The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) is implementing a new Boating Safety Program for students, faculty, and staff who use University of Washington (UW)-owned boats or operate boats as part of their affiliation with the University. The Boating Safety Program is a University-wide program that manages not only motored vessels, but non-motorized paddle-craft as well.
As of May 1, 2019, personnel who conduct work in University animal care and use areas will no longer have the option to decline the initial animal use medical screening. The medical screening evaluates and mitigates potential health risks related to working with research animals.
During your lab’s next EH&S survey visit, you will be asked a new question from the survey checklist if PPE is adequately available for everyone. The desired response to this question is a confident “Yes!”
Do you assess the risk in your lab work? It is important to conduct a risk assessment whenever a new experiment, procedure or project is developed in your lab. A risk assessment focuses on hazard identification at each step or task level, and can provide essential information for enhancing safety practices, establishing proper procedures, and ensuring all lab members are properly trained. EH&S’s new Lab R.A.T. (Laboratory Risk Assessment Tool) can be used to help with gathering the information you need.
With the closure of Consolidated Laundry, the UW is moving to a new vendor for lab coat cleaning. UW Procurement Services is assisting with the transition to an alternate laundry provider (MediCleanse) for laboratories and academic spaces on campus.
Departments that relied on Consolidated Laundry for lab coat cleaning should complete an online survey to provide UW Procurement Services with details about the quantity, items and services needed.
Review the Lab R.A.T. Guidelines document for details on conducting risk assessments using the Laboratory Risk Assessment Tool (Lab R.A.T.).
The Laboratory Risk Assessment Tool (Lab R.A.T.) provides a framework for risk assessment complimenting the process researchers already use to answer scientific questions. This tool provides a format for researchers to systematically identify and control hazards to reduce risk of injuries and incidents.
Conduct a risk assessment prior to conducting an experiment for the first time and review the Lab R.A.T. Guidelines for further details.
Faculty, staff and students at the University who are using research vessels required for employment or education must observe the standards and safety practices in the UW Boating Safety Manual.
The University of Washington has a unique blend of water-based research, academic and recreation activities. A wide range of boats support these activities, from small paddle craft to large oceanographic vessels. UW students, faculty and staff operate boats in a large variety of locations in Washington state, around the United States, and internationally. For UW vessel operators, prioritizing personal safety and stewardship for the environment is paramount.
