The safety of everyone on our team and in our community comes first. We take these responsibilities seriously and uphold a safe lab culture. Do your part to help us set a standard that encourages safe science.
If you see anything that seems unsafe, or even slightly raises a question, ask and act immediately rather than waiting. Raise any concern directly to Christina. Suggestions that make the lab safer are always appreciated.
How safety works here
This page is your reference: what to complete, who needs each item, and the standards behind them. The #safety Safety Hub in Slack is where you complete and track it all.
Find the Safety Hub in the member portal
What you must complete
Everyone completes the base set. For the rest, do only the rows whose badge matches your work or workspace. Complete each item in the Safety Hub.
Everyone must complete
| Requirement | Who |
|---|---|
| MAE annual safety trainingHappens monthly, sign up early and keep the certificate of completion | Everyone |
| Hazard Communication (LMS)UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals can be completed in lieu. | Everyone |
| PPE: Eye and Face Protection (LMS)Already completed UC Laboratory Safety Fundamentals or Hazard Communication? Upload that certificate in place of the PPE-Specific Training certificate. | Everyone |
| Review all relevant SOPs and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).Complete relevant Slack Workflow to acknowledge completion | Everyone |
| Initial Safety Training and site-specific walkthroughComplete relevant Slack Workflow, in-person walkthrough with your assigned trainer | Everyone |
Only if it applies to you
| Requirement | Who |
|---|---|
| Electrical Safety Awareness (LMS) | Wind tunnel researchers |
| Wind-tunnel operation and safety walkthroughReview the wind-tunnel operation manual, walkthrough completed with senior member or PI. | Wind tunnel researchers |
| Avian Specimen Handling SOP and introductory walkthroughGuided by senior member or PI. | Biomechanics researchers |
| ACU 101 courseRe-take the refresher every 3 years | CALI researchers |
| Care and Use of Birds, Owls and RaptorsIncludes zoonotic-disease review | CALI researchers |
| Animal Bites and Scratches procedures | CALI researchers |
| Animal Allergies information | CALI researchers |
| Animal PPE expectationsSee Working with live animals at CALI | CALI researchers |
| California Raptor Center requirementsask Christina for current guidelines | CALI researchers |
| Initial Safety Training, CALIComplete relevant Slack Workflow, includes the OHSS Risk Assessment and Health Surveillance Questionnaire | CALI researchers |
| IACUC Protocol ReviewComplete relevant Slack Workflow to be added to the relevant IACUC protocol rosters, one request per protocol. | CALI researchers |
Minimum personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Closed-toe shoes (no crocs).
- Full-length pants.
Additional equipment may be required depending on what you’re using. No food or drink is allowed in the main wind tunnel room.
Access levels
Your site-specific training approves you for specific spaces and activities:
- Office work: working in the office.
- Wind tunnel operation: operating the wind tunnel.
- Experiments: the back of the wind tunnel, the camera room, or CALI without animals.
Working with live animals at CALI 🦅
Additional PPE Requirements: Wear impact-rated eye protection whenever birds are unrestrained.
Once your initial CALI training workflow is complete, submit a request to be added to the relevant IACUC protocol rosters through the Safety Hub, one request per protocol. Active protocol and amendments PDFs are kept in the lab’s CALI Box folder. Once approved, protocols can also be reviewed at iacuc.ucdavis.edu/protocol.
Recurring safety schedule
Stay current on this cadence. Complete the annual items in the Safety Hub.
| What | How often |
|---|---|
| Annual MAE Training Refresher via MAE Safety Officer; Report with Slack Workflow in Safety Hub | Every year |
| Annual Site-Specific Training Refresher via Annual Lab Safety Meeting; Report with Slack Workflow in Safety Hub | Every year |
| ACU 101 refresher, for CALI via LMS | Every 3 years |
| Emergency-eyewash test and fire-extinguisher visual checks | Monthly |
| Lab cleaning day with the inspection checklist and self-inspection | Every 6 months |
| Internal EH&S General and Occupational Safety inspection | Annually |
Reporting incidents
- Injuries: report via UC Davis injury reporting.
- Animal bites or scratches: follow the Animal Bites and Scratches procedures and reporting process.
- Animal care or welfare concerns: report directly; see the IACUC policy on concern reporting.
Documentation
Keep these on hand. They are the documents you may need to show:
- Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP): maintained through the MAE Department (Safety).
- Emergency Action Plan (EAP): maintained through the MAE Department (Safety).
Member rights and obligations
You have the right to:
- Know about the hazards or any safety-related concerns within your lab space.
- Obtain hazard-specific training.
- Work in a properly designed, equipped, and maintained facility.
You are responsible for:
- Participating in training on how to identify hazards and control risks.
- Following UC Davis and BIRD Lab safety policies and procedures as outlined on this page and in all relevant trainings.
- Correcting any unsafe acts that fall within your ability and authority.
- Reporting any unsafe situation without fear of retaliation.
Further information on entitlements, rights, and obligations are provided within UC Davis training modules.
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