Education and Training

SkyPrep

Training courses are provided via the SkyPrep platform. EHS offers courses that are tailored to the work being performed, whether you are faculty/staff, student, or volunteer. Training includes videos and slide presentations of varying lengths with assessments at the end of each section. EHS provides a temporary password for first-time users, which you will then modify for future access to the system. SkyPrep sends email notifications when you have been enrolled in a course and when you have passed. Additionally, you have access to certificates of course completion. Please note that you will only be able to see and access the course(s) that have been assigned to you. Below you will see descriptions of the training offered for studying or working at either NYMC or Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM).

NYMC Training

Non-Laboratory Personnel Safety Orientation

This generalized course is for anyone on campus that is not directly working in the labs or dental clinic. It contains information on fire and electrical safety, emergency evacuation procedures, hazards relating to asbestos, and blood-borne pathogens. It also includes information on compressed gas cylinders, how to identify hazardous materials, and safety data sheets.

Laboratory Personnel Safety Orientation

This course is designed for those who will be conducting research in the labs. Topics include employee responsibilities, hazards relating to asbestos, fire & electrical safety, and emergency & evacuation procedures. It also contains information on biosafety, including biohazards such as blood-borne pathogens and toxins. As well as precautions when working with animals or recombinant DNA, and the use of biosafety cabinets, decontamination procedures, and discussion on how to handle and dispose of regulated medical waste.

Access to the animal facilities labs in Comparative Medicine requires additional training and medical clearance.

Radiation Safety

This course is designed for those who will be conducting research utilizing radioactive material. The content includes information on state regulations (part 16 of the NYS Sanitary Code) and NYMC policies and procedures regarding the safe handling, use, and security of radioactive materials.

Select Agent & BSL3

The content in this course pertains to those who will be working with biological agents and toxins (also known as select agents) that may pose a severe threat to public health and safety, animal and/or plant life, or to animal or plant products. It includes information on regulations, pre-access suitability assessments, Tier One classification, as well as biosafety risk assessments and mitigation procedures.

Emergency Preparedness

This course includes information on general safety topics including workplace safety, mold, asbestos and lead paint, hazard analysis and communication, spill prevention and countermeasures, as well as toxicology and biosafety.

Basic Safety

This course is for Residents, and participants of clinical trials, also known as Standardized Patients. Topics include types of emergencies that could occur on campus, as well as potential hazards and how to respond appropriately. Examples include steps to take in the event of a fire and evacuation procedures.

Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) Training

TCDM Safety and Compliance

This course is designed for students and staff of the dental program. It covers safety information on blood-borne pathogens and infection control, post-exposure protocols, needle re-capping, and nitrous oxide safety. Additional topics include hazard communication, x-ray safety, N95 respirator fit checks, and general emergency and evacuation for TCDM.

SIM Lab Safety

This course content is specific to TCDM students that will be training in the SIM lab. Information includes types of hazards, high speed lathe machine safety, and torch safety.

X-Ray Safety

This course content is specific to TCDM students to ensure awareness of NYS regulations and TCDM policies and procedures for the safe handling of radiation producing equipment.

N95 Donning & Fit Check

This course is designed to provide information on the intended use and purpose of N95 respirators, the OSHA standards that determine required usage, as well as frequently asked questions and the TCDM Respiratory Protection Plan.

PAPR Safety

This course is designed to demonstrate how to safely use the Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR).

Additional Optional Training

Shipping Packages with Dry Ice

This course provides training for personnel that are shipping non-hazardous materials in packages containing dry ice. This training does not cover the shipment of hazardous and/or infectious materials in a package with dry ice. Contact EH&S for training to ship hazardous materials.

Liquid Nitrogen Safety

The content found in this course is for those working with liquid nitrogen in a laboratory setting. Upon completion, users will be able to describe the properties and hazards of liquid nitrogen, how to identify and handle it, and emergency response protocols in the event of an accident.

Formaldehyde Safety

This is a highly specific course provided for those working with formaldehyde. It’s designed to help researchers understand OSHA standards and requirements, health effects and exposure limits, as well as methods for proper disposal and spill response.

Lab Safety Checklists

The Lab Safety Orientation Checklist must be completed by anyone who is assigned the Laboratory Safety Orientation training. Access to the labs is restricted until training has been completed, this form has been filled out in conjunction with the Principal Investigator or Supervisor, then signed and returned to EHS. Visit the TouroOne portal and log in with your college credentials to access the most up-to-date version of the checklist.

How to Read a Safety Data Sheet

The guide, available on the TouroOne portal's EHS section, explains how to use a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), what the different sections of an SDS contain, as well as tips to ensure proper safety protocols are followed.