The University is implementing the Provost’s Task Force on Laboratory Safety’s recommendations to develop a more robust laboratory safety oversight and management program, particularly regarding chemical and physical hazards in research and teaching.
EH&S hosts the 2019 Laboratory Safety Awards & Innovations Event on Monday, December 9, at the HUB.
Researchers will present new tools and best practices they have invented and put into effect this past year to improve the culture of safety in their laboratory spaces. Awards will be given to labs and departments in recognition of their achievements in safety culture.
Gravitec Systems Inc. issued a product safety alert for MSA WORKMAN® MINI & V-EDGE™ WEB 8ft/2.4m PFLs equipment. The alert requests users of this equipment to perform an enhanced pre-use inspection to determine fall clearance, as it was discovered that some WORKMAN MINI PFL units have greater fall clearance than specified in instruction manuals.
EH&S launched a new version of the Lab Safety Dashboard that offers a Self-Inspection Tool that allows PIs and CHOs to conduct and record an audit of their laboratory spaces using the lab survey checklist.
October is National Biosafety Month, a time to focus on your lab’s biosafety practices and policies. For 2019, EH&S is focusing on biosafety beyond the lab. We are encouraging you to reflect and seek opportunities to strengthen your practices related to biohazards outside of the lab.
1. Transport biohazards safely
Keep these two posters in an easily accessible location in your workspace.
EH&S has a new Spill Response Poster that instructs you what to do in the event of a radiological, chemical or biohazardous spill. For all spills, you should S.W.I.M.:
A slip, trip or fall can have a serious impact on a person’s health and well-being.
Many safety measures and the use of PPE can prevent spills and exposures to hazardous materials. However, if you do experience an exposure, your safety, and the safety of others, depends on your response to the incident.
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) developed the UW Lead Safety Program Manual to help personnel who work with lead materials limit their potential lead exposure to the lowest levels possible. Lead is a potent poison, which may cause significant acute and chronic health effects if not used or handled safely.
Personnel working with lead-containing materials:
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) can help prevent work-related injuries or illnesses by eliminating or controlling hazards. A JHA is a method for identifying and evaluating hazards associated with tasks (steps) for a specific job or activity and eliminating or controlling them before doing the activity. EH&S has created a JHA webpage to help departments and employees conduct and implement JHAs for their work activities.
