Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) published a new focus sheet on Avian Influenza, commonly known as “bird flu.” This resource is intended to help the UW community stay informed on recent bird flu activity, ways to stay healthy, and how to report sick or dead wildlife.
While the current health risk to the public is low, sick animals and people have been reported in Washington state.
STAY HEALTHY
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) recognizes the impact of federal funding and policies creating uncertainties on our research community. In the case that researchers receive a directive from a federal funding agency to stop, pause, suspend, or terminate activities, we provide the following resources:
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published regulation changes for 2025, which may impact University units and departments that ship dangerous goods by air.
If you ship dangerous goods, please note the following significant changes:
Each year, thousands of workers are killed, and millions more are injured or diseased because of their jobs. Please join us on Worker Memorial Day to honor those who have died in 2024 from a work-related injury or illness in King County. This special ceremony will raise awareness
The University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Worker Memorial Day 2025 event is a special ceremony that raises awareness about strengthening our commitment to making jobs safer and saving lives in Washington State.
Processes for treatment and disposal of animal biosafety level 1 (ABSL-1) animal carcasses have been updated with input from the UW Infectious Waste Committee and the UW Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). These updates were made to align with current regulatory requirements and best practices.
Updated ABSL-1 waste treatment and disposal procedures
ABSL-1 animal waste will now be packaged and sent for off-site incineration.
In May 2025, two new federal policy frameworks impacting research are scheduled to be implemented. More information will be provided prior to implementation. We understand that these new policies are proceeding based on the current information that we have. However, with the federal government administration change, the policies and timelines are subject to change.
In the event of a spill or exposure to biohazardous materials, established response procedures and reporting requirements apply to all students and personnel of the UW. Researchers should review and share this information with laboratory personnel.
Exposure response for incidents involving biohazardous materials
Help raise awareness of safe lab practices at the UW!
Lab Safety Awareness Week is sponsored by CSHEMA and held at academic institutions nationwide February 10-14, 2025. This event is dedicated to recognizing the successes of laboratory safety programs and offering ideas on how to keep our faculty, staff and students safe.
Be a Safety Champion in your lab and receive a prize!
Why should labs have a standard operating procedure (SOP) for a chemical when the manufacturer safety data sheet (SDS) is available? Both documents are required in the lab and offer different types of important information about a chemical.
Use the SOPs versus SDSs Focus Sheet to understand the types of information provided by each document and how to effectively use them as part of your laboratory’s chemical hygiene plan.
Chemical waste generators will soon have a new, faster way to submit a Routine Chemical Waste Collection Request.
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is in the process of adding QR codes on all routine waste carboys to make submitting a collection request quick and easy:
Scan the QR code on the carboy.