EETD Training Policy

9/27/02
Revised: 1/23/07

Lab Policy Regarding Training:

LBNL policy and federal law requires that all staff, participating guests, students, and others who perform work at, or for, LBNL receive appropriate training necessary to protect their health and perform work in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Personnel who are given employment status by the Lab (or anyone who has an LBNL ID number) must accept the duty to be adequately trained so they can conduct their LBNL related work safely and responsibly.

The Job Hazard Questionnaire (JHQ):

The JHQ is the primary tool used to determine what training is required to work safely. All employees (including guests, students, faculty, and contractors issued LBNL badges) must complete the JHQ within 30 days of appointment. The JHQ must be updated annually and whenever the employee's scope of work significantly changes. It takes about 10 minutes to fill out or update the JHQ at http://training.lbl.gov (no LDAP account required). After filling out the JHQ, the employee should check their training requirements and completion status by clicking on the Training Profile link on the training.lbl.gov website.

General Employee Radiation Training (GERT):

Because of the potential to come across radiation control areas in LBNL buildings, all employees (including guests, students, faculty, and contractors issued LBNL badges) must take GERT before working onsite without an escort. Retraining is required every 2 years. It takes about 15 minutes to satisfy this requirement by reading the GERT information and taking the quiz online. (A waiver is strongly discouraged (especially because compliance is so easy), but can be issued if the employee never comes onsite or is escorted all the time while onsite.)

Introduction to Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) at LBNL Training (EHS0010):

As specified in JHQ question A1, the EHS-10 training course is required for anyone working on the main site, PGF, Donner, Calvin, 903, 937, 941, 943, or 977. EHS0010 training must be completed within 30 days of appointment. Those who never come onsite or who only occasionally come onsite for meetings or seminars can answer JHQ question A1 "no" and they don't have to take EHS0010.

Other Training:

In addition to GERT and EHS-10 training discussed above, additional training and certification are required for work involving special hazards, identified by completing the JHQ. The training requirements and completion status are listed on the employee's Training Profile (found under "Reports" at http://training.lbl.gov). With the exception of GERT and EHS-10 training discussed above, any other required training (as determined by the JHQ) must be completed within 90 days of appointment.

Many courses have web-based training modules or challenge exams, available on the Training website. Also, the Division Safety Coordinator or EH&S Training staff can give advise on obtaining training waivers for equivalent training obtained elsewhere.

Training Grace Period:

Until required training has been satisfied, the employee, participating guest, student, or visitor is allowed to work for up to 90 calendar days (upon beginning work at the Lab or upon initiating work that introduces new hazards) as authorized by his/her line manager, based on such factors as the nature of the work to be performed, the worker's previous education and experience with the work to be undertaken, and the specific on-the-job training information transferred to the worker. On-the-Job training must be documented in accordance with the guidance contained in Appendix A of PUB-3000, Chapter 24, and must be retained as evidence of completion.

The 90-day grace period for acquiring EH&S training does NOT apply to training requirements dictated by formal authorizations (e.g., Activity Hazard Documents, Radiation Work Authorizations, and Biological Use Authorizations). An employee may NOT conduct work covered by an authorization until associated required training has been completed.

Course Schedules & Registering:

Employees can find course schedules and register for training courses by clicking on the "Register for Training" link at the LBNL EH&S Training website.

Off-Site Work (including the UCB campus):

Responsibilities regarding filling out the JHQ, training, safety, and work practices applies to all personnel with an LBNL ID number while working at or for LBNL. This applies whether you work on-site, in Washington DC, at an off-site research site, or on the UCB campus; and it applies to staff, guests, students, and faculty. Personnel working off-site are required to adhere to all ES&H training requirements stipulated by any host institution or existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). In the absence of such requirements or in the event training requirements are not deemed equivalent, LBNL requirements must be completed.

Personnel working for LBNL at another institution (such as UCB, LLNL, or a private company) may have training that may be judged equivalent or adequate to cover the hazards related to the work performed for LBNL. With concurrence from the employee's supervisor, they can be given credit for this equivalent training by the Division Safety Coordinator. EH&S staff are available to help evaluate individual situations.

Ergonomics Training & Workstation Evaluations:

Ergonomics training (EHS-60) is required and an ergonomic workstation evaluation (EHS-68) is recommended if an employee uses a computer for LBNL related work for more than an average of 4 hours per day. A workstation evaluation is required for new hires, if an employee experiences any musculoskeletal discomfort, if significant changes are made to the workstation set-up, or if the workstation is moved to a new location.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

Complete with the employee or review the results of the Job Hazard Questionnaire to identify EH&S training requirements and recommendations.
Review with the employee and update each employee's JHQ annually or more frequently based on significant changes in work assignment.
Identify EH&S training requirements and other training needs specific to the job responsibilities, operations, and hazards to which their personnel may be exposed. Ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for on-the-job training (see PUB-3000, Chap. 24, Appendix A).
Ensure that all personnel under their supervision satisfy pertinent EH&S training requirements before beginning work, or within the first 90 calendar days of beginning work or initiating work that introduces new hazards. During this 90 day grace period, ensure personnel are authorized through previous experience, education, or documented OJT.
Provide and document job- and hazard-specific training for all personnel (including new employees) whenever procedural changes or system modifications have an impact on safety. Maintain written documentation of all such training (see Appendix A).
Include EH&S training requirements in annual employee training plans and performance expectations, and assess completion in the PRD process.

More Information:

PUB-3000, Chapter 24, EH&S Training
JHQ and Training Quick Reference Guide found on the EETD EH&S website briefly summarizes JHQ and training requirements.
Guy Kelley, EETD safety coordinator, x4703,