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…
EH&S Annual Report FY25
The work of UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) during the previous fiscal year is summarized in the EH&S Annual Report.
New drowning prevention guidance
The Environmental Health & Safety Boating Safety Program created two new resources to help UW personnel identify and reduce the risk of drowning while working on, over, or alongside water. These…
Updated UW Accident Prevention Plan
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) published the annual update of the UW Accident Prevention Plan, which contains new and updated safety information and resources to help…
2024 UW Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries
The University’s 2024 Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries are now available for download and posting. University units are required to download the summary for their location and post it…
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…
Adjust Your Workstation
There are important steps you can take to set up your office workstation (e.g., chair, desk, footrest, monitor, keyboard, mouse) to increase your comfort and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal…
Office Furniture and Equipment
University of Washington personnel who work in offices need to have a workstation that allows them to be productive and comfortable, and not be susceptible to pain or injury. Slight adjustments …
Training for Researchers
The UW Office of Research coordinates with Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and other UW units and departments to maintain a research-related Required Training…
Determine Training Needs
Explore our EH&S Course Catalog for detailed descriptions and requirements for each course. Each course page provides direct links to online modules or registration for in-person classes.
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.
Autoclave Safety
Learn how to safely operate an autoclave and treat biohazardous waste for disposal according to applicable regulations.
Updated ABSL-1 waste disposal procedures
Processes for treatment and disposal of animal biosafety level 1 (ABSL-1) animal carcasses have been updated with input from the UW Infectious Waste Committee and the UW Institutional Biosafety…
Regulated Building Materials
Building materials can contain a number of hazardous components that, if disturbed, can pose a health risk to workers and occupants. Materials that have potential to cause health and environmental…
New spend category and purchasing requirements for research with synthetic nucleic acids and synthesis equipment
A new spend category has been created for the purchase of synthetic nucleic acids and synthesis equipment to help ensure compliance with the Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening. This…
New online course for preventing slips, trips, and falls
Environmental Health & Safety is pleased to announce the launch of a 25-minute, self-paced online course to help reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. Slips, trips, and…
Revised NIH Guidelines address research involving gene drive modified organisms
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) published revisions to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines). The published changes…