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.…
October is Global Ergonomics Month
Sprains, strains, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for more than 30% of total workers’ compensation injury claims in Washington state each year. Work-related musculoskeletal…
Health and safety committee nominations
Updated 10/31/23
It’s time again for the biannual health and safety committee elections. Most committees are seeking nominations for the next two-year term, which will begin on January 1,…
Crane, Hoist and Rigging Safety Program Manual and resources
The Crane, Hoist and Rigging Safety Program Manual and related safety tools and resources are available for University units and departments that operate and maintain cranes, hoists, and…
Submit your safety innovation for a lab safety award
Researchers and departments on UW campuses are constantly coming up with great new ways to address safety issues specific to their labs and workgroups.
Is your lab or department supporting a strong…
2023 Lab Safety Awards and Innovations
The 2023 Laboratory Safety Awards & Innovations Event will be held on December 8, 2023, to celebrate our award recipients, lab safety innovators, and the excellent work being done in…
Resource for understanding group lockout/tagout
University personnel who service or maintain equipment, machinery or systems with a hazardous energy source have a resource for understanding group lockout/tagout (LOTO). The Understanding Group LOTO…
Updated Radiation Safety Manual now available
The UW Radiation Safety Committee approved revisions to the Radiation Safety Manual in May 2023 to reflect current Radiation Protection Program practices. The updated manual is now available for…
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…
2023 Laboratory Safety Awards and Innovations Event
The 2023 Laboratory Safety Awards & Innovations Event honored 22 labs, departments, and individuals to recognize their significant contributions to fostering a strong culture of safety in…
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…
2024 Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled charcuterie meats
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH), and other public health partners are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella…
2023 UW Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries
The University’s 2023 Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries are posted on the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) website. The summaries show the number and type of work-related…
New safety resources for 3D printers
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, occurs on UW campuses in maker spaces, research labs and classrooms. New safety resources are available to University personnel and students using…
2024 Lab Safety Awareness Week Challenge
Help raise awareness of safe lab practices at the UW and win prizes!
Lab Safety Awareness Week is sponsored by CSHEMA and held at academic institutions nation-wide February 12-16, 2024. This event is…