EH&S Biosafety is sharing a message on behalf of the UW Export Controls Office:
There are U.S. export license requirements for certain pathogens and toxins, including genetic elements from, and/or genetically modified organisms containing such pathogens or toxins depending on the destination country.
It’s time again for the biannual Health and Safety Committee elections. Nominations will open soon for the next two-year committee term, which begins on January 1, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to nominate yourself or a coworker to serve on a health and safety committee!
Every UW employee is represented by one of the 10 organizational health and safety committees. Committee members are an important component of the University’s total safety program.
How does a UW employee become a committee member?
Committee members are:
In December 2024, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to protect workers, the public, and the environment from the risks of trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure. While certain portions of the rule are currently under legal review, most of its requirements are still expected to go into effect starting on September 15, 2025.
In December 2024, a group of undergraduate research students conducted an experiment in a shared research/shop space following a standard operating procedure (SOP) they had recently updated. One of the students had performed this work before; no supervisor was present.
The experiment involved heating a chemical mixture on a hot plate inside a fume hood. The mixture overheated, ignited, and caused second-degree burns on a student’s hands. The student received medical care and has recovered.
What contributed to the incident?
Do you generate hazardous waste? If so, are you ready for a regulatory inspection?
The Washington State Department of Ecology can conduct a hazardous waste compliance inspection at any time. Inspections can be scheduled or unannounced and occur at various UW sites throughout the year. Being prepared helps ensure compliance and keeps your workplace safe.
As outdoor temperatures rise and wildfire season approaches, it’s important to know how to protect yourself while working outdoors. Environmental Health & Safety offers two required online training courses to help you stay safe: Outdoor Heat Safety and Wildfire Smoke Safety.
Outdoor Heat Safety Training
Summer in Seattle means hiking, biking, kayaking and ... lab work. Yes, many of us spend gorgeous summer days working in the lab. While it's fine to wear shorts, skirts, sandals or flip flops outside, wearing these items in the lab can expose you to hazards. Proper lab attire ensures your skin is covered and protected.
Even if you aren't working with hazardous materials that day, your coworker might be, so always dress to protect yourself. We recommend keeping an appropriate change of clothes and shoes in the lab so you are never without the right gear.
Biosafety Manual Updates
As summer approaches and temperatures begin to rise, it's important to take measures to keep outdoor workers healthy and prevent heat-related illness.
University units with personnel who work outdoors are required to implement safety measures to help prevent heat-related illness, including
Last year, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) updated the wildfire smoke exposure rules to establish minimum requirements to prevent smoke particle-related illness and reduce serious symptoms for outdoor workers.
University units with personnel who work outdoors are required to plan, prepare, and train for wildfire smoke exposure: