Directions to EHS
View directions, parking, and public transit options for arriving at UW Environmental Health & Safety main office.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
Biotoxin Safety
Learn how to work safely with biotoxins and if the biotoxin you use is subject to additional regulatory oversight.
Changes to Hazardous Material Shipping Regulations in 2025
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published regulation changes for 2025, which may impact University units and departments that ship dangerous goods by air.
If you ship dangerous…
Lab Employee Safety Training Record
UW research and training laboratories can download and use the Lab Employee Safety Training Record to record trainings related to the Chemical Hygiene Plan, chemical safety, equipment…
Incompatible Chemicals Focus Sheet
The Incompatible Chemicals Focus Sheet contains a Chemical Compatibility Chart chart adapted from the CRC Laboratory Handbook which groups various chemicals into 23 groups with…