During National Fire Prevention Week, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) will host events on the Seattle campus to educate students and staff about fire prevention and the importance of responding quickly to smoke alarms.
Stop by our table on the HUB Lawn to learn about fire prevention and smoke detectors.
October is Biosafety Month, a time to focus on biosafety practices in your lab. For 2025, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) encourages labs to learn more about how biosafety cabinets provide protection and how to safely use one.
Has your lab created a tool, resource, or practice to enhance safety in your workspace?
Environmental Health & Safety invites researchers and departments to submit their lab safety innovations for recognition at this year’s biennial Laboratory Safety Awards & Innovations Event. Email a description and/or photos to labcheck@uw.edu with “Innovation” as the subject line.
Nominations will open soon for the next two-year term of UW’s health and safety committees. Every UW employee is represented by one of 10 committees; each plays a key role in supporting workplace health and safety. Don’t miss the chance to nominate yourself or a colleague!
How does a UW employee become a committee member?
Committee members are:
Who is eligible?
If you are partially or completely vacating your laboratory for remodeling, relocation or closure, you are required to leave it clean and safe. By following safe practices, we can help prevent exposures and maintain the health and safety of everyone in our workspaces.
Moveout notice
The University is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe environment for working, learning, research, teaching and service. There are several ways UW personnel can report workplace safety concerns: 
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) published the annual update of the UW Accident Prevention Plan, which contains new and updated safety information and resources to help prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. Department/unit administrators and supervisors are asked to share and review the updated UW Accident Prevention Plan with their current and new employees.
The Environmental Health & Safety Boating Safety Program created two new resources to help UW personnel identify and reduce the risk of drowning while working on, over, or alongside water. These resources are designed to prioritize the safety of UW personnel and clarify guidance from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries regarding the selection, use, and maintenance of personal flotation devices (PFDs) to protect workers when drowning hazards exist in the workplace.
What is my responsibility to prevent drowning?
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) launched a new Asbestos Awareness Refresher Online course that replaces the annual in-person refresher course, providing participants the flexibility to complete their training at their own pace.
Course highlights:
Are you responsible for a teaching lab that uses chemicals, biological materials, or hazardous equipment? Download new and updated resources to support safe and effective teaching lab operations.
New resources
Teaching Laboratories Risk Assessment Tool & Guidelines