| indexIN THE LABORATORY
If your department has a Safety Guidelines Handbook, read it before the first lab.
Most TAs will be assigned a lab class to teach in a 3-5 hour period on a weekly basis for the duration of an academic term. As a TA you will generally be required to present short talks and demonstrations on theoretical and practical aspects of experiments; you may be required to give quizzes and tests, and to mark quizzes, laboratory assignments and reports. You are responsible for the safety of students and the control and organization of the class. You will probably be required to see students during office hours and attend meetings with the supervisor. Other aspects of your position might include tutoring or working as a lab assistant.
GETTING READY
1. Ask about the nature of your laboratory teaching responsibilities when you meet with your supervising professor. Find out details of marking assignments and departmental policies on cheating, non-attendance, and reports not handed in. The department may have a handbook on such matters. If you are to lead field trips, ask what transportation arrangements are in place: will you be expected to drive students? Must you use your own vehicle? Do you need a special license?
2. Confirm the dates and times you are expected to be teaching or demonstrating in the lab.
3. Familiarise yourself with emergency and safety procedures in your department, including emergency phone numbers, location of safety equipment, first-aid facilities, how to keep lab areas clean, procedures for handling chemicals, and disposing of waste. Read Classroom and Lab safety starting on page 37.
INFORM YOUR STUDENTS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCIES
1. While you are a TA you are responsible for the safety of your students. At the very first class, inform your students about lab safety rules. Repeat them several times in subsequent classes. If there is a departmental or course hand-out on lab safety, make sure every student receives a copy.
2. Tour the lab with your students making sure they know the location of first-aid kits and safety equipment.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
1. Explain how lab performance is to be marked and how the function of the labs tie in with other parts of the course. Talk about attendance at labs and the policy for make-up labs if any.
Explain what kind or reports are expected and in what format; explain the marking scheme, due dates and penalties for late reports. The above information should also be given to students as a handout.
2. Explain exactly what advance preparation you expect from your students before the lab, e.g. reading the lab manual.
3. Talk about what is and what is not acceptable, i.e. collaboration, acknowledgement, plagiarism, etc.
THE LABS
1. Understand the purpose and objectives of the lab so you know what your students are supposed to learn.
2. If you are unfamiliar with a lab exercise or procedure, try it out before the class.
3. Make sure you have data analyses and computations so you are able to check student answers.
4. Plan your lab. Write an introduction, prepare handouts and background material.
CONDUCTING SPECIFIC LABS
1. Get the lab started after a brief introduction covering the purpose and format of the lab together with the demonstration of procedures or equipment. Talk about particular safety precautions.
2. Think about working with students in small groups rather than addressing the whole class.
3. Circulate and check on your students frequently. If results are not as expected encourage students to speculate about reasons why.
4. Make sure students leave the lab clean and the equipment is put away properly.
5. Do a routine check at the end of the lab: turn off lights, lock equipment cabinets; check air, gas, and steam taps. Lock up the laboratory. Does the department have a checklist for ending labs?
INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS
1. Circulate among students during the lab to answer questions or give assistance.
2. Don't wait for students' questions, ask "What stage are you at?" or ask how things are going. Try not to hover.
3. If you don't know or are unsure of an answer to a student's question, say you will find out for them. Don't bluff.
4. Never let students think they asked a stupid question.
5. Treat your students with respect and be approachable.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Teaching Assistants at the University of Victoria have specific safety responsibilities which are outlined in the University's Occupational Health and Safety Policy under "Roles and Responsibilities" for faculty and staff. These are:
Faculty and Staff shall:
1. Comply with the University's safety policies and procedures, Workers' Compensation Act and Regulations, including the Industrial Health and Safety Regulations, and the provisions of applicable collective agreements and terms of appointment documents;
2. Seek guidance from their immediate supervisor concerning safetyrelated knowledge and skills required to ensure safe performance on the job;
3. Attend safety training programs and meetings as assigned;
4. Immediately report to their supervisor any workrelated accident, injury or near accident;
5. Immediately report to their supervisor any hazardous work practice or work condition;
6. Cooperate with the University Occupational Health and Safety Officer and the appropriate Occupational Health and Safety Committees of the University;
7. Comply with the health and safety policies and procedures of other institutions when they are engaged in Universityrelated activities in these other institutions; and
8. Arrange for the instruction and supervision of students in the safety aspects of classes or laboratories for which the faculty or staff member has responsibility.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD (WCB)
Graduate students may claim compensation for a workrelated injury if they were injured while working for the University (e.g. as a Teaching Assistant). Injuries sustained while working on individual research projects for graduate studies are not compensable. All University employees must follow the Workers' Compensation Board Industrial Health and Safety Regulations and specific University policies and procedures. For Teaching Assistants in the Sciences, the W.C.B.'s Laboratory Health and Safety Handbook is a good reference to laboratory safety.
