Andrew completed a summer scholarship program in workplace health and safety, receiving training in WHS skills like chemical labeling, SDS retrieval, and laboratory safety regulations. He was documented as competent in these areas as well as using standard operating procedures, appropriate PPE, and laboratory equipment. Andrew also received technical training in bioscience techniques including bacterial culture, DNA extraction and identification, and tissue culture. He demonstrated reliable work, punctuality, teamwork skills, independence, record keeping, communication, and initiative during the program.

1.
28 January 2016
To: Whom it may Concern
This is to certify that Andrew Collaro has completed a summer scholarship program in
workplace health and safety in the School of Natural Sciences during December 2015.
During this time Andrew has been provided with training regarding workplace health and
safety and in how to perform other technical activities. Andrew has been documented to
be competent in the following WH&S skills:
• Chemical Labeling and GHS compliance (Globally harmonized system)
• Use of Chemwatch system and retrieval of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Generic computer skills in data entry and basic database management
• Preparing and use of Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs);
• Access to PC2 biology research laboratories and familiarisation with the operation
and safety regulations for these spaces.
• Appropriate PPE to wear in different laboratories
• Familiarisation and successful completion of on-line safety training modules
Andrew also completed a chemical training program with professional staff of the
University. The topics covered in this program were:
• Changing Legislation
• Chemical Classification - Globally Harmonised System, (GHS) & Australian
Dangerous Goods Code
• Chemical Labelling
• Drugs and Poisons
• Nanomaterials
• Chemical Safety Management
• Safety Data Sheets
• Hazardous chemical register/inventory
• Chemical storage and segregation
• Risk Assessment
• Spill control
• Waste disposal
• Hazardous zoning extents
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Incident reporting
Associate Professor Kathryn Tonissen
Deputy Head of School,
School of Natural Sciences
Telephone: +61 (0)7 3735 7565
Facsimile: +61 (0)7 3735 7773
www.griffith.edu.au
Nathan Campus, Griffith University
Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
K.Tonissen@griffith.edu.au

2. In addition Andrew has received technical training within the biosciences laboratories and has
been trained in the following techniques and experimental procedures
• Preparation of medium for culturing bacteria.
• Culturing and handling bacterial isolates with aseptic technique.
• Conducting growth studies on bacterial isolates and determining growth
characteristics by optical density (OD) readings.
• Extraction and purification of high molecular weight genomic DNA from a
bacterial isolate
• Amplification of 16S rRNA gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
• Purification of the PCR product.
• Determining quality and quantity of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis.
• Identifying bacterial isolates from 16S rRNA gene sequence using BLAST.
• Sub-culture of suspension tissue culture cells (multiple myeloma) and use of
standard tissue culture equipment
During the scholarship program Andrew has also shown evidence of the following
generic skills:
• Reliability- work always completed satisfactorily and by the expected time
• Punctuality- always turned up at specified times
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills (with supervisors and with peers)
• Working with minimal supervision
• Laboratory record keeping in notebooks
• Time management and organizational skills
• High level communication skills with peers and supervisors
• Initiative- has worked out solutions to problems
• Produced an instructional video regarding the labeling of chemicals
The following online safety training modules have been successfully completed.
• Annual Fire Safety
• Health and Safety Induction
• Laboratory and Workshop Safety
• General Biosafety
• Genetic Biosafety
• High Risk Biological dealings
• Quarantine Biosafety
• Manual Tasks/Ergonomics
• Practical Hazard and Incident Management
• Wellbeing for Work and life
If you require any further information, please feel free to contact me.
Associate
Professor
Kathryn
Tonissen
Deputy
Head
of
School
(WH&S,
Learning
and
Teaching)