On July 8, 2019, EH&S launched a new version of the Lab Safety Dashboard, a tool vital to our campus’ safety management in research and teaching laboratories. The dashboard has portals for scientific department principal investigators, chairs, deans and UW executives that allow them (or their designee) to review safety performance data and survey reports for their units.
A video introduction to health and safety at the University of Washington
The University of Washington’s Accident Prevention Plan is revised annually by the University's health and safety committee; the updated Plan is now available for download. Units that replaced or supplemented their Departmental Health and Safety Plan with the Accident Prevention Plan should use the updated Plan.
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 to nominate a coworker or become a committee member yourself! Contact the election coordinator of your committee to find out more information about the nomination process.
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 & Safety Department (EH&S).
In January, Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency related to a measles outbreak.
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, wearing these items in the lab can expose you to hazards. We recommend keeping an appropriate change of clothes and shoes in the lab. Proper lab attire ensures your skin is covered and protected. Even if you aren't working with hazardous materials that day, your coworker might be, so always dress to protect yourself.
The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) is implementing a new Boating Safety Program for students, faculty, and staff who use University of Washington (UW)-owned boats or operate boats as part of their affiliation with the University. The Boating Safety Program is a University-wide program that manages not only motored vessels, but non-motorized paddle-craft as well.
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 evaluates and mitigates potential health risks related to working with research animals.
New label requirements are in effect as of April 28, 2019.
The Washington State Department of Ecology has updated the hazardous waste regulations to incorporate the EPA’s “new generator improvement” rules.
During your lab’s next EH&S survey visit, you will be asked a new question from the survey checklist if PPE is adequately available for everyone. The desired response to this question is a confident “Yes!”
