Safety Platform for Research and Occupational Health at the University of Toronto (SPROUT)

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is embarking on an initiative to upgrade and modernize the existing systems used for EHS training, management of all research compliance permits (biosafety, radiation safety, laser, cannabis), medical surveillance and respiratory fit-testing, and EHS inspections. The new secure cloud-based system (SPROUT – Safety Platform for Research & Occupational health at U of T) will come online in a phased manner. 

Once the migration is complete, all existing paper/PDF-based EHS permit application, review, and management systems will be fully moved over to SPROUT. The new system will allow users to perform the same functions they are familiar with in a streamlined interface and with new functionalities.

Log Into SPROUT

Benefits

The migration of the legacy training and permit management systems to SPROUT will bring numerous benefits to U of T’s research and innovation community, including the following:

  1. A modern and adaptive user interface that replaces the former My EHS Training portal and paper/PDF versions of permits
  2. A central and secure cloud-based dashboard for principal investigators, non-research supervisors, and personnel who handle regulated materials and hazards
  3. System notifications that push important, actionable information out to users
  4. A more efficient permit application and review process

Background

EHS supports many health and safety related administrative functions at the University. These functions include health and safety training, medical surveillance, chemical inventory management, health and safety inspections, and permitting for research with biological materials and hazards, radioactive materials, lasers, and cannabis. At present, many of these functions are carried out using PDF or paper-based administrative processes that are not linked to each other or other internal U of T systems, such as HRIS, ROSI, RIS, or Quercus. While the current processes are functional, they are not very efficient and do not leverage the benefits of modern cloud-based software systems. As we transition to the SPROUT platform, EHS’ services will be supported by a robust new platform that will better interconnect the University’s existing programs and data to better serve the health and safety needs of the community.

What’s Changing?

As part of Phase One: Training tracking, the management, tracking and administration of health and safety training will be migrated from My EHS Training to the new training module within SPROUT. This will launch on December 1, 2025.

My EHS Training (Old System)

  • Two layers of authentication required for login.
  • Access requires an active VPN session.
  • Training histories are only available in a downloadable PDF without accessibility features and records require 2-weeks to update.
  • Training reminders and expiry warning not available to users

SPROUT (New System)

  • Cloud based and accessible anywhere.
  • No VPN required and access via any web browser.
  • All personal records for online courses are available on an accessible desktop and mobile webpage within 48 hours of course completion.
  • Training reminders and expiry warnings will be available to users in early 2026.

What Next?

SPROUT will build on the strengths of the current EHS permitting system while bringing additional benefits to researchers, including the following:

    1. Online permits and forms with paperless submission, review, and approval;
    2. Amendments and renewals to permits can be easily submitted without re-entering information;  
    3. Simplified and accurate management of research and occupational group rosters;
    4. Safety training records visible to faculty, supervisors, and their respective groups;
    5. Tracking of safety equipment that requires regulatory certification;
    6. Integration with key U of T systems:
      1. UTORid and password authentication (UTORAuth)
      2. Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
      3. My Research Applications & Agreements (MRA)
      4. My Research Animal Protocols (MRAP)
      5. My Research Human Protocols (MRHP)
      6. Repository of Student Information (ROSI)
      7. Quercus (EHS course Information)
    7. Enhanced data security;
    8. Real-time updates to environmental health and safety data; and
    9. Inspection reports and closeout.

If you have questions about SPROUT, please contact the EHS Office or reach out to ehs.sprout@utoronto.ca