Workplace Safety Training

To enroll: Call Environmental Health & Safety at x8935 or by email at Safety@plu.edu.

All staff can access online training for the use of fire extinguishers via the Safe Colleges training platform. PLU EH&S offers in-person, hands-on training periodically. Contact safety@plu.edu for more information.

* Recommended for Emergency Building Coordinators, Facilities Management Personnel, RD’s/RA’s/CA’s and Campus Safety Personnel.

All workers who have occupational exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens must receive training within 10 days of working at PLU and prior to handling any potentially contaminated materials.  Training must be repeated annually.

Required for Environmental Services, Campus Safety First Responders, and Healthcare Personnel, as well as any other workers who have potential for occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Training can be provided in-person or online, and is assigned to some workers automatically via the SAfe Colleges training platform. This training must be completed prior to performing any tasks which could expose workers to potentially infectious materials. If you would like to receive or assign this training, or for more information, contact safety@plu.edu

Custodial, Maintenance, Telecommunications, and Media Services employees who may come into contact with asbestos containing materials during routine activities receive instruction from their supervisors prior to working in areas where these materials may be present. Project Managers are responsible for communicating asbestos information to contractors. Contact safety@plu.edu for more information.

EHS typically offers a first aid course annually in the fall. This course is free to PLU Students, Faculty, Staff and Administrators.

Space is limited to 25 participants for each session and filled on a 1st Come – 1st Reserved basis.

An announcement will be sent out prior to training availability. A confirmation reply will be sent to all that register.

* Recommended for Emergency Building Coordinators, Emergency Operations Response Members, Facilities Management Personnel and Safety Committee Members.

PLU forklift training is provided by skilled Facilities Management personnel, and includes classroom instruction on the physical principles of safe forklift operation as well as hands-on personal instruction until each worker can demonstrate skilled operation. Only those who have been pre-approved may attend.  Contact your supervisor or fama@plu.edu for more information.

General chemical hazard communication training can be provided online via the Safe Colleges platform– contact safety@plu.edu for assistance in assigning this training.  Supervisors are expected to train employees in handling any hazardous materials used within their department. Required for all employees (including supervisors) who are exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace, including, but not limited to: Natural Sciences, Facilities Management, Art Department, and Dining Services.

Learn how to reduce your potential for injury through a better understanding of how the body works, stretches that increase the capacity for the body to respond to physical stresses, and proper techniques for moving materials. basic training for safe lifting can be provided online via the Safe Colleges platform-contact safety@plu.edu for assistance in assigning this training.

This training is suggested for Facilities Management, Conferences and Events, Stage Services, Dining Services, Bookstore, and other employees who move heavy or awkward materials.

PLU EH&S provides general tips for setting up your workstation here.

For an overall ergonomic assessment, or for access to an online office ergonomics course, please contact Mary Jones at x7233, or e-mail safety@plu.edu.

Ladders are commonly used and misused. This class will show you how to use a ladder safely even for those awkward, uneven situations. Provided by Jim Sims, Labor and Industries Safety Consultant.

Recommended for Maintenance, Grounds, Media Services, Computing and Telecommunications, and others who use ladders.

Stop playing twister at work. Learn to be on the lookout for common hazards that contribute to fall injuries.

Open to all employees. Required for Facilities Management, Dining Services, Computing and Telecommunications, and Media Services personnel.

PLU does not currently maintain a Respiratory Protection Program, but does provide dust masks (“filtering facepieces”) to protect against nuisance levels of particulates.  These are intended for voluntary use only.  Please contact your supervisor or the PLU Environmental Health & Safety Manager with any concerns regarding respiratory protection or respiratory hazards at your work site.

For the full text of the respiratory protection requirements in the State of Washington here.

Required for Maintenance, Custodial, Campus Safety, Mail Room and Natural Sciences staff that may work around radioactive materials. A more in-depth training is also required for faculty and students authorized to handle radioactive materials. Contact the Radiation Safety Officer at x7550.

If you supervise or lead other PLU employees, you must also wear the white safety hat. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees are trained in safe work practices. They must also enforce PLU safety policies and regulatory requirements. This can be overwhelming. Get a grip on your safety responsibility as a supervisor with this introductory course in safety at PLU.

In addition, supervisors must attend specific training courses that are required for employees.