Sharps Safety
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is committed to working with University personnel to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries before, during, and after procedures involving sharps. The…
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.
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.…
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…
Chemical Hazard Communication (HazCom)
The UW is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, students and visitors. Individuals who work with or near hazardous substances need to be aware of the identity…
Chemical Exchange
The Chemical Exchange program allows MyChem users to share unused chemical inventory to save money and reduce waste.
The Chemical Exchange allows you to search for available chemicals or chemical…
Shipping Hazardous Materials
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) provides online and classroom training courses for UW personnel who ship hazardous materials (refer to the Training section below).
We also ship…
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,…
Biohazardous Waste Management Plan
The Biohazardous Waste Management Plan describes the requirements for management of biohazardous waste and methods for compliance to regulations governing handling and disposal of biohazardous waste…
Packaging Sharps and Lab Glass Waste poster
Display this poster in your laboratory for guidance on properly packaging sharps waste and lab glass and plastic waste.
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.
Biohazardous Spills
This document describes how to clean up spills of biohazardous agents including recombinant DNA. If you need help with a biohazardous spill, contact EH&S Research and Occupational Safety at 206.…
How to Make a Biohazardous Spill Kit
How to Make a Biohazardous Spill Kit outlines the components needed for a spill kit to clean up spills of biohazardous agents including recombinant DNA.
General Autoclave Safety
Use the General Autoclave Safety document to familiarize yourself with the hazards involved with operating an autoclave. Learn how to protect yourself before operating an autoclave. These…
Autoclaving Biohazardous Waste Guidelines
The Autoclaving Biohazardous Waste Guidelines apply to any autoclave that is used to decontaminate biohazardous waste and include required monitoring and recordkeeping instructions.…
Autoclave Training Log
Use this training log to document personnel that have been trained on the site-specific procedures needed to operate your autoclave.
Autoclave Log Sheet
Use this log sheet to record autoclave runs that include biohazardous waste and/or biological indicators. This log sheet has a place to record all the required information for compliance.