Gear up for summer lab work
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…
Biohazardous Waste Flow Charts
Refer to the biohazardous waste flow charts below for site-specific information.
Animal Research Waste
Harborview Medical Center
Harborview Research & Training Building
Life Sciences Building…
Spill Response Poster
Use the Spill Response Poster as a guide to clean up radiological, chemical and biohazardous spills.
Post in your lab alongside the Exposure Response Poster.
National Biosafety Month 2019: Biosafety beyond the lab
October is National Biosafety Month, a time to focus on your lab’s biosafety practices and policies. For 2019, EH&S is focusing on biosafety beyond the lab. We are encouraging you to reflect and…
Viral Vectors for Gene Transfer
Viral vectors are popular research tools in biological sciences and other fields. They are customizable, allowing for research with different genes of interest in a variety of in vitro and in vivo…
Replace Obsolete Biosafety Cabinets
There are multiple models of biological safety cabinets (BSCs) at the UW that Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has identified as obsolete.
Visit the Biological Safety Cabinets…
Replace your obsolete biosafety cabinet
The University has over 950 active biosafety cabinets (BSCs), and about 150 have become obsolete due to safer design standards and the challenge of obtaining replacement parts. Environmental Health…
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Charter
The charter for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) describes the purpose, function and operation of the University's IBC.
Responding to Lab Inspection Findings in EHSA
University units use the guide Responding to Lab Inspection Findings in EHSA to respond to biosafety lab inspection findings.
Visit the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA…
Vaccinia Virus Research Safety Policy
The Vaccinia Virus Research Safety Policy outlines the safety and occupational health requirements for work with vaccinia virus.
Third Generation Lentiviral Vectors
This document outlines the UW Institutional Biosafety Committee's working definition of 3rd generation lentiviral vectors.
Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP)
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…
Biological Toxin Safe Work Practices
Review and implement these guidelines in your laboratory if you work with biotoxins.
Use the Biological Toxin Checklist to ensure compliance and safe work practices for research involving biotoxins.…
BSL-3 and Select Agent Medical Management Information
Use the BSL-3/ABSL-3 Medical Management site to access agent-specific information and medical management plans for BSL-3 and select agent research at UW.
COVID-19 Research Biosafety
Learn the research requirements and safe lab practices for work with SARS-CoV-2 and associated samples.
Respirator Request Form
University supervisors submit a Respirator Request Form to EH&S, when respiratory hazards are first identified, when processes change that may impact respiratory hazards, and annually…
Respiratory Protection
When respirators are used properly, they can prevent injury and illnesses from exposure to airborne substances that may be inhaled.
University managers and supervisors are responsible for…
Bloodborne Pathogens
The purpose of the UW Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Program is to protect University personnel from exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
The UW Bloodborne Pathogens…