EH&S has developed a new online Hydrofluoric Acid Safety Training course to help those who work with or may be exposed to hydrofluoric acid (HF) in the workplace. HF exposures can lead to some serious injuries or fatalities.
Why should labs have a standard operating procedure (SOP) for a chemical when the manufacturer safety data sheet (SDS) is available?
Both documents are “required” in the lab but offer different types of important information about a chemical. SDSs can be a good source of information when assessing risks associated with the storage, use, and transport of a chemical or product, whereas an SOP gives the researcher detailed lab-specific information for handling of a chemical at every stage of its presence in the lab.
EH&S has developed a new online Formaldehyde Safety Training module to help principal investigators (PIs), lab managers, researchers and others meet the federal and WA State Formaldehyde worker safety standards for this widely used chemical. The target audience for this training is laboratory and research personnel, including those who work in research, clinical
Effective January 18, 2017, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a ban on powdered patient examination gloves, powdered surgical gloves, and also on powder for lubricating a surgeon’s gloves. The FDA ban also applies to veterinary use such as veterinary clinical care and animal surgery centers.
Every year, regulatory authorities publish updates and changes to regulations governing the transportation of hazardous materials. Take note of the changes in hazardous material shipping labels that go into effect on January 1, 2017.
One example of a small change that was made to a commonly-used label:
 |
|
|
OLD LABEL |
NEW LABEL |
Recent incidents on UW campus and lab-related accidents across the country underscore the need for UW employees to take required trainings and follow critical safety protocols.
In July, a UW employee was seriously injured while attempting to relieve pressure that built up in a container packed with dry ice shipped to UW by another research institution. As the employee loosened the lid the container exploded, leading to a permanent hand injury.
With the launch of a new academic year, researchers are busy launching projects and guiding lab staff and students in ethics and protocols, including following safety regulations and guidelines. This is a good time for Principal investigators (PIs) to review safety protocols and verify that laboratory spaces are compliant with regulations and best practices for maintaining a safe work environment.
What would you do if someone near you has sudden cardiac arrest? Rapid treatment with a defibrillator can be lifesaving. A defibrillator is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore its normal rhythm. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used by bystanders to save the lives of people who are having sudden cardiac arrest.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Science Policy has announced the 3rd annual National Biosafety Month in October 2016.
During National Biosafety Month, you are encouraged to focus attention on biosafety policies, practices and procedures. Investigators and laboratory managers should raise biosafety awareness, discuss the importance of safety, and seek input on ways to strengthen biosafety practices and procedures in their labs.
The theme of this 2016's National Biosafety Month is: Evaluation, Collaboration, and Commitment.
A new administrative policy statement on Managing Asbestos and Other Regulated Building Materials (APS12.1) was adopted by the UW. While the majority of the policy and procedures apply to facilities services departments and other service units, some procedures apply to all departments, including the following:
