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 system…
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…
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…
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…
2019 Lab Safety Awards and Innovation Event winners
On December 9, 2019, EH&S hosted the Laboratory Safety Awards & Innovation Event to share new practices developed to enhance the culture of safety in UW research and teaching labs. Executive…
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…
SOP templates for Aqua Regia and Piranha Solution
Does your research require the use of Aqua regia or Piranha solutions? These are two types of acidic washes used for very specific purposes and have very important workplace health and safety…
Working Alone Safely Focus Sheet
Working alone applies to work or study occurring when no other person is in direct line of sight or within hearing range of the person working. A person may work alone in a lab, office, shop or…
Vacuum Pump Safety Focus Sheet
Vacuum pumps are used to remove air and other vapors from a vessel or manifold. The most common usages in laboratories are on rotary evaporators, drying manifolds, centrifugal concentrators,…
Soldering SOP
Standard operating procedure (SOP) template for labs using electric soldering irons to address the hazards of leaded and non-leaded soldering of electrical components.
Choose the right vacuum pump
Vacuum pumps are used to remove air and other vapors from a vessel or manifold. Weak points in containers or systems under vacuum can create implosion or explosion hazards, and cause injury by…
2024 Lab Safety Awareness Week Packet
Lab Safety Awareness Week is sponsored by CSHEMA and held at academic institutions nation-wide February 12-16, 2024. This event is dedicated to recognizing the successes of laboratory safety…
2024 Lab Safety Awareness Week Challenge
Help raise awareness of safe lab practices at the UW and win prizes!
Lab Safety Awareness Week is sponsored by CSHEMA and held at academic institutions nation-wide February 12-16, 2024. This event…
Safety Equipment Status Report
This report shows the most recent survey status of UW laboratories' safety facilities and equipment (eye washes, fire extinguishers, emergency showers and autoclaves). Its data is ordered by…
Evacuation Topics for Individuals with Disabilities
Faculty, staff, students and visitors who may have difficulty exiting during a building evacuation are encouraged to consider these options in advance of spending time at a University location to…
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…
Hot Work
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According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to more than 4,000 structure fires per year involving…