Fire Extinguisher Use
Read the focus sheet for information about safely using a fire extinguisher, which involves training to operate it, awareness of potential personal exposure toextinguishing materials,…
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…
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…
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Charter
The charter for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) describes the purpose, function and operation of the University's IBC.
Working with Birds and Poultry
Occupational health recommendations and requirements for University personnel working with birds and poultry
UW Biosafety Manual
The UW Biosafety Manual provides students, staff, and faculty at UW with information that is necessary to protect them and the surrounding community from possible hazards associated with the use of…
EH&S Guide for Principal Investigators
The Guide for Principal Investigators (PI Guide) is an introduction to Environmental Health & Safety for principal investigators (PIs) who are new to the University of Washington and…
National Biosafety Month 2023: The value of written procedures
For National Biosafety Month 2023, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) encourages labs to develop written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for procedures involving biohazards.…
Bloodborne Pathogens
The purpose of the UW Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Program is to protect University personnel from exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).The UW Bloodborne Pathogens…
IBC Meeting Agenda
Agenda for a meeting of the UW Institutional Biosafety Committee
Plan for emergency evacuations in a hybrid work environment
University units and departments that establish hybrid work schedules need to ensure adequate coverage for evacuation wardens in the event of an emergency that requires evacuation. Environmental…
Bloodborne pathogens worker safety requirements
Human blood and other potentially infectious materials may contain viruses referred to as bloodborne pathogens (BBP) that can make people ill if they become infected. Implementing workplace safety…
Site-Specific Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan template
PIs/supervisors must develop a site-specific BBP Exposure Control Plan as a supplement to the UW’s core BBP Exposure Control Plan in Appendix A of the UW Biosafety Manual. The site-…
Prevent and Manage Amplicon Contamination in Your Lab
This focus sheet describes how to prevent and manage amplicon contamination in the laboratory. Those who work with nucleic acids, plasmid preparations and PCR products from SARS-CoV-2 gene targets…
UW Core Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Exposure Control Plan
The UW Core Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Exposure Control Plan is contained in Appendix A of the UW Biosafety Manual.
The November 2021 Biosafety Manual is now online
The 2021 UW Biosafety Manual is now available online. All laboratories or facilities using biohazards must have an electronic link or paper copy of the current manual available to all personnel…