Empty Chemical Containers
The Empty Chemical Containers Focus Sheet provides guidance to dispose of or reuse chemical containers in accordance with hazardous waste regulations.
Updated biosafety requirements for SARS-CoV-2 research
The recent biological safety level recommendations from the CDC and NIH to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 risk group biosafety levels (BSLs) prompted the University of Washington Institutional Biosafety…
Biohazard Transport Policy
Transporting Biohazardous Agents and Laboratory Specimens
This policy outlines the proper procedures for transporting biohazardous agents and laboratory specimens within buildings and between…
Two new federal policies impacting research with synthetic nucleic acids and biological agents and toxins expected in May 2025
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…
Biotoxin Safety
Learn how to work safely with biotoxins and if the biotoxin you use is subject to additional regulatory oversight.
Autoclave Safety
Learn how to safely operate an autoclave and treat biohazardous waste for disposal according to applicable regulations.
Updated ABSL-1 waste disposal procedures
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…
New spend category and purchasing requirements for research with synthetic nucleic acids and synthesis equipment
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…
New chemical integrators approved for autoclaving biohazardous waste
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) recently identified that the chemical integrator 3M Comply™ SteriGage™ used for steam sterilization of biohazardous waste is no longer manufactured or…
Revised template for Bloodborne Pathogens Site-Specific Exposure Control Plan
EH&S updated the Site-Specific Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan template in congruence with Washington state BBP regulations. This update includes an expanded list of personal…
Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA)
Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) is an online tool to manage your lab’s biological safety inspections and radiation laboratory services, such as waste pickup requests and…
National Biosafety Month 2023: The value of written procedures
For National Biosafety Month 2023, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) encourages labs to develop written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for procedures involving biohazards.…
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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The purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to protect researchers, employees, students, and visitors from potential hazards in the work…
Pressure Vessels
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Pressure vessels, autoclaves and steam sterilizers operating at pressures greater than 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) and larger than…