The Hazardous Substances Training in Continuing Education Program with the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety exists to improve occupational and environmental health and safety through the transmission of relevant hazardous substance training to individuals responsible for hazardous materials identification, management and remediation in their workplace.  This includes persons engaged in hazardous materials response at the local, tribal, and state levels.  This program is committed to offer training in the core disciplines as well as interdisciplinary programs covering a wide spectrum of interest and skill levels with introductory and advanced courses in hazard specific and/or industry specific topics as well as emerging hazardous substances issues.

Browse the course catalog for face-to-face training in Confined Space Entry and Retrieval, Respiratory Protection, and 24/40 Hr. Site Worker Training or 24/40 Emergency Response Training certification courses. Scholarships are available to local, tribal, and state government workers.  Please email Ruth Rasmussen at rasmu048@umn.edu.

Online courses

Radiological Hazard Awareness for Public Health Workers
The module will present ways to classify hazards, properties that make radiological materials hazardous, occasions when public health workers may respond to hazardous radiological issues, and examples of public health responses to hazardous radiological incidents. Important definitions, classifications, health effects, federal, state and local legal responsibilities and resources for continued study on this topic are also included.

Chemical Hazard Awareness for Public Health Workers
The module will present ways to classify hazards, properties that make chemicals hazardous, occasions when public health workers may respond to hazardous chemical issues, examples of public health responses to hazardous chemical incidents. Important definitions, classifications, health effects, federal, state and local legal responsibilities and resources for continued study on this topic are also included.

Peter C. Raynor, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health,
Ph.D., Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998,
M.S., Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1993,
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Cornell University, 1986

Dr. Raynor's research interests include Exposure control, Exposure assessment, Industrial hygiene, Air filtration, Ventilation, Personal protective equipment and respiratory protection, Airborne biological agents, Measurement of volatile and semi-volatile aerosols, Metalworking fluids, and Aerosol physics. Dr. Raynor received the Faculty Excellence Award in Environmental Health Sciences from graduating class, University of Minnesota, 2001 and a Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1995-1998.  He has published numerous articles in peer reviewed literature.