The Chemistry Department's Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) Unit is a dedicated laboratory health and safety function within UCT. It combines general occupational health and safety with specialist laboratory research protocols. It supports undergraduate, postgraduate and research laboratories, and acts as a trusted adviser to Chemistry, other faculties and external organisations.

The Unit's core services are hazardous chemical storage and waste disposal, laboratory-specific SOPs, policies and safety protocols, laboratory design and infrastructure input, ergonomic assessments, general health and safety audits and tailored short courses in laboratory health and safety.

CEM OHSE Unit Contact Details

Phone: +27 (0)21 650 4549
Email: cemohse@uct.ac.za

Basic Laboratory and Office Workstation Ergonomics

• Date: 17 November 2026
• Location: Online
• Time: 08:30 - 16:30

Prevent aches and injury: laboratory ergonomic risks, set up bench and desk, correct lift and movement habits.

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Health & Safety Fundamentals in a Chemical-Orientated Laboratory

• Date: 28 October 2026
• Location: Online
• Time: 08:30 - 16:30

Learn to recognise hazards, assess and control risks, and prepare for emergencies in a laboratory environment.

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Laboratory & Research Chemical Safety and Storage Management

• Date: 10 - 11 November 2026
• Location: Online
• Time: 08:30 - 16:30

Master chemical hazards, incompatibility, segregation & safe storage, GHS system, SDSs, waste management.

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Laboratory OHSE Representative

• Date: 19 November 2026
• Location: Online
• Time: 08:30 - 16:30

Build the legal knowledge, inspection, risk assessment, and incident investigation skills to build lab safety.

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