Latest News

 

Record chemical inventories for research vessels in MyChem

 

Personnel working on UW research vessels can now add their chemical inventories into MyChem, the University’s chemical tracking system. UW employees who use chemicals or chemical-containing products at any UW owned or leased facility are required to maintain chemical inventories in MyChem, and chemicals can include, but are not limited to, paint, compressed gas cylinders, epoxies, and fuel.

 
 

Incident Insights: Hazardous energy leads to a fan belt injury

On January 31, 2022, a UW employee was assigned to replace the motor-pulley V-belts on a supply air fan that was part of a multiple fan system. The maintenance worker turned off the electricity to the supply fan motor and removed the V-belt guard to gain better visibility of the belts. The fan stopped, but airflow from the other supply fans on the system caused the supply fan, under repair, to move in the reverse direction. The worker placed their gloved hand on the moving belts to stop the movement, and their hand was pulled into the belt and pulley system.

 
 

New Caution Sign features

Laboratories, shops and maker spaces where hazardous materials are used or stored are required to post an up-to-date caution sign at the entrance. The sign alerts emergency responders and visitors of potential hazards and precautions for entry. EH&S debuted a new version of the caution sign with the release of the new MyChem platform.

 
 

Updated Reproductive Hazard Guidelines

EH&S released newly revised Reproductive Hazard Guidelines to inform employees, students, and volunteers about potential reproductive and developmental hazards, and safe work conditions and practices in their work environment.

Individuals who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should be aware of the risks associated with potential exposures to biological, chemical, radiological, and other hazardous materials during pregnancy.   

 
 

New Anesthetic Gases Safe Use Guidelines published

EH&S has developed a new document Anesthetic Gases: Safe Use Guidelines and an Anesthetic Gases webpage to help users of anesthetic gases understand the potential health effects from exposure to anesthetic gases, and to provide guidance on minimizing potential exposures. These gases can be separated into two categories: Halogenated anesthetic gases/vapors and nitrous oxide.