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:
UPDATE: The White House issued an executive order on May 5, 2025, directing federal agencies to end funding for "dangerous gain-of-function research” and develop a new oversight policy within 120 days. Such research is defined in Section 8 of the order.
Learn Why You Shouldn't Feed Wildlife at the UW
Feeding wildlife might seem like a kind gesture, but it can have unintended consequences for both animals and people and contribute to human-wildlife conflicts.
To learn more about the impact of feeding wildlife and discover alternative ways to connect with nature:
Environmental Health & Safety is pleased to announce the launch of a 25-minute, self-paced online course to help reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. Slips, trips, and falls are among the most commonly reported work-related incidents at the UW.
The course covers identification, prevention, safe behavior techniques, and proper response to fall injuries. While not mandatory, this course is highly recommended to enhance your safety awareness and prevention skills.
A new spend category has been created for the purchase of synthetic nucleic acids and synthesis equipment to help ensure compliance with the Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening. This framework establishes screening processes for purchases of synthetic nucleic acids and synthesis equipment to help minimize the potential for misuse and ensure biosecurity for life sciences research.
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.