New guidelines to help protect you from biological reproductive hazards
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) provides guidelines for UW personnel who are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) and who may be exposed to certain biological agents that can increase…
Response and reporting requirements for incidents involving biohazardous materials
In the event of a spill or exposure to biohazardous materials, established response procedures and reporting requirements apply to all students and personnel of the UW. Researchers should review…
The March 2023 UW Biosafety Manual is now online
An updated March 2023 version of the UW Biosafety Manual is now available online. The changes made to the manual were limited to administrative updates, including updating web hyperlinks and minor…
Laser Safety
The Laser Safety Program facilitates the safe and knowledgeable use of lasers in University laboratories and classrooms, and ensures the protection of the environment. The Laser Safety Program…
Hazardous Material Spills
A hazardous material spill is an uncontrolled release of a substance that is potentially hazardous to humans, animals and/or the environment. University personnel and students working with hazardous…
Biological Safety Cabinets
Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are used to protect personnel, products and the environment from exposure to biohazards and cross contamination during routine procedures.
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…
Welcome to Environmental Health & Safety
The University of Washington is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for faculty, staff, students, visitors, and volunteers in all sites owned, operated, or controlled by the…
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.
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…
Biological Research Safety
The Biosafety program serves to maintain safe conditions in research by containing biohazardous agents. Biosafety helps to prevent harm to humans, animals and the environment. This page connects…
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews, approves and oversees research involving the use of recombinant or synthetic DNA/RNA and other biohazards. The IBC meeting is open to the public,…
Biosafety Level 2 with Biosafety Level 3 Practices (BSL-2 with BSL-3 practices) Inspection Checklist
Biosafety Level 2 with Biosafety Level 3 Practices (BSL-2 with BSL-3 practices) Inspection Checklist
New chemical integrators approved for autoclaving biohazardous waste
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) recently identified that the chemical integrator 3M Comply™ SteriGage™ used for steam sterilization of biohazardous waste is no longer manufactured or…
Wildfire Smoke Response Plan Template
The purpose of the Wildfire Smoke Response Plan is to help prevent smoke-related illnesses and injuries. University units and departments with personnel who work outdoors are required to…
Wildfire smoke protections for outdoor workers
Last year, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) updated the wildfire smoke exposure rules to establish minimum requirements to prevent smoke particle-related…
Revised template for Bloodborne Pathogens Site-Specific Exposure Control Plan
EH&S updated the Site-Specific Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan template in congruence with Washington state BBP regulations. This update includes an expanded list of personal…