Getting Started
Follow the process below to get started:
🧠Getting Started in the Lab
Before beginning lab work at WesternU, all researchers—students, employees, and volunteers—must complete onboarding, safety training, and orientation steps. This ensures you are prepared, protected, and in compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.
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đź“ť Step-by-Step Process
- Submit the Onboarding Form: Have Operations or your hiring contact complete the New Research Personnel Form to start the onboarding process. Volunteers need to have Risk Management documents fill out as well!
- 🤝 Non-WesternU Volunteers
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All non-WesternU volunteers must be approved through Risk Management.
- Must be sponsored by a WesternU PI or Department
- Submit the Volunteer Approval Packet to Risk Management
- Complete all applicable safety trainings
- No access is granted without written Risk Management clearance
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đź“© Contact: riskmanagement@westernu.edu
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- Complete Required Trainings: Several training modules must be completed before you are granted lab access. These include safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety, and more, depending on your work.
đź“‹ Required Online Trainings & Providers
Refer to this table to determine which trainings are required and who provides them:
| Training | Required For | Provided By |
|---|---|---|
| Vector Trainings | All lab personnel | EHS (Online) |
| CITI Trainings | All lab personnel | Office of Research Regulatory Affairs (Online) |
- Request Lab Access: Once you complete online training, your supervisor or lab manager will submit your access request for specific rooms and buildings.
- Review the General Lab Safety Guide: Familiarize yourself with PPE requirements, hazardous waste handling, and WesternU’s emergency procedures.
- Attend Orientation: Schedule a walkthrough with the Office of Institutional Core Facilities (Pomona) or your supervisor (Lebanon) and complete the EHS New Personnel Checklist.
đź“‹ Required Trainings & Providers during Orientation
Refer to this table to determine which trainings are required and who provides them:
| Training | Required For | Provided By |
|---|---|---|
| General Laboratory Safety | All lab personnel | EHS & Lab Managers (Power Point) |
| Chemical Hygiene | Anyone working with chemicals | EHS & Lab Managers |
| Biosafety (BSL2 & ABSL2) | Personnel in biosafety labs | EHS & Office of Animal Resources |
| Radiation Safety | Only if using radioactive materials | Office of Research Regulatory Affairs |
| SafeZone App Training | All researchers (campus safety) | Core Lab Staff or Lab Manager |
| Instrument-Specific SOPs | Prior to using shared core equipment | Core Lab Staff or Lab Manager |
- Sign SOPs & Acknowledgments: Review and sign SOPs and lab-specific orientation documents as part of your onboarding packet.
đź“Ž Helpful Downloads
- New Researcher Checklist (PDF)
- Volunteer Packet for Risk Management (PDF) (NEED)
- General Lab Safety Guide (PDF)
📬 Questions? Contact:
- Risk Management: riskmanagement@westernu.edu
- Environmental Health & Safety (EHS): ehs@westernu.edu
- Office of Research Regulatory Affairs: researchregulatoryaffairsoffice@westernu.edu
- For Vivarium and Animal Training: oar@westernu.edu
New Hire FAQ
- ADP is used to keep track of hours, vacation, sick time, and pay. To login, use your WesternU email and password. All other information can be found at ADP.Â
- Questions regarding Benefits, Payroll, etc should be emailed to employment-team@westernu.edu
- Clock out too early or too late? Email timereporting@westernu.edu and cc whoever oversees your time card. NO CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.Â
- More Information can be found here:Â
- Campus Security will assist in all documents from your badge, parking permits, and provide escorts to your car if you need it.
- EHS provides all chemical oversight and waste management. We have a helpful Guide on how to Access SciShield.Â
- You can find more information under Institutional Shared Services.
All employees should have an assigned computer. Shared equipment computers are not allowed for your daily work.Â
IT has an entire cheat sheet of everything you need to know!
If you are looking for printer paper or ink, please contact  receiving@westernu.eduÂ
Are you an international exchange visitor, staff, or faculty? Click here!Â