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 MuseumDepartment of PharmacyCenter…
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.
Nitric Acid Safety Focus Sheet
Nitric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid and strong oxidizer used primarily for nitration of organic molecules and washing glassware or metal equipment. Nitric acid reacts violently…
Laboratory Risk Assessment Tool
It is important to conduct a risk assessment whenever a new experiment, procedure or project is developed in your lab. A risk assessment focuses on hazard identification at each step or task…
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…
Lab Safety Surveys and Inspections
The University is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environmental for learning, teaching and conducting research. Executive Order 55 gives authority to the Environmental Health &…
Guide to Business and Continuity and Recovery Planning for Laboratories and Research Facilities
The Guide to Business and Continuity and Recovery Planning for Laboratories and Research Facilities was developed to help laboratory managers, principal investigators, responsible…
Business continuity and recovery planning resources for labs and research spaces
The University’s Emergency Management and Office of Research have provided guidance to the research community to assist with business continuity planning. As a supplement to these resources and in…
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…
What to do if an L&I Inspector contacts you
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) serves as the University representative and liaison to Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for all campus locations,…
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…
Control volatile organic chemical smells
Does your laboratory have volatile organic chemicals that produce strong, pungent odors even when the cap and bottle are intact? Controlling these smells, often found in chemical storage areas, will…
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…