Universities get surprise visits from hazardous waste regulators
Several universities in the northwest have been subjected to unannounced regulatory inspections recently by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or by the Washington State Department of Ecology…
Heating Devices Focus Sheet
Many labs and shops use at least one type of heating device, such as ovens, hot plates, heating mantles and tapes, and oil baths. Heating materials, especially chemicals, present a number of…
General Health and Safety Training Course Selection Guide
The General Health and Safety Training Course Selection Guide provides guidance on identifying the health and safety related training classes available to all University of Washington employees…
Space Heaters and Other Temporary Portable Heaters
In the event a heating system fails, or there is inadequate heat to an area, every effort should be made to correct the problem with building heating before using temporary or portable heat…
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent manmade chemicals that were widely used as an oil additive in electrical equipment and as a plasticizer in building materials. Congress banned…
Air Permit
All construction projects and air pollutant sources at the University must comply with the University’s Air Operating Permit requirements and all related policies and regulations. Environmental…
Fire Extinguisher Use
Read the focus sheet for information about safely using a fire extinguisher, which involves training to operate it, awareness of potential personal exposure toextinguishing materials,…
Preventable fire alarm initiative
Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division launched an initiative to avoid “false” (preventable) alarms.
Preventable alarms include:
Any activation of a fire alarm…
Fire Code Classifications for Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials are classified according to the International Fire Code, which limits quantities of certain chemicals based on physical and health hazards, and sets requirements for…
Should you pull the fire alarm after a chemical spill?
Following the announcement of the Seattle Police Department’s preventable fire alarm initiative (that will result in fines for false alarms starting January 1, 2020), EH&S has fielded concerns…
EGC1 Hazmat Screening Focus Sheet
Applicants completing an eGC1 are asked questions about quantities of hazardous materials they intend to use in their research. EH&S reviews this information to determine whether the…
Wastewater
All items that enter the the sewer system (e.g. poured down a drain or flushed down a toilet) must comply with local, state and federal wastewater rules, regulations, and standards. These rules are…
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
When it rains on campus, the rainwater runs into a network of storm drains that lead directly into local bodies of water.
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Along the way,…
Lithium Battery Safety
This paper provides information on the safe procurement, handling, storage and disposal of lithium-ion batteries to help prevent fire, injury and loss of intellectual and other property…
Safety measures for lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are used supply power to many kinds of devices including smart phones, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-cigarettes, and are used in University operations and …
Liquid Nitrogen and Alarms in University Research Space
This report is intended to provide guidance on identifying and evaluating potential risks related to storage of liquid nitrogen in laboratory space, and how to best mitigate those risks at the…
Do not block campus fire lanes
When 9-1-1 is called on the Seattle campus, UW Police and Seattle Fire Department emergency vehicles will use designated fire lanes to get to the scene of the emergency quickly. It is critical that…
Hand Sanitizer Fire Safety Focus Sheet
Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60% is one of the key prevention measures to help reduce the potential for transmission of communicable diseases…
Guidance for Building Water Flushing and Sampling During Low Flow or Low Occupancy
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and UW Facilities (UWF) have established a protocol for water quality verification and sampling in University buildings that were temporarily…
Evacuation Plan for Individuals with Disabilities
Individuals with disabilities are invited to complete an evacuation plan using the template provided and provide it to the University building evacuation director or building coordinator.…