lab signage

All permitted lab spaces must have a Workplace Hazardous Information Placard (WHIP) posted on the door. This placard identifies personal protective equipment (PPE) that are required for entry into the lab, hazards that are present in the lab space, and contact information for the supervisors in charge of the lab space. A WHIP is generated from the permitted hazards specific to a lab space and can be printed directly from EHSA.

Other signage that may be present in a lab can be found on the Lab Safety page on the UM Intranet.

Personal protective equipment

A lab has two levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, entry level requirements which are designated on the lab door and task-specific personal protective equipment, which are communicated through safe work procedures and lab-specific training. Information on different types of PPE, including gloves, safety eyewear, respiratory protection, and safety footwear, can be found here.

Lab coats

Lab coats are a commonly required protective layer in many lab spaces. They are worn to protect your clothes and skin from contamination by hazardous products and must be removed when leaving a containment zone or lab area.

Lab coats should:

  • Have quick release fastenings (i.e. snaps) and close-fitting cuffs
  • Be knee-length
  • Be made of flame-retardant material

    Laundering Services

    The University of Manitoba has a list of preferred suppliers that can be used for laundering services.

    Please contact the below suppliers for a quote. This will need to be uploaded into EPIC. For further questions/assistance with purchasing or laundering lab coats contact purchasing@umanitoba.ca.

    Lab safety training

    Safety training consists of both formal courses offered through UMLearn and task-specific training that will be offered through the lab. Use the Lab Safety Training Checklist for New Personnel (PDF) to ensure workers in the lab are fully trained before starting their work.

    Lab equipment

    Some of the specialty equipment in labs require additional monitoring and safety requirements. Guides and other documentation are available for users on the UM Intranet, including information for the following:

    • Fume Hoods
    • Incinerators
    • Autoclaves and Biological Safety Devices
    • Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations
    • Radiation Safety Devices

    Any equipment used with hazardous products (chemical, biological or radiological) must be decontaminated prior to disposal or having maintenance conducted by Physical Plant. Decontamination of lab equipment is the responsibility of the equipment owner, who may delegate that work to the person or department using the equipment.

    The Lab Equipment Decommissioning Form needs to be completed for any equipment that leaves the the lab. Send the form to EHSO when the equipment is ready, and we will schedule an inspection with you to confirm and provide a sign-off. Include this form when submitting for disposal of capital assets with Finance or submitting a Maintenance Request with Physical Plant to have the equipment relocated.

    Lab Equipment Decommissioning Form (PDF)

    For equipment that needs to be serviced in the lab by non-lab staff, complete a Lab Hazard Clearance Form.

    Lab design, decommissioning, and hazard clearance

    Activities involving lab design, whole room decommissioning, lab hazard clearance or decommissioning of lab equipment may only be undertaken by technically qualified persons. The signatory on the forms must be someone with technical knowledge and a significant level of responsibility in the lab. Under no circumstances may administrative staff be tasked with these duties.

    Designing a lab

     

    Environment, health and safety considerations are included from the very beginning of design stages for new and renovated lab spaces. If you are planning to develop a new lab or renovating an existing lab, submit your project request to AES and EHSO is automatically included in the design process. Be prepared to answer questions regarding hazardous materials, equipment, emergency response, and planned activities for the lab space.

     

    Decommissioning a lab

    Whole room decommissioning is required for labs prior to any major renovation, change of use, or transition to a different researcher. This is required for any area where Hazardous Materials (chemical, biological or radiological) are used or stored.

    Decommissioning is the responsibility of the permit holder, and tasks may be delegated to the person(s) using the space. 

    Lab Decommissioning Form (PDF)

    For lab equipment that needs to be decommissioned, complete a Lab Equipment Decommissioning Form.

    Performing maintenance in a lab

    Labs or storage areas where hazardous materials (chemical, biological or radiological) are used or stored must be cleared of hazards prior to maintenance or service activities. Complete a Lab Hazard Clearance Form, then request an inspection from EHSO to confirm and provide sign-off. A completed form is required when submitting a Work Request with Physical Plant.

    Lab Safety - Hazard Clearance Form (PDF)

    Environmental Health and Safety Assistant database

    Permits for the use of chemicals and biological agents in lab spaces are administered through the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) database. To apply for a new lab permit and manage existing permits including items regarding lab workers, training, hazardous materials, and inspection findings, log into EHSA using your UMNetID and password.

    Log in to EHSA Request access to EHSA

    Instructional materials are available on the UM Intranet to aid you in common tasks including initial applications, submitting permit amendments, viewing lab inspection results, and closing corrective actions.

    Ancillary workers

    University employees who are not working in the lab may be required to perform different aspects of their own job duties within lab spaces. This affects a wide range of employees, such as those in Information Services and Technology (IST), Operations & Maintenance, and Caretaking. Training is available for ancilliary workers to ensure they are able to identify hazards and assess risks in such a specialized environment. 

    Visitors to the labs

    Visitors to a lab include any person who is not a student or employee of the University of Manitoba. Visitors are required to follow all safety requirements, including donning of personal protective equipment for entry and/or work within these spaces.

    Refer to the requirements for hosting a visitor, as outlined on the Hosting a Visitor page found on the EHSO UM Intranet page.  

    You may also be looking for

    Contact us

    Environmental Health and Safety
    Room 191 Extended Education Complex
    406 University Crescent
    University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
    Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

    P310 Pathology Building
    770 Bannatyne Avenue
    University of Manitoba (Bannatyne Campus)

    204-474-6633