EH&S is thrilled that Denise Bender is leading our newly created Occupational Safety & Health section and overseeing programs to reduce the risk of injury from occupational hazards in non-research work areas on the UW Seattle campus.
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:
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OLD LABEL |
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A recent study in the Journal of Chemical Education showed that graduate research students can make great strides in improving safety culture by taking a “bottom-up” approach to positively influence adherence to lab safety guidelines and policies.
If you practice a few simple healthy habits during influenza (flu) season, you can help us avoid going home sick for the holidays.
Here are a few tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reducing your exposure to illness:
Maker spaces, also known as fab labs and hacker spaces, are places to gather, exchange ideas, invent and create. These spaces are found in libraries, dormitories, academic and other workshops, both on and off campus, and they may contain some of the same hazards as other research or fabrication shops.
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.
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.
EH&S has new autoclave tools to assist you including general autoclave safety guidelines, autoclaving biohazardous waste guidelines with template SOP, both with step-by-step instructions for autoclave users.
