Mercury
Elemental or metallic mercury is a potent neurotoxin, even with small exposures. Avoid exposure by replacing broken thermometers and lamps, and use a spill kit to manage a spill clean-up.
Health…
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
Updated January 22, 2025
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are documents that describe the physical and health hazards of chemicals or chemical-containing products and must be readily accessible to employees…
Compressed Gases and Cryogens
Compressed and liquefied gases are routinely used in laboratories, shops and various other operations at the University. Compressed gas is a generic term used for describing compressed gases,…
Exposure Response Poster
Use the Exposure Response Poster as a guide for responding to a biological, chemical or radiological exposure.
Post in your lab alongside the Spill Response Poster.
Compressed Gas Cylinders Safety Guidelines
The Compressed Gas Cylinders Safety Guidelines provide information on their safe use and apply to all University personnel and students who handle or use compressed or liquefied…
Battery recycling on the Seattle campus
The University of Washington recycles all types of batteries, which cannot be placed in the trash because they can be corrosive and contain toxic metals. Batteries and electronics are not…
MyChem
UW personnel who use chemicals or chemical-containing products at any UW owned or leased facility are required to maintain chemical inventories in MyChem, the UW’s chemical tracking system.
Alert: New Rule for Methylene Chloride
University units that use methylene chloride in products such as degreasers, paint strippers, adhesive removers, solvent welding products, or plastic bonding agents may be impacted by a new…
EH&S move to Gateway building
Most Environmental Health & Safety teams relocated to the new Gateway building above the Sound Transit Link light rail station on Brooklyn Avenue NE between NE 45th and 43rd …
EH&S Annual Report FY24
The EH&S Annual Report FY24 summarizes the work of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) during fiscal year 2024.
Directions to EHS
View directions, parking, and public transit options for arriving at UW Environmental Health & Safety main office.
Chemical Waste Management Practices
University personnel who generate hazardous chemical waste for the University, including all campuses and off-site locations, are required to follow chemical waste management practices when…
Sample Request New Chemical Waste Routine
Refer to the Sample Request for a New Chemical Waste Routine as a guide when completing a a Request New Chemical Waste Routine form.
Tips for a successful chemical waste collection
Updated May 15, 2024
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has taken steps to increase staffing and is working with campus partners to reduce delays with chemical waste collections.…
Waste Evaluation Request
Request a Waste Evaluation if you are unsure how to dispose of a chemical.
Safe Handling of Cryogenic Substances
A superconducting magnet uses two types of cryogens (liquid helium and liquid nitrogen). Cryogenic liquids can be handled easily and safely, provided certain precautions are followed as…
Hydrofluoric Acid Focus Sheet
The Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Focus Sheet covers the health hazards of HF exposure, safe use, storage, emergency procedures, incident reporting, spills, and disposal.
Faster way to request routine chemical waste collection
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…
New focus sheet explains SDSs vs. SOPs
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…
Chemical Spills in Laboratories
Be prepared with proper training, cleanup supplies and personal protective equipment to manage spills easily and safely.
If you work with chemicals, you will probably have a chemical spill at some…