Safety Week
Let's create a safer future together!
Know how to respond to chemical spills
Monday May 4 | 9: 30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Main Campus
Wednesday May 6 | 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Alta Vista Campus
In-person training
Users of hazardous materials need to be aware of the hazards of the materials they are working with and how to respond to a spill. In most cases, users can safely clean up a spill themselves using a spill kit, but some circumstances require additional measures such as evacuation of a lab or specialized equipment and PPE. In this course, you will learn to determine if you should clean up a spill yourself, and how to do so using a basic spill kit.
Learn how to use a fire extinguisher!
Monday May 4 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | RGN Atrium
Wednesday May 6 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Social Sciences Building lobby
Friday May 8 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | 200 Lees Atrium
Celebrate Safety Week and Emergency Preparedness Week by stopping by interactive fire prevention booth hosted by the Emergency Management team. Learn essential fire safety best practices and emergency preparedness tips through engaging conversations with experts. Participants will also experience hands‑on training using a laser fire extinguisher, allowing you to practice how to quickly and safely extinguish simulated fires on a screen. Build confidence, sharpen skills, and strengthen fire safety awareness in a fun, memorable way.
Monday's session - Add to your calendar
Be kind to your spine – Ergonomics of manual handling
Tuesday May 5 | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | STEM (French)
Tuesday May 5 | 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | STEM (English)
Discover how smarter ergonomics can make work safer, easier, and more efficient. Designed for industrial and labour‑intensive environments, the session will address repetitive tasks, awkward postures, and manual handling challenges. Learn simple, practical ways to work more safely and comfortably to reduce your risk of injury.
PPE seminar - Benefits of appropriate PPE selection based on chemical breakthrough times
Wednesday May 6 | 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | STEM, STM364
Join us for an engaging presentation by Fisher/Ansell that focuses on smarter PPE selection and chemical safety. Learn how choosing the right protective gloves can significantly reduce risk. Industry experts will explain chemical breakthrough times and show you how to select gloves matched to specific chemicals and job tasks. Gain practical, real world insights you can apply immediately to enhance your safety whenever you work with chemicals in the laboratory, in a workshop or even at home.
PPE seminar – PPE selection for safe handling and spill response
Wednesday May 6 | 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | STEM, STM364
Gain practical, real‑world guidance at this engaging session on PPE and chemical safety lead by VWR. The discussion will focus on PPE in terms of safe handling of chemicals and solvents, spill control, and building strong risk awareness in daily operations. Learn how proper PPE selection and proactive safety practices will help keep you safe whenever you interact with chemicals.
PPE Trade Show
Wednesday May 6 | 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | STEM, Floor 0 in front of Science Store
Explore the latest in personal protective equipment at this exciting PPE Trade Show featuring Fisher/Ansell and VWR. Discover innovative products and speak directly with industry experts. Learn how new PPE technologies can improve protection and comfort across a wide range of work environments. This interactive event is a great opportunity to ask questions, compare options, and strengthen your understanding of PPE options for the hazards you face, whether at work or at home.
Office Ergonomics
Thursday May 7 | 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | STEM (English)
Thursday May 7 | 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. | STEM (French)
Improve your comfort, posture, and productivity at this workshop on workstation setup. When a workstation isn’t properly adjusted, you can quickly develop tension, stiffness, and discomfort. This session will guide participants through setting up their workstation correctly by, focusing on posture, positioning and simple adjustments that reduce physical strain. Learn easy, effective strategies to prevent discomfort and support long‑term health in your day‑to‑day work.
Register for workstation setup training 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.(English)
Register for workstation setup training 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (French)
Seminar on safety and wellbeing
Friday May 8 | 10 a.m. to noon | CRX
The Office of the Chief Risk Officer – Protection Services and Student Affairs – Wellness sector are presenting a seminar on fostering a culture of empathy, safety and wellbeing across campus. This seminar, aimed at faculty, staff and volunteers, will feature insights on service mandates, trauma-informed awareness, de-escalation techniques, and available tools and resources.
Become a uOttawa Workplace First Aider: First Aid and CPR Level C (with AED) training
Tuesday and Wednesday May 5 and 6 | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | English – Limited spaces available
This standard first aid and CPR (level C) course is designed for University of Ottawa workplace first-aiders. The course covers specific organizational practices, as well as applicable legislation, with time also set aside for practice. If you’d like to learn more about the University's first-aid program or want to volunteer as a workplace first aider, please contact [email protected].
Workplace first aiders are also required to attend an additional brief orientation session.
Register for first aid/CPR training on May 5 and 6 (English)
the next sessions in French will be planned for Q4, 2026
