Safety Documents

The following is a list of safety documents for use by persons engaged in Science activities at Saint Mary's University. 

Please reach out with any questions to Leanne Lucas at Leanne.Lucas@smu.ca

Forms

• Undergraduate Hazard Identification and Risk Management Form
  This form is to be completed by all undergraduate students undertaking Science research activities before starting any research work.
• Risk Notice
  This form must be completed for all courses that involve occasional or one-time off-campus activities (field courses use the Field Risk Assessment Checklist instead), and any on-campus course that involves hazards not normally encountered in a typical classroom setting (e.g. most courses with labs).
• Field Risk Assessment Checklist  (Click to download)
  This form must be completed for field courses and for field research activities.
• Laboratory Safety Orientation Checklist
  This form is to be completed to document laboratory safety training in Science.
• Hazard and Control Assessment
  This form is to be completed when planning work that is new or significantly different. This includes implementing a new procedure, using new or different equipment or chemicals, working in a new location, etc.
• Experiment in Progress Form
  This form is to be completed if an experiment is to continue unattended OR outside of regular working hours (i.e. evening, overnight, weekends and holidays). The form must be prominently displayed on the lab door outside of the research area. A duplicate copy of the form may also be posted on or near the equipment in use.

Safe Work Practices and Work Instructions

• Work Instruction 4: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training of Science personnel
  The Faculty of Science department chairpersons and/or program co-ordinators are responsible to ensure that all students, teaching or research assistants, lab instructors, technicians, and full-time/part-time faculty members receive the appropriate WHMIS training. This document provides guidelines concerning the provision of WHMIS training to those within the Faculty of Science.‌
• SWP 6: Mechanical Equipment to Protect Against Chemical Exposure
  This document outlines how mechanical equipment in the Faculty of Science is maintained and controlled to prevent exposures to chemical hazards. It also explains how to mitigate hazards by conducting a Hazard and Control Assessment.
• Work Instruction 8: Ordering, Receiving, and Inventory of Chemicals and Biologicals in the Faculty of Science
  This document explains how all chemicals are to be ordered, received, documented, and stored within the Faculty of Science.‌
• SWP 10: Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Teaching Laboratories
  This document provides advice to ensure and document that Instructors, Departmental Technicians, Teaching Assistants, Students, Staff, Visitors, and others are not exposed to unacceptable levels of hazardous chemicals, biologicals, or radiation while conducting teaching activities. 
• SWP 11: Limitation of Exposure to Hazardous Substances in Research Activities
  This document provides advice to ensure and document that researchers and others are not exposed to unacceptable levels of hazardous chemicals, biologicals, or radiation.‌
• SWP 12: Safety Management While Conducting Field Work
  This document provides insight, instruction, and procedures for conducting safe off-campus field work, and to help evaluate and mitigate safety risks through education, planning, and reporting.
• Work Instruction 13 : Handling and Disposal of Chemical Wastes
  This document provides protocols for the safe handling of chemical waste in both teaching and research laboratories.‌
• SWP 14: Transportation of Cryogenic and Compressed Gases
  This document provides guidance for the transportation of cryogenic and compressed gases between floors within the Science building.
• SWP 15: Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Laboratories
  This document provides general guidance for working safely with chemicals and biologicals in teaching, research, and service laboratories.
• SWP 16: Daytime Emergency Response Plan
  Provides guidance for emergencies including events such as chemical spills, chemical exposures, floods, or low oxygen alarms during regular working hours (8:30 am - 5 pm on weekdays) in Science facilities at Saint Mary's University.
• FSSC-SSWP-016-v1.0 - Daytime Emergency Contact Numbers
  List of daytime emergency contact numbers in Science.
• SWP 17: After Hours Emergency Response Plan
  Provides guidance for emergencies including events such as chemical spills, chemical exposures, power outages, floods, or low oxygen alarms after hours (5:00 pm - 8:30 am on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays) in Science facilities at Saint Mary's University.
• SWP 18: Science Safety Policy
  Working safely is everyone’s responsibility. This document outlines the requirements for working safely in laboratories, on field trips, and during field research in the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s University.  

Signs, Posters, and Templates

• Lab Hazard Door Signs
  A Guide to Science Department Door Signs 2025
  Door Sign Template 2025
  Door Sign Template -1
  Door sign Template -2
  Instructions and templates to create signs for laboratory doors that list any hazards which may be contained within the laboratory space. The signs also note whether there are any restrictions for entering the space.