Special Forms and Permits

Special permits are required whenever the following circumstances apply in your research:

  • The work involves a designated substance under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • The work involves experiments which must be left running overnight.
  • The work involves the used of cryogenics such as liquid nitrogen.
  • The work involves radioactive or biohazardous materials.

Designated Substance Permit

There are eleven chemicals the Ministry of Labour has classified as Designated Substances. They are lead compounds, mercury compounds, asbestos, benzene, vinyl chlorides, acrylonitrile, silica, coke oven emissions, ethylene oxide, isocyanates and construction related asbestos. Each substance requires special storage and handling. In addition, the Department has designated the following substances as hazardous, and requires that a permit be obtained before their use: Carbon disulfide, Carbon tetrachloride, Formaldehyde, Styrene, Hydrogen sulfide, Cyanide, HF, and Cadmium. Permits for the use of designated substances may be obtained from the CHE H&S Committee or by clicking on the link above, should be filled in and signed by the researcher and the supervisor, and then submitted along with the researcher’s Research Registration Form.

Leave on Overnight Permit

Specific control measures must be in place before a permit to authorize the use of a designated substance will be issued. Permits for the use of designated substances may be obtained from CHE H&S Committee or by clicking on the link above, should be filled in and signed by the researcher and the supervisor, and then submitted along with the researcher’s Research Registration Form.

Cryogenics Gas Law Calculation

Specific control measures must be in place before the use of cryogenics (eg. liquid nitrogen) will be permitted. A calculation must be done to ensure that 20% oxygen remain in the laboratory should the whole container of cryogen spill. If 20% oxygen cannot be ensured, then certain precautions must be put in place before authorization for the cryogen use is granted. Please see the EH&S Cryogen Control Procedures website for more information as to what would be required. A calculation sheet for cryogenics use may be obtained from Leticia Gutierrez in WB217 or by clicking on the link above, and should be completed and submitted along with the researcher’s Research Registration Form.

U of T Forms and Permits (Radiography, Biosafety, etc. through EH&S )

Work with radioactive materials requires a special permit and special training from the University of Toronto Radiation Protection Authority (x84876). A copy of the training certificate should be attached to the Research Registration Form.

Anyone working with biohazards should consult with their supervisor regarding proper training and to ensure their name is officially added to the supervisor’s Biosafety Certificate through the University of Toronto Biosafety Committee (x83981). All researchers working with biohazards must take the full biosafety training course offered through the UofT Biosafety office, and a training certificate should be attached to the Research Registration Form.