Hazardous Material Spills
A hazardous material spill is an uncontrolled release of a substance that is potentially hazardous to humans, animals and/or the environment. University personnel and students working with hazardous…
Laboratory Equipment Maintenance
Proper use and maintenance of laboratory equipment can protect the safety of both the personnel and the equipment in use. Certain equipment found within labs may warrant greater attention than others…
MyChem users required to upload SDSs
MyChem requires users to upload a safety data sheet (SDS) when adding a new chemical to an inventory if that chemical does not currently exist in the MyChem database. If you have chemicals in…
Biological Research Safety
The Biosafety program serves to maintain safe conditions in research by containing biohazardous agents. Biosafety helps to prevent harm to humans, animals and the environment.
This page…
Key Elements of Lab Self-Inspections
Use the Key Elements of Lab Self-Inspections to ensure that all key elements are covered when you conduct a self-assessment of your laboratory or research space.
Grounding and Bonding Focus Sheet
Use and dispensing of flammable liquids presents fire and explosion hazards to facilities and occupants. Proper grounding and bonding limits the potential of static electrical spark…
National Biosafety Month 2021: Wear a Lab Coat to Protect Yourself
October is National Biosafety Month, a time to focus on your lab’s biosafety policies and procedures. For 2021, EH&S would like labs to focus on the importance of wearing lab coats. Lab…
Sharps and Lab Glass Waste
Laboratory personnel and principal investigators (PIs) are responsible to properly identify, packaging, decontaminate, and dispose of sharps and laboratory glass and plastic waste. For site-specific…
New Notice of Cleaning and Decontamination Form
A new Notice of Cleaning and/or Decontamination Form was published in August 2021 to replace the prior decontamination form. The new form contains expanded information to include cleaning as…
2021 Laboratory Safety Awards & Innovations Event Winners
Awards were given to labs, departments, and personnel in recognition of their achievements in safety culture.
The 2021 award winners for Top Dawgs in Safety:
Burke Museum
Department of Pharmacy…
Welcome to Environmental Health & Safety
The University of Washington is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for faculty, staff, students, visitors, and volunteers in all sites owned, operated, or controlled by the…
Mission and Vision
UW Environmental Health & Safety's mission is to partner with the UW community to provide a healthy and safe campus and protect our environment.
UW Photography Guidelines
The UW Photography Guidelines are intended for use in research, shop settings and other University locations with hazardous materials and/or physical safety hazards.
All individuals who appear…
Centrifuge Maintenance SOP Template
Labs use the Centrifuge Maintenance SOP Template (Word) to develop standard operating procedures for routine maintenance of centrifugal equipment.
Furnace Maintenance SOP Template
Labs use the Furnace Maintenance SOP Template (Word) to develop standard operating procedures for the use and routine maintenance of furnaces.
Vacuum Pump Maintenance SOP Template
Labs use the Vacuum Pump Maintenance SOP Template (Word) to develop standard operating procedures for routine maintenance of diaphragm vacuum pumps.
Occupational Health Recommendations for Working with Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Gerbils
UW personnel working with guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils should follow these occupational health recommendations.
Biological Reproductive Hazards Focus Sheet
The Biological Reproductive Hazards Focus Sheet provides guidance to University personnel who may be potentially exposed to certain biological agents and are pregnant or planning to…
Resources for laboratory equipment maintenance
If your research involves the use of centrifuges, ovens/furnaces, vacuum pumps, or other laboratory equipment, the Laboratory Equipment Maintenance webpage provides resources that can help you…
National Biosafety Month 2022: Substitute with safer alternatives
During National Biosafety Month in October, EH&S is encouraging labs working with biohazards to identify hazards that could be substituted with a safer alternative to reduce the potential for…