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.
Laboratory-Specific Safety Training Record
UW research and training laboratories can download and use the Laboratory-Specific Safety Training Record to record trainings related to the Chemical Hygiene Plan, chemical safety,…
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…
Caution and Warning Signs
Caution Signs are required to be posted at the entrance to a space where hazardous materials are stored or used. The Caution Sign is based on a location's chemical inventory; it alerts emergency…
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…
Bloodborne Pathogens Training Resources
A list of resources to supplement Environmental Health & Safety's Bloodborne Pathogens for Non-Researchers course. Provided in English and Spanish.
Be ready for a hazardous waste inspection
Do you generate hazardous waste? If so, are you ready for a regulatory inspection?The Washington State Department of Ecology can conduct a hazardous waste compliance inspection at any time.…
Lessons learned from a chemical fire
In December 2024, a group of undergraduate research students conducted an experiment in a shared research/shop space following a standard operating procedure (SOP) they had recently updated.…
Prepare for EPA's new rule for trichloroethylene
In December 2024, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to protect workers, the public, and the environment from the risks…
Export restrictions on certain pathogens
EH&S Biosafety is sharing a message on behalf of the UW Export Controls Office:There are U.S. export license requirements for certain pathogens and toxins, including genetic elements from, and/or…
Emergency Procedures Flip Chart
Areas with hazardous materials can post the Emergency Procedures Flip Chart to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Biosafety Month 2025: Learn how a biosafety cabinet protects you
October is Biosafety Month, a time to focus on biosafety practices in your lab. For 2025, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) encourages labs to learn more about how biosafety cabinets…
Updated biosafety requirements for SARS-CoV-2 research
The recent biological safety level recommendations from the CDC and NIH to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 risk group biosafety levels (BSLs) prompted the University of Washington Institutional Biosafety…
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…
Biohazard Transport Policy
Transporting Biohazardous Agents and Laboratory SpecimensThis policy outlines the proper procedures for transporting biohazardous agents and laboratory specimens within buildings and between…
Two new federal policies impacting research with synthetic nucleic acids and biological agents and toxins expected in May 2025
In May 2025, two new federal policy frameworks impacting research are scheduled to be implemented. More information will be provided prior to implementation. We understand that these new…
Biotoxin Safety
Learn how to work safely with biotoxins and if the biotoxin you use is subject to additional regulatory oversight.