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…
Responding to Lab Inspection Findings in EHSA
University units use the guide Responding to Lab Inspection Findings in EHSA to respond to biosafety lab inspection findings.
Visit the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA…
Two ways to submit a chemical waste collection request
Chemical waste generators at the University have two ways to submit waste collection requests:
Directly from your MyChem inventory
From the Chemical Waste Disposal page
You can…
EGC1 Hazmat Screening Focus Sheet
Applicants completing an eGC1 are asked questions about quantities of hazardous materials they intend to use in their research. EH&S reviews this information to determine whether the…
Vaccinia Virus Research Safety Policy
The Vaccinia Virus Research Safety Policy outlines the safety and occupational health requirements for work with vaccinia virus.
Wastewater
All items that enter the the sewer system (e.g. poured down a drain or flushed down a toilet) must comply with local, state and federal wastewater rules, regulations, and standards. These rules are…
Third Generation Lentiviral Vectors
This document outlines the UW Institutional Biosafety Committee's working definition of 3rd generation lentiviral vectors.
Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP)
UPDATE: The White House issued an executive order on May 5, 2025, directing federal agencies to end funding for "dangerous gain-of-function research” and develop a new oversight policy within 120…
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent manmade chemicals that were widely used as an oil additive in electrical equipment and as a plasticizer in building materials. Congress banned…
UW Biohazard Waste Flow Chart: Life Sciences Building
This flow chart shows the waste stream for different types of biohazardous waste at the UW Life Sciences Building (LSB) location.
Emergency Washing Equipment
Emergency washing equipment is provided in University facilities for the purpose of removing hazardous materials from the eyes and skin in the case of an exposure. Examples of emergency washing…
Autoclaving Biohazardous Waste SOP Template
If you use an autoclave to decontaminate biohazardous waste, you need to have a site-specific SOP. Use this fillable PDF template to create your SOP. Any personnel operating the autoclave needs to…
Lead
Lead is a malleable, blue-gray, heavy metal that occurs naturally in the environment. Lead is found in many forms and can be hazardous when inhaled as a dust or fume, or accidentally ingested…
UW Select Toxin Transfer Due Diligence Form
Complete this form for any transfer of select toxins in any amount to any intra- or extramural entity or individual requires documentation of due diligence. Submit the completed form to uwsa@uw.…
Biosafety SOP template
Use the Biosafety SOP template (Word) to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) for procedures involving biohazards.
Select Agent Program
The Federal Select Agent Program regulates all work with select agents and toxins, including possession, use and transfer. Researchers at the UW working with select agents and toxins are required to…
Chemical Container Labels
Clear and consistent labeling that follows the Hazard Communication Standard is required in all University of Washington facilities including laboratories, shops, clinics, and other locations…