USC employees are required to take one or more safety training courses depending on the type of work they perform. Review the resources below to determine specific safety training needs.
Consult the Research Training Finder to determine what safety courses are required (e.g., Office of Compliance, Office of Research, or Contracts and Grants). Pinpoint courses rapidly by clicking on filters in the left-hand menu.
NOTE: Scheduled sessions may be cancelled, combined, or rescheduled as needed.
| Safety Course | Resource(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ABSL 2 |
| All animal researchers who administer chemical or biohazardous substances to experimental animals are required to complete the ABSL 2 training. Participants are required to renew their training every 3 years. |
| Annual Safety Refresher (ASR) | ASR must be provided to research staff by the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee and must include specific safety topics. | |
| Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) | Anyone working with or who has the potential to be exposed to human or non-human primate blood, blood products, cell lines, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials must attend. Participants are required to renew their training annually. | |
| Bloodborne Pathogens Refresher | BBP Refresher may be completed: (a) In-house by PI as part of the Annual Safety Refresher. Use the checklist as a guide. OR (b) via The Bloodborne Pathogen and Aerosol Transmitted Disease Online Training as assigned by the PI. Participants are required to renew their training annually. | |
| Controlled Substances (CST) | All controlled substance (Sch I-V) users at USC are required to complete the online Controlled Substances Training on Trojan Learn. | |
| General Lab Safety (GLS) | The course covers hazardous materials, lab hazards, engineering and administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and hazardous waste management. Anyone working in USC laboratories must attend. High school students must complete the course and provide a signed Parent Consent Form to their USC research advisors prior to working in USC laboratories. | |
| GLS Meet & Greet | The GLS Meet and Greet is a workshop that: – Introduces new USC researchers to EH&S Research Safety staff. – Promotes the exchange of safety information, anecdotes, or experiences between colleagues. – Connects researchers with EH&S staff to assist in addressing questions or concerns. GLS participants who complete the initial General Lab Safety Training (online or Zoom) must attend a Meet and Greet session. This is a one-time requirement. | |
| Heat Illness Prevention | This online training discusses heat illness (e.g., heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke) and ways to guard against it. All employees that work outdoors or in other spaces where environmental risk factors for heat illness are present are required to complete the training. | |
| Laser Safety (LAS) | The course covers laser classification, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE). All laser operators are required to attend. | |
| Principal Investigator Safety Management Training | Although this training is for anyone, if you are a PI and manage an area or lab that has chemicals, biologicals, radioactive materials or equipment, controlled substances, animals, or any other hazardous materials or hazardous equipment, you are required to complete this one-time training. The training will: – Articulate your safety responsibilities as a Principal Investigator – Help you create and implement a healthy and safe working environment – Advise on best safety practices and procedures
| |
| Principles of Biosafety (BIO) | This course covers safe practices for handling and containment of biological materials including human blood, human pathogens, recombinant DNA, and biological toxins. This training is required to be re-taken every 3 years. | |
| Radiation Safety (RAD) | The course covers radioactive materials (RAM), radiation sources, safe work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and radioactive waste management. Anyone working with or has the potential to be exposed to radiation or radioactive materials must attend. | |
| Radiation Safety Refresher | This is an online refresher of topics covered in the main Radiation Safety course. | |
| Shipment of Biological Materials and/or Dry Ice (BHS) | Learn steps for proper shipping of biosamples. Participants are required to renew their training every two years. | |
| Viral Vector Training (VVT) | Viral Vector (VVT) and BSL-2+ Training identifies safety concerns for research involving the use of viral vectors and advises on the appropriate safety precautions and best practices to implement inside a BSL-2+ laboratory. This training is required to be re-taken every 3 years. | |
| X-ray Safety | Register for an In-person Session via TrojanLearn >> | This safety course is designed for faculty, staff, students, and volunteers working with X-ray and other radiation-producing devices at USC. Contact Radiation Safety at radsafety@usc.edu to request in-person training. |
| Irradiator Training (IRR) | Register for In-person Session via TrojanLearn >> | This is a “hands-on” training designed to familiarize users with the irradiator, its safety protocols, and best practices. NOTE: Complete the X-ray Safety Training in Trojan Learn prior to attending Irradiator Training. |