Certified OSHA Laboratory Safety Specialist Course (COLSS)

Course Description

The Certified OSHA Laboratory Safety Specialist Course (COLSS) is a comprehensive certification program designed for laboratory professionals, safety officers, researchers, supervisors, educators, and compliance personnel responsible for maintaining safe laboratory environments. This course provides in-depth training on OSHA laboratory safety requirements, hazard recognition, chemical hygiene, exposure prevention, and regulatory compliance to help organizations protect laboratory personnel and maintain a safe workplace.

Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the OSHA Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHPs), laboratory risk assessments, and best practices for handling chemical, biological, physical, and ergonomic hazards. The curriculum also covers chemical storage and compatibility, hazardous waste management, personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls, ventilation systems, laboratory emergency preparedness, spill response, fire safety, exposure control, and incident reporting procedures.

Through practical examples and real-world applications, students will learn how to identify laboratory hazards, conduct safety inspections, implement effective control measures, develop Chemical Hygiene Plans, and respond appropriately to laboratory emergencies. Upon successful completion, participants will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to improve laboratory safety, ensure OSHA compliance, and promote a strong culture of health and safety in research, healthcare, educational, and industrial laboratory settings.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand OSHA Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) requirements, and laboratory regulatory compliance obligations.
• Identify laboratory hazards, including chemical, biological, physical, radiological, ergonomic, and fire-related risks.
• Apply safe laboratory work practices, chemical handling procedures, storage requirements, engineering controls, and exposure prevention strategies.
• Conduct laboratory hazard assessments, safety inspections, and implement appropriate risk control measures to protect laboratory personnel.
• Demonstrate effective emergency response procedures, including spill control, first aid, fire response, evacuation, and incident reporting.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive laboratory safety programs that support OSHA compliance, employee training, and continuous safety improvement.

Requirements

• none