Report all injuries to your supervisor and/or the department Administrative Officer. If it is a workrelated injury, three forms must be completed and returned to the Office of Occupational Health and Safety within 3 days of the date of injury.
FIRST AID
In the event of a medical emergency, call 911 and then Campus Security at 7599. Traffic and Security Patrol Officers are trained in Industrial First Aid.
FIRE
Know the location of firefighting equipment in your area and how to use it. Upon discovering fire or smoke, an individual's priorities shall be:
1. Save life in immediate danger if safe to do so.
2. Activate the nearest fire alarm.
3. Evacuate all personnel. DO NOT use the elevators for evacuation.
4. Isolate fire, if possible by closing doors and windows. DO NOT lock them.
5. Attempt to extinguish fire only if the fire is minor and appears to be controllable.
6. Stand by to assist fire personnel, if necessary.
7. DO NOT reenter the building until given the "All Clear" by the Fire Department.
EARTHQUAKES
Take action at the first indication of ground shaking.
IF INDOORS:
1. Stay inside; move away from windows, shelves, heavy objects and furniture that may fall. Take cover under a table or desk, or in a strong doorway (anticipate that doors may slam shut).
2. In halls, stairways or other areas where no cover is available, move to an interior wall. Turn away from windows, kneel alongside the wall, bend your head close to your knees, clasp your hands firmly behind your neck covering the sides of your head with your elbows.
3. In the library, move away from windows and bookshelves.
4. In laboratories, all burners should be extinguished (if possible) before taking cover. Stay clear of hazardous chemicals that may spill.
5. Elevators shall not be used. They are extremely vulnerable to damage from earthquakes. Ground shaking may cause counterweights and other components to be torn from their connections, causing extensive damage to the elevator cabs and operating mechanisms.
6. When exiting a building, move quickly through exits and away from buildings. Parapets and columns supporting roof overhangs may fall.
7. Assemble away from gas, sewer and power lines.
IF OUTDOORS:
1. Move to an open space away from buildings, trees and overhead power lines.
2. Lie down or crouch low to the ground (legs will not be steady) and constantly survey the area for additional hazards.
BIOSAFETY
All research projects using biological agents must be approved by the President's Committee on Biosafety and all individuals handling biological materials must follow the University's Biosafety Practices. For individuals handling human blood and tissues, consideration should be given to protecting themselves from the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) through the administration of the HBV vaccine. Further information and Biosafety training is available through the Biosafety Officer.
CHEMICAL SAFETY
The purpose of the Chemical Safety Program at the University of Victoria is to inform employees of the hazardous properties of compounds handled in the workplace, and to provide information on the safe handling and storage of these materials.
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a Canadian system designed to provide information to employees handling hazardous materials. Its purpose is to reduce the potential for injury and illness which may result from exposure to these materials. WHMIS came into effect in both federal and provincial law on October 31st, 1988 and the Workers' Compensation Board is the regulatory agency in British Columbia.
The 3 key elements of WHMIS are standardized labelling, Material Safety Data Sheets, and employee education. All University employees (including Teaching Assistants) who are handling hazardous materials must be trained in WHMIS. WHMIS training sessions are held regularly through the Office of Occupational Health and Safety.
Additional training is also given in the areas of spill cleanup procedures, personal protective equipment, and chemical storage.
RADIATION SAFETY
Use of radioactive materials is regulated by the Atomic Energy Control Act. As a result of License requirements, all use of radioactive materials must be approved by the President's Committee on Radioisotopes and Radiation Hazards. Individuals utilizing these materials must also receive proper instruction on the safe handling and disposal of radioactive sources, and be knowledgeable of the regulatory requirements. Radiation safety training is provided by the Office of Occupational Health and Safety.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Hazardous wastes are defined as hazardous materials which are no longer useful for their intended purpose. These materials are generated every day on campus by departments ranging from Visual Arts to the Sciences. It is the responsibility of the individual generator to ensure that all hazardous wastes are handled appropriately. No hazardous wastes may be discharged into the sanitary or storm sewers or sent to the landfill via the solid waste. The University's Hazardous Waste Management Program includes simple procedures for the collection and proper disposal of all hazardous wastes generated on campus. For assistance call the Waste Management Officer.
For further information on any Occupational Health and Safety issues please contact our office at 8879.