Safety Training

Working safely so that all of CAHNRS goes home at the end of the day as whole and as healthy as when they arrived is our goal.

We seek to weave safety into our daily activities deliberately by using the WSU Safety Policy and Procedure Manual as a guide. We are a diverse college with employees working in labs, classrooms, farms, fields and offices — a one-size-fits-all safety approach will not work. It takes effort and planning to ensure we work safely.

Here is how your team can plan to be safe everywhere, every day.

1. Self-Inspection – Safety inspections are to be conducted at least annually to identify potentially hazardous working conditions and help with planning employee safety training. High-hazard areas, i.e., workshops and laboratories, should be inspected more frequently. Use the Safety Inspection Checklist (PDF) to help.
2. Supervisor as Safety Manager – All supervisors should take this instructor-led training offered by WSU Environmental Health and Safety. It includes information on the supervisor’s responsibilities, role in performing inspections, and reporting and investigating accidents.
3. Employee Safety Training – Safety Training is not a “one and done” activity. Each time an employee begins a new duty or works with a new piece of equipment, a supervisor trains them on safe and proper use.  Start new employees off right by reviewing the Safety Orientation Checklist (PDF) with them on their first day.  Next, have them take the WSU required online safety trainings soon after their first day of employment. 
4. Provide any additional safety training that may be needed. From all forms of Lab Safety to Distracted Driving, the WSU HRS Training portal offers many instructor led and online safety training topics.
   • For those at our Farms and Research and Extension Centers, visit the Agriculture Training section of this web page and find more training on the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers YouTube channel or the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries site. 
   • A complete offering of WSU EHS-led trainings can be found on the EHS Percipio page. If working in a lab, review the Laboratory Safety Manual and the Chemical Hygiene Plan for your area. Ensure participation in the Lab Signage Program. Fill out a Laboratory Inspection Form (PDF) to test your knowledge and processes before a real inspection occurs.
   • The Office of Research Assurances hosts various committees that can assist in many situations.
   • A playlist of CAHNRS-relevant safety trainings has been compiled on Percipio and is frequently reviewed and updated.
5. Get Help! – Whatever your safety training planning or needs, you don’t have to do it alone! Contact cahnrs.safety@wsu.edu for assistance – we are happy to help.