Worker Memorial Day at the UW

Annual University of Washington Ceremony  April 24, 2019, 11:30am University of Washington, Seattle Campus, HUB North Ballroom (second floor of Husky Union Building) This special ceremony will raise...

Policy change: Initial animal use medical screening now required for personnel in animal areas

As of May 1, 2019, personnel who conduct work in University animal care and use areas will no longer have the option to decline the initial animal use medical screening. The medical screening...

Planning for high risk activities

EH&S has new and updated tools for UW units to help protect staff engaging in high risk activities: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedure Confined Space Evaluation Fall Protection Work Plan Job Hazard...

New online Radiation Safety training

As of April 2019, the online radiation safety training looks very different. The new training is interactive, features quizzes and activities along the way, and contains voiceovers by our very own...

Ergonomics Evaluation

Office Ergonomics Evaluation Form Instructions: Complete this form to request an ergonomics evaluation of an office workstation. For other types of ergonomics evaluations, please contact ehsergo@uw....

EH&S wins two Innovation Awards

Two UW environmental health and safety projects were selected by the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) to receive an Award of Merit in the Innovation Award...

Work safely with dry ice

EH&S has published a new guidance sheet focused on working safely with dry ice. This useful resource reviews the hazards and appropriate precautions that should be used with dry ice, commonly...

Temporary UWNetIDs can no longer access EH&S training courses

After June 21, 2019, users with temporary visitor accounts (accounts with a “wireXXXXX” format) will no longer be able to access online safety training courses provided by the Environmental Health...

Gear up for summer lab work

Summer in Seattle means hiking, biking, kayaking and ... lab work! Yes, many of us spend gorgeous summer days working in the lab. While it's fine to wear shorts, skirts, sandals or flip flops outside...

Cost of controlling the mumps outbreak at the UW

At the conference of the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association on July 15-19, Sheryl Schwartz, EH&S’s assistant director for Campus Preventive Health, presented a paper...

Analyzing your job hazards can prevent accidents and injuries

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) can help prevent work-related injuries or illnesses by eliminating or controlling hazards. A JHA is a method for identifying and evaluating hazards associated with tasks (...

WA state measles outbreak: Got MMR?

In January, Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency related to a measles outbreak. As of July 10, there have been 84 cases in Washington state: 71 in Clark County, 10 in King County, two in...

Fall protection equipment Stop Use Notice for Honeywell/Miller MightEvac, MightyLite self-retracting lifelines

A notice was released from Honeywell Industrial Safety on August 23, 2019, regarding the mandatory removal of the Miller MightEvac and MightyLite self-retracting lifelines from use. The notice only...

Battery Fire Risk in HP and Samsung Products

Following a report of potential overheating and fire hazard of Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, EH&S recommended that UW organizational units communicate to...

If you smell something, say something

The Environmental, Health & Safety Department (EH&S) investigates concerns about odors, mold and particulates in UW owned and occupied buildings. If you smell smoke, gas or a strong chemical...

Prevent lead exposures with new Lead Safety Manual

EH&S has developed an updated UW Lead Safety Program Manual to help employees who work with lead materials limit their potential lead exposure to the lowest levels possible. The current...

New tuberculosis screening practices at the Employee Health Center

Effective September 16, the EH&S Employee Health Center will no longer provide annual tuberculosis (TB) screening for most client groups. The Employee Health Center will provide TB screening only...

Avoid slips, trips and falls in wet weather

Slips, trips and falls are leading causes of injury at the UW. A slip, trip or fall can have a serious impact on a person’s health and well-being. Avoid slips, trips and falls in wet weather Use...

Nominate yourself or a UW colleague to serve on a health and safety committee

It’s time again for the biannual Health and Safety Committee (HSC) elections. Nominations are open for the next two-year committee term, which will begin on January 1, 2020. Don’t miss your chance...

NEW Spill Response poster and updated Exposure Response poster

Keep these two posters in an easily accessible location in your workspace. Spill Response poster (NEW) EH&S has a new Spill Response Poster that instructs you what to do in the event of a...