The safety of our researchers and of the community as a whole are of paramount importance to CETRI. The nature of laboratory work and pilot plant testing presents unique challenges and situations, requiring specific training and careful preparation and hazard analysis prior to conducting any work. We believe that productive, impactful research first begins with safe research.

All lab personnel are trained Chemical Laboratory Safety, including safe handling and storage of chemicals and equipment, laboratory hazard prevention, safe clean-up and disposal of hazardous materials, and University safety and emergency procedures and expectations. Additionally, researchers are required to review or develop laboratory procedures and risk analyses prior to conducting any experimental work – even for routine tasks.

Unique safety challenges researchers must address include:

  • Extreme high temperatures (e.g. in catalyst calcination)
  • Cryogenic temperatures (e.g. in catalyst characterization)
  • Flammable, high pressure gases (e.g. in reactor studies)
  • Specialized reactor conditions (e.g. autoclave reactors)
  • Radiation risks (e.g. in gas chromatography)
  • High voltages (e.g. in electric pulse setup)
  • Mechanical & projectile risks (e.g. centrifuges)
  • Toxic Gases (e.g. NO2 in amine degradation studies)

In consultation and cooperation with the University faculty and staff, occupational health and safety committees, students, contractors, and visitors, CETRI seeks to ensure that the occupational health and safety requirements of  The Saskatchewan Employment Act and The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, other applicable legislation with supporting guidelines and procedures, and the University’s Health and Safety Management System are fully implemented and integrated into all CETRI’s research activities.

CETRI strives to exceed the legislated requirements by adopting the current leading practices available to protect the research community and to promote a positive health and safety culture.  CETRI continues to work towards the continuous improvement of its health and safety programs.